The International Football Federation (FIFA) has once again rebuffed the expansionist ambitions of the Makhzen regime by rejecting a map submitted by Morocco that included Western Sahara. Instead, FIFA adhered to the internationally recognized boundaries that distinguish the two territories.
In an article published on Thursday by the Spanish website El Independiente, journalist Francisco Carrion reveals the deception employed by the Makhzen in presenting the evaluation report for the bid signed by the global governing body for football based in Switzerland. This report conspicuously avoids reproducing Morocco’s map, which asserts its alleged sovereignty over Western Sahara, as such claims contradict international legality and UN resolutions.
Carrion notes that the effort to legitimize Morocco’s supposed “sovereignty” over the Sahrawi territory and its resources has no basis in international law; the UN regards Western Sahara as a territory still awaiting decolonization.
He further elaborates that the technical report released last week by the Swiss-based global football authority has effectively dismantled Rabat’s aspirations. FIFA has rejected the Makhzen regime’s map and has upheld the internationally recognized map, clearly marking the distinction between Morocco and Western Sahara.
This is the second time that FIFA has dismissed the Makhzen regime’s expansionist ambitions, according to the same source.
Additionally, sources from the Royal Spanish Football Federation consulted by El Independiente confirmed that the erroneous Moroccan map and other aspects of the bid were discussed during meetings of the FIFA committee, which includes members from Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
Beyond issues of international law and UN resolutions, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) definitively invalidated two trade agreements made between the EU and Morocco in 2019 concerning fisheries and agriculture on October 4. The high court concluded that these agreements, which were made without the consent of the people of Western Sahara, disregarded the principles of self-determination and the relative effect of treaties, as highlighted by the Spanish journalist in his article, emphasizing a historic ruling that provoked the ire of the Makhzen.
