Algerian Referee Removes RAM Logo During WAFCON Game

Morocco World

3 days ago

Rabat – The Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024, currently hosted in Morocco, has been overshadowed by a growing number of controversies involving the Algerian delegation.
The latest incident occurred during a group stage match between Mali and Ghana, where Algerian referee Ghada Mehat reportedly removed the logo of Royal Air Maroc (RAM) from her official uniform while officiating the game. RAM is one of the official sponsors of the tournament and the national airline of the host country
According to converging reports, Mehat was following strict instructions from Algerian authorities to avoid any association with Moroccan symbols or sponsorships.
This incident is not isolated. Several actions by Algerian representatives have raised concern in recent days. During official press conferences, the Royal Air Maroc logo was digitally removed from sponsor backdrops when Algerian players or staff appeared in front of the media.
In one press event, Algerian state TV edited footage to erase the Moroccan airline's logo and replaced it with the logo of a different sponsor, in blatant violation of both media integrity and CAF's commercial regulations.
Algerian players and staff were also accused of defacing official accreditation badges by removing the word 'Morocco' and covering Moroccan football emblems on team benches with black tape.
These repeated actions have been widely condemned in Moroccan media and by several African football commentators as unnecessary politicization of a sporting event meant to celebrate unity and talent across the continent.
In response to the growing outrage, CAF has opened an investigation into the Algerian women's team and its conduct during the tournament.
However, critics argue that CAF has so far shown a lack of firmness.
The situation escalated further after a separate incident involving CAF itself. During the tournament's opening ceremony, international broadcasters aired promotional footage that depicted Morocco without its southern provinces, a move that sparked immediate backlash in the country.
Although the footage was produced by CAF and not by Moroccan broadcasters, the error was seen as highly sensitive. The Moroccan national channel Arryadia, which retransmitted the feed, distanced itself from the incident. CAF eventually issued a formal apology and pledged to revise the video content.
The controversy has sparked widespread anger among Moroccan fans and officials. Several commentators have called on the Moroccan Football Federation to take a stronger stance and demand concrete action from CAF. Many believe that without clear sanctions or consequences, such political posturing will continue to disrupt African sporting events.