French club Olympique de Marseille has withdrawn a recently launched Africa-themed jersey from sale after controversy erupted over the depiction of Morocco on its design.
The Ligue 1 side unveiled the “OM Africa” shirt on Friday as part of a collaboration with sportswear manufacturer Puma, describing it as a tribute to the club’s deep links with the African continent.
However, the design quickly drew criticism from Moroccan supporters and activists who said the map featured on the shirt showed Morocco without the territory of Western Sahara.
Images of the jersey circulated widely on social media, with critics describing the map as incomplete and accusing the club of misrepresenting Morocco’s territorial boundaries.
The issue rapidly gained traction online, prompting calls for the shirt to be withdrawn.
Shortly afterwards, Marseille removed promotional materials featuring the jersey from its official platforms. The product page also disappeared from the club’s online store, signalling a swift response to the backlash.
🚨 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗘́𝗠𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲 𝗹𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗠 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮. ❌🌍🔵⚪️
Sur les maillots, PUMA a dessiné une carte du Maroc… sans le Sahara. 🇲🇦
Une représentation qui a provoqué la colère de nombreux Marocains, d’autant plus sensible que la… pic.twitter.com/Og4q5ieenL
— Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) February 14, 2026
Neither Marseille nor Puma immediately issued a detailed statement explaining the decision, but the removal suggests the club sought to defuse the controversy.
The design featured a stylised map of Africa incorporating the borders of 54 countries. Observers noted that Morocco appeared without Western Sahara — a territory whose status remains disputed internationally and politically sensitive within Morocco, where it is widely regarded as an integral part of the kingdom.
The controversy has also drawn attention to Mehdi Benatia, Marseille’s sporting director and a former Morocco international, with some critics questioning whether greater scrutiny could have prevented the design’s approval.
Marseille has historically maintained strong ties with African players and supporters, with many high-profile African footballers having represented the club. The “OM Africa” collection had been positioned as a celebration of that heritage.
The episode highlights the sensitivities surrounding cartographic representations and territorial disputes, particularly when global brands and sports organisations engage with politically complex regions.
For now, the jersey has been withdrawn, but the incident underscores how quickly sporting marketing initiatives can become entangled in geopolitical debate.
