Diplomatic tensions have seen reigning champions Morocco threaten to withdraw from the African Nations Championship (CHAN) title in Algeria next month.
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Algeria is set to host the CHAN tournament between 13 January and 4 February 2023, but the competition could take place without the current trophy holders as the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has now stipulated certain conditions for their involvement.
The Atlas Lions have stated that they will travel to the home of their north African neighbours only if they are able to fly directly from the nation's capital of Rabat to the Algerian city of Constantine, where all their group-stage fixtures will be played.
The two nations severed ties with one another following a breakdown in diplomatic relations in 2021, subsequently leading to Algeria closing off its airspace, but the FRMF have now insisted that should their request be denied, their U23 side will not be participating in the tournament.
"Contrary to the information conveyed during the past 24 hours, we have requested that the plane which will transport the national team on January 10 be authorised to land at Constantine airport, host city of the matches of the national team," the president of the FRMF, Fouzi Lekjaa, said, as per Le 360 Sport.
"And of course, the official carrier for all national teams is Royal Air Maroc."
Lekjaa was part of a Moroccan delegation that sent correspondence to CAF in a bid to have African football's governing body enforce this ultimatum on the Algerian government.
According to beIN SPORTS, CAF has notified the host nation and now await a response, with the publication stating: "The Minister of Youth and Sports, Abderezak Sebgag, told us that Algeria has received a request from CAF regarding the decision of the Moroccan Federation which requests a direct flight to Constantine, adding that the response from the Algerian authorities will be given in the next 24 hours."
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The same year Algeria and Morocco severed diplomatic ties, the Atlas Lions became the first side to retain their CHAN title when they defeated Mali 2-0 in the final in Yaounde, Cameroon.
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