Arab Cup 2025: Morocco faces accusations of spreading false claims after Algeria–Iraq refereeing row

Algeria’s A’ team secured a 2–0 win over Iraq on Tuesday in the decisive Group D match at the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar, and the result immediately triggered a wave of controversy fuelled by fabricated claims circulating among some Moroccan supporters.

Algeria entered the match with confidence and maintained control throughout the encounter.

Qatari referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim oversaw the fixture and made a decisive call in the 5th minute when he showed a red card to Hussein Ali Al-Saedi for a studs-up challenge on Yacine Brahimi.

His decision followed the laws of the game, yet it inflamed online debate because of the intense rivalry that surrounds Algeria and Morocco.

Certain Moroccan accounts reacted by promoting false narratives aimed at discrediting Algeria’s win.

They circulated claims suggesting manipulation in the officiating and attempted to frame the result as the product of external influence rather than Algeria’s performance on the pitch.

The commentary quickly spread online, amplifying the tension and adding unnecessary hostility to the sporting debate.

Clarifications soon surfaced. Al Jassim did referee the Algeria–Iraq clash, and the regulations allow his presence despite the claims circulating online.

Meanwhile, Mexican referee César Arturo Ramos handled the France–Morocco match, contradicting the misinformation shared across social platforms.

Context also weakens the accusation of favoritism. Algeria already stood on the brink of the quarter-finals before facing Iraq, and the team approached the match with confidence rather than desperation.

The Fennecs continued their strong run in the tournament, and their players delivered the result without relying on any external factor.

The spread of false claims now highlights the extent of the rivalry, with some supporters choosing confrontation over accuracy.

The match produced a clear result on the field, yet the surrounding noise shows how quickly misinformation can overshadow sporting achievements.