A report circulating in Moroccan media has claimed that Olympique Safi took extraordinary measures to protect the Moroccan flag during their recent trip to Algeria for a CAF Confederation Cup fixture.
According to a source cited by Al-Sabah newspaper, the Safi delegation allegedly hid the national flag inside a small refrigerator upon arriving in Algeria last week, out of fear that it could be confiscated by Algerian intelligence services.
The Moroccan side travelled to face USM Alger in the final round of the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Olympique Safi returned from the match with a draw, a result that allowed both teams to qualify for the next round of the competition.
However, the focus, according to the report, extended beyond football matters due to what it described as strict security measures imposed on the Moroccan delegation.
It was further claimed that the Safi team underwent an extensive inspection at the airport by customs and intelligence services, with even the players’ kits reportedly subjected to scrutiny.
The source alleged that this was evident after team shirts were found scattered despite having been carefully packed in the luggage.
Despite these circumstances, Olympique Safi officials are said to have devised a plan to display the national symbol. Small stickers bearing the Moroccan flag were allegedly concealed among the team’s belongings and placed on the shirts just minutes before kick-off, allowing the players to appear on the pitch with the flag visible.
The report added that several Algerian officials were visibly taken aback when the Moroccan flag appeared at the centre of the pitch, particularly as Safi players posed for photographs with it before the start of the match.
