Probe after comments to 'free' W.Sahara

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said Sunday it will investigate comments made at the African Nations Championship in Algeria to "free" the disputed Western Sahara, sparking Moroccan outrage.

Western Sahara is a flashpoint for rivals Morocco and Algeria. The Algiers-backed Polisario Front has long demanded a referendum to determine the future of the former Spanish territory.

Western Sahara is a highly sensitive issue in Rabat, which regards it as an integral part of Moroccan territory.

Morocco's anger was provoked Friday by a speech in Algeria by the grandson of late South African leader Nelson Mandela made during the opening ceremony of the CHAN football tournament.

"Let us fight to free Western Sahara from oppression," Mandla Mandela told the crowd at Constantine's Mandela stadium, named after South Africa's first democratically elected president.

"Don't forget the last colony of Africa," he added, "Western Sahara."

Morocco's football federation called the statement "provocative."

CAF said Sunday it "will investigate the political statements and events at the opening ceremony of the TotalEnergies CHAN Algeria 2022."

CAF stressed its position is "to be neutral on matters of a political nature."

Morocco decided Friday not to send its under-23 team to CHAN after Algeria refused to authorize a direct flight from Rabat.

Algeria broke off diplomatic ties with Morocco in August 2021 and closed its airspace to all Moroccan flights the following month.

CHAN organizers said the team could have taken an indirect flight.

Morocco's Atlas Lions' under-23 team has won the last two CHAN tournaments.