It has been reported that Morocco has threatened to withdraw from the CHAN 2023 tournament, which is set to take place in Algeria, due to the lack of direct flight options between the two countries. This is a result of the ongoing feud between the two nations over the disputed territory of Western Sahara, which has led to the cutting of diplomatic ties and a ban on Air Morocco flights entering Algeria. As a result, the Moroccan team would currently have to travel via France in order to participate in the tournament, which has caused concern for their ability to defend their title.
The Western Sahara dispute is a long-standing conflict between Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) over the territory of Western Sahara. The territory, which is located on the northwest coast of Africa, was previously a Spanish colony until 1975, when it was annexed by Morocco. The SADR, which is a partially recognized state that controls about one-fifth of the territory, has been seeking independence for Western Sahara and has been supported by Algeria in its efforts. The dispute has resulted in tensions between Morocco and Algeria, including the cutting of diplomatic ties and the ban on Air Morocco flights entering Algeria. This has had a significant impact on the ability of the Moroccan team to participate in the CHAN 2023 tournament, which is set to take place in Algeria.
