Raja Casablanca forward Yousri Bouzok has sparked controversy ahead of the team’s opening group match in the African Champions League, citing objections to the club’s new jersey. The jersey, which includes a map of Morocco featuring the disputed territory of Western Sahara, has led Bouzok to announce his refusal to wear it.
The match, which sees Raja Casablanca face AS FAR Rabat in an all-Moroccan clash on Tuesday, has been overshadowed by Bouzok’s stance.
His decision is particularly sensitive, as the dispute over Western Sahara remains a politically charged issue between Morocco and Algeria.
Western Sahara is a region claimed by Morocco but also supported by the Polisario Front, which advocates for independence, with Algeria backing the latter’s position.
Sources close to Bouzok report that the player has expressed his firm stance against wearing the jersey, insisting, “I will not go back on my decision, whatever the cost,” according to African football journalist Micky Junior.
✨Our premium official first jersey for CAF Champions League glory 🦅 pic.twitter.com/9NlUE1y9kb
— Raja Club Athletic (@RCAofficiel) November 25, 2024
The refusal is viewed by some as a gesture of principle, aligning with Algeria’s official position on the territorial dispute.
Bouzok, who hails from Algeria, is said to be cautious about his relationship with his country’s authorities, making his position on the matter particularly sensitive.
This dispute echoes a similar controversy in April, during the Confederation Cup semi-final between RS Berkane and USM Alger.
In that case, RS Berkane arrived in Algeria with a jersey that featured the disputed map of Morocco, leading to tensions between the teams.
USM Alger demanded that the jerseys be replaced with ones that did not feature the map, which eventually led to a forfeit of the first leg, with CAF awarding RS Berkane a 3-0 win.
Understand:
Algerian player, Yousri Bouzok, refuses to play tomorrow when Raja takes on AS FAR in the Champions League unless he wears a jersey with tape covering the map of Morocco.
He doesn’t want to take the risk; otherwise, he might face issues with the authorities in his… pic.twitter.com/KZZOPCh5jc
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) November 25, 2024
Bouzok’s refusal to wear the controversial jersey raises further questions about the intersection of football and politics in the region, with both Moroccan and Algerian communities closely watching the unfolding situation.
As Raja Casablanca prepares to kick off its group stage campaign, the club will now face the challenge of navigating the potential fallout from Bouzok’s decision, as well as the broader political ramifications tied to the conflict over Western Sahara.
