One of Africa's biggest teams has confirmed its request to have a CAF final cancelled later this month.
USM Alger has revealed that they have written to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to have the CAF Confederation Cup final cancelled.
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The Algerian outfit was essentially disqualified from the competition after government officials confiscated semi-final opponents RS Berkane's kit due to the jersey featuring a map of the Western Saharan region, an area that is politically contested Algeria and Morocco. USM then refused to take to the pitch for the second leg away from home because the same kit was worn.
Upon reviewing the matter, CAF decided to award Berkane a 3-0 win over USM for both the home and away fixtures, with the former advancing to the two-legged final against Zamalek on 12 and 19 May.
However, USM appealed the decision and took it to CAS, arguing that Berkane's kit made a political statement, with the organisation later confirming they had begun the process of reviewing the matter, although the case is said to still be at an early stage.
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USM have since followed this up with another letter to CAS, asking for the Confederation Cup final to be cancelled or postponed pending the outcome of their appeal.
"Today is 6 May and we sent the last file to the CAS after sending the first file following the first leg," USM president Kamal Hassina told Africa Foot.
"I confirm that the position of the USM is strong in this case because we have appointed a competent lawyer and I believe in justice. So why hire a lawyer if I had no doubt about our rights?
"USM Algier was ready to play the first match in Algeria by making all the arrangements.
"We asked the CAS not to play this final or to postpone it through our lawyers.”
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