Rabat – Many Moroccans are taking to social media to respond to a provocative act from the Algerian delegation, which recently arrived in Morocco to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Viral photos circulating on Algerian media and social media show the delegation staying covering a portrait of King Mohammed VI in their hotel with curtains.
The provocative move sparked a strong reaction across the country, with many condemning the act as disrespectful to the host country.
Some of the Algerian social media pages are also using other provocative acts, including displaying a divided map of Morocco, presenting the country’s southern provinces as a distinct entity.
Such acts reflect Algeria’s longstanding hostile agenda to challenge Morocco’s territorial integrity, with Algiers hosting, financing, supporting, and sheltering Polisario – a separatist group claiming independence in southern Morocco.
As they took to social media to respond to these offensive acts, Moroccans expressed their frustration and disappointment with the Algerian delegation’s needless courting of controversy at a time when the continent is supposed to get together to celebrate unity and brotherhood around a shared passion for football.
“Honesty, this describes your level. It would be better if you leave our Kingdom,” One commenter wrote on X.
Read also: Morocco vs Comoros: Where, How to Watch AFCON Opener
Another chimed in, stressing, “Even in a sports competition, you are obliged to act like animals. Long live the King.”
“This act shows the world who our neighbors are,” another X commenter highlighted.
This latest incident in Algeria’s pile of Morocco-bashing stunts comes as the kingdom is busy launching a celebratory and African unity-themed welcoming ceremony for all teams taking part in the continental tournament – including Algeria.
Videos have gone viral online of Moroccan folklore bands warmly welcoming the Algerian team as they landed in Morocco earlier this week.
Footage of that welcome reception shows the Algerian team nodding to their hosts without engaging with the music and the welcoming ceremony.
Other African teams engaged enthusiastically with their receptionists’ music, with viral videos showing them dancing and embracing the welcoming feasts granted to them as part of the tournament.
In the midst of this latest controversy, some of the Algerian fans who have travelled to Morocco to attend the tournament were filmed sharing excitement and emphasizing the strong bonds between the Algerian and Moroccan peoples.
AFCON will kick off today, with an opening match between Morocco and Comoros at 8 p.m.
Ahead of the game, Morocco will host an opening ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
