The Algerian Local Organizing Committee for the CHAN 2022 has voiced Algeria’s unwillingness to open its airspace for a direct flight from the Rabat to Constantine, where Morocco’s games are set to be played.
“We are obliged to ensure the movement of teams only on national territory,” said President of the Algerian Local Organizing Committee, Rachid Oukali.
“There is no mention in the specifications that a direct line must be made available to the teams. Most of the countries of the continent will make stopovers,” he added.
Scheduled in Algeria from January 13 to February 4, 2023, the African Nations Championship 2022 will feature African teams of players playing in their national leagues, a competition where Morocco are the most decorated and successful in Africa since its start in 2007 with two titles.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) issued a statement to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) specifying the Kingdom’s requirements ahead of the participation.
FRMF sent “a letter to CAF to advise the need to comply with the specifications of the organization of continental competitions, including facilitating procedures for participating teams.”
“In case this request is refused, the FRMF board have unanimously affirmed that the national team will not participate in the tournament,” said the statement.
“Participating teams have all communicated their expanded lists of players and various staff, thereby confirming their presence at the continental football meeting” indicated the President of the Algerian Local Organizing Committee, Rachid Oukali, Monday in Oran.
The Moroccan federal body demanded from CAF that the Cubs travel via a special flight of the Royal Air Morocco (RAM) official carrier from Rabat to Constantine, the host city of the games.
President of the Algerian LOC declared, during a press conference, held at the Miloud-Hadefi stadium, “The information relating to a possible withdrawal of national a selection are only mere rumors, because none of this was communicated to us by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), organizer of the event.”
The spokesman then expressed that the 17 selections concerned, in addition to Algeria, sent their emissaries to visit their place of accommodation as well as the sites of training and official meetings, before sending the extended lists of their players and various staff.” He did not specify of a Moroccan delegation made the visit.
Besides the FRMF decision, reports by various African media came about a possible withdrawal of the Cameroonian selection, as well as the announcement by the Ugandan Federation of its intention to forfeit the Algerian CHAN “for financial reasons”.
Algeria unilaterally cut its diplomatic ties with Morocco and closed its airspace to all aircraft registered in the Kingdom, forcing Moroccan teams to make a detour via Tunisia to reach Algeria.
Moroccan sports journalists who traveled to cover events such as the Mediterranean Games and the Arab Summit held in Algiers, were banned from entering Algeria upon their arrival at the airport.
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