By Iman Alaoui | ALDAR
In a fresh controversy during the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations—hosted by Morocco in a festive atmosphere and under high-level organization—a new refereeing scandal has emerged, this time involving a member of the Algerian officiating crew. The incident has reignited suspicions about attempts to politicize sports and exploit football fields to settle political scores.
The controversy unfolded during the match between Ghana and Mali, when the Algerian referee appointed to officiate the game appeared in the first half wearing an official uniform featuring the logo of Royal Air Maroc (RAM) on her sleeve. RAM is one of the official sponsors of the tournament, as stipulated in the event’s hosting contracts and the regulations set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
However, what caught attention was that the referee reappeared in the second half wearing a different uniform—this time with the Moroccan logo removed. This move raised many questions, especially after reports emerged suggesting she had received “special instructions” during the halftime break from Algerian officials, who—according to media sources—reject any form of indirect recognition of Moroccan institutions, even in the context of international sporting events.
The incident did not go unnoticed. CAF’s organizing committee promptly announced an urgent investigation into the matter, with strong indications that strict disciplinary action could be taken against the referee in question due to her clear violation of the tournament’s uniform regulations. These rules require all referees to respect official CAF-approved logos and the branding of tournament sponsors.
This episode adds to a growing list of questionable actions by certain Algerian figures participating in African sports events. Similar breaches have been recorded in previous editions, raising serious questions about Algeria’s commitment to fair play and respect for continental institutions.
It is worth noting that Morocco has received widespread international praise for its outstanding organization of the tournament, even as some parties attempt to undermine this major continental success.
