Morocco Want Adidas To Scrap Algeria 22-23 Pre-Match Shirt
Recently, Adidas officially launched the Algeria 22-23 home and away shirts as well as a pre-match shirt, which is inspired by Mechouar Palace in Algeria according to Adidas' press release.
Mechouar Palace
However, neighboring country Morocco respectively its ministry of culture alleges that the geometric blue, teal and yellow design derives from a pattern called zellige. Said pattern is found in Moroccan mosaics according to the ministry's lawyer.
The lawyer of Morocco's ministry of culture, Mr Elajouti, claims that the new design is cultural appropriation and "an attempt to steal a form of Moroccan cultural heritage and use it outside its context". This allegation was made in a letter to Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted.
Zellij mosaics
Elajouti wants Adidas to scrap the Algeria 2022-2023 pre-match jersey within the next two weeks as it "contributes to the loss and distortion of the identity and history of these cultural elements".
It is nothing new that Algeria and Morocco have tensions since the two nations clash ever since gaining independence from France in the 20th century.
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