Accustomed to going off the road, the military junta that rules Algeria has once again made headlines.
By prohibiting the entry into its territory of the delegation of the Berkane Sports Renaissance, the Algerian leaders have proven, if it was still necessary, their visceral malevolence against Morocco.
Travelling to Algiers, to play the semi-final first leg of the African Football Confederation Cup (CAF) against the club of the Algiers Medina Sports Union (USMA), scheduled for Sunday, April 21, the Renaissance sportive from Berkane was banned from entering Algerian territory.
The Algerian authorities must have had difficulty appreciating that the Moroccan players wore outfits bearing the map of the Kingdom, with its Sahara.
Therefore, the players and the delegation accompanying them were detained at Houari Boumédiène international Airport in Algiers.
Algerian authorities blocked Berkane’s team at the airport for hours, even seizing their football equipment and uniforms.
The delegation had obtained authorization to travel to Algiers on a Spanish plane, thus circumventing the access restrictions imposed by Algeria on Moroccan flights.
Once again, this incident highlights Algeria's persistent tensions towards Morocco, particularly Algeria's ban on Moroccan flights since September 2021, which creates recurring problems during sporting events and other meetings between the two countries.
Latest Stories
-
Boeing strike ends as workers accept new contract
37 mins -
GAF will not relent in its quest to counter external threats – GOC Southern Command
40 mins -
Election 2024: Bawumia reiterates commitment to promote sustainable mining practices
41 mins -
Ensign Global College promotes health and community well-being at Ngmayem Festival 2024
44 mins -
Bobrisky reveals reason for leaving Nigeria
1 hour -
Tiwa Savage discloses ‘craziest thing I’ve ever done for love’
1 hour -
US states worried about election unrest take security precautions
2 hours -
Modi condemns violence after Canada temple incident
2 hours -
Barcelona hit by new flood as rescuers search Valencia basement car park
2 hours -
Labadi Beach Hotel pays over GH¢16m as dividend to SSNIT
2 hours -
Elon Musk can keep giving $1m to voters, judge rules
2 hours -
Election must not divide us, government will protect each citizen – Akufo Addo
3 hours -
Novel way to beat dengue: Deaf mosquitoes stop having sex
3 hours -
Trial begins over beheading of teacher who showed Prophet Muhammed cartoon
3 hours -
‘See you soon’ – Bobrisky jets out of Nigeria
3 hours