Handball: Algeria abandons under-17 tournament in protest against Morocco

This Thursday, the Algerian team announced its withdrawal from the Arab Under-17 Handball Championship. After not appearing in the match with Morocco, on April 23, the Algerians confirmed their departure from the competition, on the third round.

All because the hosts – Morocco – presented equipment with the alleged map of the country. In this design, between the federation symbol and the manufacturer’s brand, the inclusion of the part of the Sahara desert that belongs to Algeria is noticeable.

They are remnants of the war between 1975 and 1991, which was never resolved. Although the ceasefire has lasted since September 1991, the geographic and independence referendum for the territory remains unsigned. Therefore, border tensions prevail.

Currently, Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Western Sahara, Sudan and Tunisia share the Sahara desert.

Algeria would play Tunisia this Thursday, in the fourth round of the 6th edition of the competition, which runs until Sunday in Morocco.