Moroccan Fans in Doha Criticized for Phone Use During Match, Lack of Support

Moroccans have taken to social media to criticize the prevalent use of phones and lack of support for Morocco’s national team during the Atlas Lions’ first 2022 World Cup match on Wednesday.

Rabat – Moroccans have taken to social media to criticize the prevalent use of phones and lack of support for Morocco’s national team during the Atlas Lions’ first 2022 World Cup match on Wednesday.

The team played against 2018 runners-up Croatia, and came out of the match with a goalless draw.

But while some foreign fans expressed amazement at the crowd’s enthusiasm, some Moroccans were not happy with the distractions in the crowd, calling on fans to be more supportive in future games.

“Without a doubt, many of you noticed during yesterday’s match that the audience did not have a big effect on that match,” an Instagram account dedicated to Moroccans living in Qatar posted. “Even though we were numerous we unfortunately did not feel it.”

The account pointed to Tunisians’ enthusiasm during their game with Denmark, praising them for showing more support for their team even though they were reportedly less numerous.

“It reached the degree where at one point, Hakimi was raising his hands to the audience to support the players,” the account continued.

Critics told supporters that while it is normal to want to take pictures and document the World Cup on their social media, it should also be accompanied with support for the team, especially pointing to the use of smartphones during the national anthem.

Morocco ended Wednesday’s match against Croatia with a goalless draw, a result that was seen as positive by head coach Walid Regragui, seeing as their opponents were the 2018 World Cup runners-up.

On Sunday, the Atlas Lions will be facing Belgium and hope to get a victory against one of Europe’s top sides in order to strengthen their chances of reaching the knockout stages of the competition.

The Moroccan team has expressed confidence in the lead up to the game, citing the result against Croatia as a source of motivation. It remains to be seen however how the potential absence of key players Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui will affect the team.