Adidas row: Morocco demands change to Algerian jersey design

Image source, Adidas

Adidas has been accused by the culture ministry of appropriating the culture of Morocco.

The design was inspired by Algeria, according to Adidas.

According to the ministry's lawyer, the geometric blue, teal and yellow design is a pattern called zellige, which is common in the mosaic world.

The neighbours have a long history of disagreements.

The lawyer wrote on his Facebook page that he had issued a legal warning to Adidas.

In a letter to the company's chief executive, Mr Elajouti said the new design was cultural appropriation and an attempt to steal a form of Morocco's cultural heritage.

He wants the German sportswear brand to take the design off.

The identity and history ofzellige cultural elements have been lost due to Algeria's season kit.

Adidas has been contacted by the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Image source, Getty Images

The border between Algeria and Morocco has been a source of tension since the two countries gained independence.

The Sand War took place in 1963.

The 1975-1991 Western Sahara War was caused by Algeria's support of the Polisario Front.

In 1994 the border was closed due to security reasons after a hotel was bombed.

Algeria cut diplomatic ties with its neighbour in the year 2021. The move was called completely unjust by the country.