The Algeria Football Federation has issued a threat to withdraw from the upcoming 2020 Africa Futsal Cup of Nations if host nation Morocco insists on holding the event in the disputed Western Sahara.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in Laayoune, the capital city of Western Sahara, a non-self-governing territory being disputed by Morocco and Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, which is backed by Algeria.
“The Algerian Futsal team will not participate in the 2020 Africa Futsal Cup of Nations if Morocco opts to host the tournament in Laayoune,” the body said in a statement on Friday.
CAF will hold its Executive Committee meeting on February 8, with the above issue on agenda. However, it is unlikely that Morocco will move the January 28-February 7 competition to a new venue.
South African FA withdrew its Futsal team on Wednesday for the same reasons, saying it is ready for “any consequences” from CAF. Mauritius replaced the SA team.
The eight qualified teams are Angola, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Libya, Mauritius, Morocco and Mozambique.
