فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
In a scene reflecting the ongoing political tensions between Morocco and Algeria, contrasting positions have emerged during the ongoing African Women’s Cup of Nations held in Morocco. The Kingdom of Morocco has provided the Algerian women’s national team with all means of comfort, logistics, security, and medical support. The Algerian team, proudly carrying their national flag, moves freely in the city of Casablanca despite the deep political disagreements between the two countries, especially Algeria’s continuous support for the Polisario Front for over fifty years.
In contrast, media reports—most notably from the French newspaper Le Parisien—have revealed attempts by Algerian authorities to censor official CAF advertising signs related to Moroccan institutions. Additionally, the Moroccan flag inside the tournament stadiums has been concealed on the players’ and technical staff’s seats using black adhesive tape.
In an article published on July 8, 2025, titled “African Women’s Cup of Nations: When Algeria Hides References to Morocco, the Host Country,” Le Parisien explained that the diplomatic and geopolitical conflict between the two countries has extended into the sports arena. Algerian media and the Algerian Football Federation have made clear efforts to hide any reference to Morocco, the host nation of the tournament.
Le Parisien highlighted several notable incidents, including the removal of the “Royal Air Maroc” logo—the official sponsor of the tournament—from advertising boards during a press conference of the Algerian team coach, replacing it with the logo of another partner company. The Algerian federation also altered tournament logos on its official social media accounts, deleting the phrase “Morocco 24” from several posts, including the official squad list.
Social media users circulated images showing black adhesive tape covering the tournament logo on the seats of Algerian players during their opening match against Botswana, which Algeria won 1-0.
Football fans in Morocco and the region are eagerly awaiting Algeria’s next match against Tunisia, scheduled for Thursday, July 10, 2025, amid heightened tension and significant attention—especially from Moroccan supporters who have expressed their discontent with these actions on social media platforms.
It is important to note that these events occur against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between Morocco and Algeria over the manufactured dispute concerning Western Sahara, the central point of disagreement between the two countries. This situation illustrates how politics can sometimes interfere with sports, despite Morocco’s efforts to provide a professional and neutral sporting environment for all participating teams.
