A seismic event shook the Moroccan football community with the resounding chant of “One, Two, Three, Viva l’Algérie,” heard echoing across the Sania Ramel Stadium in Tetouan during the match between Union de Tanger and Union Touarga last Thursday.
Officials from Union de Tanger celebrated their victory, clinching a 2-1 win, with chants of “Long live Algeria” and “One, Two, Three, Viva l’Algérie,” lauding the stellar performance of Algerian international goalkeeper, Gaia Marbah, in the same match.
The move sparked widespread controversy, prompting Moroccan media and social media users to criticize the management and officials of Union de Tanger.
In response, Union de Tanger issued an official statement refuting any questioning of the loyalty of its members. This came after a video surfaced showing the president alongside several members chanting “Long live Algeria.”
The same source clarified that it closely follows with great surprise and astonishment the simultaneous and coordinated appearance of some posts on social media platforms, attempting to give these chants a political dimension.
The aim was to portray the team officials as against the higher interests of Morocco.
Union de Tanger strongly condemned what it described as a “despicable approach,” stating that its purpose was to disrupt the positive results the team has achieved recently.
It considered any attempt to question the loyalty and commitment of the team members to the nation’s principles and higher interests as destined to fail miserably.
Finally, it emphasized resorting to legal action against all parties and entities behind this “vile campaign” and the spread of rumors against the team.
