Rabat – The South African Football Association (SAFA) has announced its decision to withdraw from the FUTSAL Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Morocco is set to host the competition from January 28 to February 7 in the southern city of Laayoune, Western Sahara.
The move to withdraw from the competition comes after Morocco announced its decision to hold the competition in Laayoune.
“The South African Football Association (SAFA) has decided to withdraw from the FUTSAL tournament after Morocco insisted on hosting the tournament in Laayoune,” the federation announced in its Twitter on January 15.
The South African Footbal Association (SAFA) has decided to withdraw from the FUTSAL tournament after Morocco insisted on hosting the tournament in Laayoune which is in disputed Western Sahara
— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) January 15, 2020
The African country concluded the statement, describing Laayoune as part of Western Sahara, calling it a disputed region.
The federation’s Twitter posted a quote from SAFA’s acting CEO Gay Mokoena, who said that the country is aware of the possible fine from CAF and other repercussions following our decision to withdraw from the FUTSAL tournament.”
The decision to withdraw from the competition is another hostile move from South Africa, as it continues to challenge Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Relations between Morocco and South Africa have fluctuated since 2004 when Rabat recalled its ambassador to South Africa due to Pretoria’s decision to recognize the self-proclaimed SADR.
We are aware of the possible fine from CAF and other repercussions following our decision to withdraw from the FUTSAL tournament but this was a difficult decision which we had to make – SAFA acting CEO, Gay Mokoena
— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) January 15, 2020
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has also pledged his country’s continued support to breakaway group the Polisario Front.
South Africa received first Moroccan ambassador to South Africa in October 2017 after 15 years of frozen diplomatic relations.
The Moroccan ambassador, Youssef Amrani, shared with Morocco World News his ambition regarding the future of diplomatic relations.
He said the embassy will work to reinforce ”bonds of friendship” and cooperation between the two countries.
South Africa, however, perseveres in its hostile actions, suggesting that complete normalization between the two countries will not be achieved until the Western Sahara conflict reaches a resolution.
In December 2019, Pretoria’s Minister of International relations Naledi Pandor questioned Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in a speech at the Algerian embassy event.
“In this 21st century, when many countries have gained their independence from oppressive colonialism, we still have a whole nation living in Tindouf camps, Algeria, and unable to enjoy their territorial rights,” said Pandor to a large audience.
