CAF investigates Algeria in Morocco's Women's Africa Cup of Nations over breaching rules with black tape

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has opened an investigation into Algeria's women's national team over alleged breaches of tournament's regulations during the ongoing Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

In a statement issued on Thursday evening, CAF confirmed it had launched a probe but declined to elaborate on the nature of the violations, noting that no further comment would be made until the investigation concluded.

Though the statement did not provide details, the alleged infractions are understood to relate to actions taken by the Algerian delegation to conceal references to Morocco, the host nation. 

These reportedly include covering the word "Morocco" from official tournament insignia during media appearances, and placing black tape over the logo of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation on designated seating areas.

Algerian state media are also said to have obscured both the "Morocco 2024" tournament branding and the Royal Air Maroc logo, an official sponsor, during a press conference with the team's coach.

It remains unclear why the Algerian Football Federation sought to obscure the logos, which feature the Moroccan flag and royal crown, symbols widely associated with national identity in the North African kingdom.

This is not the first time political friction between Algeria and Morocco has spilt onto the football pitch.

Morocco-Algeria's political rivalry in football

The two neighbours have long-standing tensions, rooted in a broader geopolitical dispute over Western Sahara. 

Morocco claims sovereignty over the territory, while Algeria backs the separatist Polisario Front. The issue has sabotaged bilateral relations for decades, and football has not been spared.

In January 2023, Morocco withdrew from the African Nations Championship hosted in Algeria, after Algerian authorities refused to allow a direct Royal Air Maroc flight from Rabat to Constantine. 

Algeria had cut all ties with Rabat and closed its airspace to Moroccan aircraft in 2021, following Rabat's normalisation of relations with Israel.

During the opening ceremony of that tournament, remarks by Nelson Mandela's grandson, describing Western Sahara as "the last colony in Africa", were met with strong rebuke from Moroccan officials. 

Chants reportedly voiced by Algerian fans against Morocco further escalated tensions, prompting formal diplomatic complaints. 

CAF's Disciplinary Board later confirmed that no sanctions would be imposed on Morocco over its withdrawal, but reminded all member associations to refrain from political messaging during official events.

In a separate incident this year, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) sided with Algeria's football federation in an appeal against CAF's decision to allow RS Berkane, a Moroccan club, to wear jerseys depicting a controversial map that included Western Sahara as part of Moroccan territory. 

The Algerian club USM Alger hailed the verdict as "sporting justice". At the same time, Berkane cast it as a partial victory after CAF declined to annul the results of the previous year's semi-final ties or impose disciplinary action.

As for the current tournament, it remains to be seen how the ongoing investigation might affect Algeria's team. 

The final Group B fixture between Nigeria and Algeria is now in question, with reports from Morocco suggesting that rule breaches may have occurred. Algeria shares Group B with Nigeria, Botswana, and Tunisia.

Should CAF determine that Algeria committed violations, the team could face heavy sanctions or even expulsion from the tournament.

Morocco welcomes Algerian football fans 

Meanwhile, Morocco continues to consolidate its growing influence in African football. 

Building on the popularity of its men's team during the Qatar 2022 World Cup, and buoyed by a surge in investment and rare regional political stability, the country is preparing to host this year's Men's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, has emerged as a central figure in continental football governance. 

A member of CAF's executive committee and FIFA's ruling council, Lekjaa also serves as Morocco's finance minister. 

Under his watch, FIFA agreed to establish a development office for African football in the Moroccan capital, Rabat.

"His Majesty the King has always affirmed that Morocco is a land of welcome for Algerians", Lekjaa said earlier this month. 

"Many Algerian families live here in perfect harmony. The Algerian national team and its supporters, whether from Algeria or the diaspora, will be warmly welcomed in a country that considers them as brothers."

Morocco is set to host AFCON from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.