In Morocco, reactions are increasing in support of RS Berkane. This football club from the east of the Kingdom is at the heart of a diplomatic skirmish between Rabat and Algiers.
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With our correspondent in Rabat, Victor Mauriat
This weekend, the Moroccans traveled to the USM Alger field in the semi-final of the Coupe de la CIF. But upon their arrival at the airport, the Algerian authorities confiscated Berkane’s jerseys due to the presence of a card ofMorocco including the Western Saharaa territory claimed by Morocco and of which Algeria supports the separatists of the Polisario Front.
As soon as they returned to Moroccan soil, the RS Berkane players were given a hero’s welcome by hundreds of supporters. In front of Oujda airport, songs and ululations, a way of showing the unconditional support of Moroccans for what we call here “ the territorial integrity of the Kingdom “.
The subject is extremely sensitive in the country. In 2022, the king Mohammed VI had declared that Western Sahara was the prism through which Morocco views its international environment.
So a large majority of Botola clubs – the Moroccan championship – shared press releases of solidarity with RS Berkane. Raja and Wydad de Casablanca, the two main clubs in the country, for example, expressed their “ unconditional support » at the oriental club. “ The issue of the Moroccan Sahara is our primary, sacred and eternal cause » also writes the rajaoui club, regretting “ deeply the involvement of sport in odious political hatred »
In total, more than ten clubs showed their support for RS Berkane. On social networks, many Moroccans proudly display themselves with the jersey in question and the RS Berkane online store is relayed en masse.
Also listen againAborted match USM Algiers-RS Berkane: “Moroccan diplomacy will push the cause of Western Sahara during the next competitions”