‘Voice Dipped in Blood:’ beIN Sports Urged to Fire Algerian Journalist Hafid Derradji

Rabat – Algerian sports journalist Hafid Derradji is yet again facing a wave of backlash from outraged netizens from across the Middle East and beyond for suggesting that Syrians’ ill-advised attempt to topple their “legitimate president” is the main reason for their country’s ongoing plight.

Thousands of internet users from across the world have launched hashtags on various social media platforms to urge beIN Sports to fire the commentator Hafid Derradji for making such “irresponsible” comments.

Derradji is well-known for being a headlines-thirsty commentator with a penchant for combative and controversial remarks on hot-button issues in MENA politics. Still, many commenters have taken to the internet to call out the Algerian journalist for attacking Syrians and accusing them of betraying their country.

The incident started after a heated debate between Derradji and Syrian television commentator Faisal Al-Kasim, who denounced Algeria’s interference in the affairs of other countries, including Morocco.

Al-Kasim recalled Algeria’s collusion with Iran, whose proxy Hezbollah provided military training and logistical support to the Polisario Front.

Morocco cut ties with Iran in 2018, accusing its proxy Hezbollah of direct collusion with Polisario separatists under the oversight of the Algerian regime.

Recalling Algeria’s interference and “conspiracy” against Arab countries, Faisal Al-Kasim also slammed Algiers and questioned its professed goal of “reuniting Arabs” at the upcoming Arab League summit to be held in the North African country.

Derradji supports Assad regime

In response, Derradji tweeted a controversial post in which he criticized Syrians for causing the destruction f their country.

“The important thing is that we do not betray, we do not sell our country, our cause, our honor, and we are not proud of the destruction of our country in order to bring down our president,” Derradji said, suggesting that Syrians’ thirst for political reforms is to blame for their country’s ongoing plight.

A leaked phone conversation between Derradji and a Syrian activist, Maysoun Berkdar, who disguised herself as an employee at the Syrian presidential palace triggered more controversy.
During the phone call with the beIN Sports journalist, Berkdar said she wanted to thank Derradji for his “brave positions.”

The activist, who is known for being an outspoken critic of the Syrian regime, told the Algerian journalist about Bashar Al Assad’s admiration for Derradji.

Derradji responded by expressing pride, saying: “This is a duty, convey my greetings to him [Bashar] and tell him that we respect him.”

‘Hypocritical commentator’

The statement was met with anger and fury among Syrian netizens, especially the activists and dissidents opposing the Bashar al Assad regime. Many have since launched a series of hashtags to denounce Derradji’s remarks and urge beIN Sports to sack him.

One of the viral hashtags wrote “Voice Dipped in Blood” to condemn Derradji’s support for the Syrian regime despite its well-documented war crimes.

Ahmed Rahhal, a Syrian activist condemned Derradji’s comments and called on beIN Sports to fire the commentator following the backlash.

“To beIN Sports, we will not be watching any games displaying this hypocrite as a commentator. Derradj promotes criminals and supports their killing of oppressed people,” the activist said.

“Shame on you for insulting Syria and Syrians,” wrote another netizen.

Some Algerian Twitter users also joined the campaign, stating that Derradji does not represent them.

“You do not represent us… We are revolutionary, we love revolutionaries. Our revolution has been taken from us many times because of you and people like you, mercenaries and media of shame, supporters of dictatorships and the military,” an Algerian Twitter user wrote.

Other commenters pointed to Derradji’s association with and support for what they described as the Algerian regime’s hypocritical stance on issues such as freedom and self-determination.

Among this group was political content creator and journalist Abduljalil Alsaeid, who slammed the Algerian sports commentator for his support of his country’s regime.

While styling itself as a supporter of the Palestinian cause and of other oppressed people around the world, Alsaeid argued, the Algerian regime “kisses France’s hands.”

Algerian journalist Oualid Kebir also commented on the controversy, saying that Derrajdi has “created strife” among Arab peoples and “contributed to deepening wounds and disputes.”

He especially pointed out Derradji’s controversial comments on Syria have both geopolitical and personal significance, emphasizing that the Algerian sports commentator has notably offended the state of Qatar (which owns beIN Sports) with his confession that he supports the al-Assad regime, “which is responsible for the biggest crime of the 21st century against the Syrian people.”

As he is well-known for his controversial tweets and combative televised comments targeting Morocco and challenging its territorial integrity, Derradji is no stranger to backlash.

In January, Morocco’s Lawyers Club filed a complaint against the beIN Sports journalist after he appeared to insult Moroccans in a series of leaked messages. The club notably urged beIN Sports to sack the Algerian commentator for his unacceptable “attacks on Moroccan women’s honor and the dignity of Moroccan society.”