DR ‹ › Algiers became the focal point this Wednesday with the inauguration of the «Sahrawi Football Federation». The Algerian capital is set to host a match this weekend, featuring the Polisario team against former stars of the Fennecs. This event is part of the festivities celebrating the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of the «Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic» on February 27, 1976, as reported by local media. It is worth recalling that in May 2023, Algeria organized a match between the Polisario football team and Mouloudia of Algiers. This event was largely overlooked by the local public, despite significant efforts by the authorities to draw attention. In a twist of irony, Algeria previously criticized a report by the French daily L'Equipe, published in January 2021, which focused on the Kabylie football team. The official Algerian press agency APS lashed out, stating: «The daily L'Equipe is heavily criticized: it shamelessly engages in 'checkbook journalism', a practice favored by the Kingdom of Morocco. This so-called Kabyle national team is a complete Moroccan fabrication. Kabylie has its national team, which is the Algerian team», the agency declared. Algeria has consistently failed to persuade the African Football Confederation (CAF) to accept the Polisario's membership, with the most recent attempt falling through in June 2023. It's important to note that during the 43rd Ordinary and Elective General Assembly of CAF, held in March 2021 in Rabat, Morocco successfully advocated for a statute that prohibits entities not recognized by the UN from joining any international organization of a cultural, sports, or other nature.
