\n<\/p>\n
Moroccan side Renaissance Berkane have been awarded a 3-0 win over USM Alger in the first leg of their Caf Confederation Cup semi-final despite refusing to play after their kit was confiscated by Algerian customs officials.<\/b><\/p>\n
The shirt Berkane intended to wear features an extended map of Morocco which includes the disputed territory of Western Sahara.<\/p>\n
Algeria sees the map as a political provocation and officials seized the kit when Berkane arrived in the country last Friday.<\/p>\n
In Sunday’s aborted first leg, hosts USM Alger took to the field ahead of kick-off but the visitors remained in their dressing room and the match was called off.<\/a><\/p>\n Berkane have used the same jersey throughout this season’s competition – as well as a similar design in previous continental campaigns.<\/p>\n The Confederation of African Football’s interclub competitions committee decided to award a victory to Berkane and referred the case to a disciplinary commission for possible additional sanctions.<\/p>\n When asked for clarification on the decision, a Caf spokesperson told BBC Sport Africa the matter had been dealt with “by competent structures that are independent of the administration” of the governing body.<\/p>\n “Caf, at both administrative and leadership level, does not have a position here,” the official added.<\/p>\n The second leg of the semi-final is set to be held in Berkane on Sunday.<\/p>\n USM Alger are the holders of the Confederation Cup, while Berkane lifted the trophy in 2020 and 2022.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n