Youssef Belammari denies online claims of support for Iran

Morocco international Youssef Belammari has rejected social media claims accusing him of supporting Iran, describing the posts as false and the result of identity theft.

The defender said messages circulating on Facebook suggesting he had expressed support for Iran were not linked to him and did not originate from his official accounts.

The controversy emerged as tensions escalated in the Middle East, drawing wider attention online and prompting confusion among supporters.

Belammari, who plays as a left-back for Egyptian club Al Ahly, moved swiftly to distance himself from the allegations.

The Moroccan international, a finalist at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with the Atlas Lions, addressed the issue publicly on Instagram in an effort to clarify his position.

“I would like to clarify that I only have one official Instagram account. All other pages or accounts using my name, photo, or identity on social media are in no way affiliated with me.

Thank you for your vigilance and for only trusting this official account.”

His statement sought to dispel any suggestion that he had taken a political stance amid the unfolding regional crisis. The timing of the claims has heightened their sensitivity.

Morocco has officially condemned Iranian strikes targeting Arab and allied countries following American attacks, placing the issue firmly within a charged diplomatic context.

Against that backdrop, the circulation of posts falsely attributed to a national team player risked creating misunderstanding.

Belammari’s response underlined that he had no connection to the accounts responsible for the messages and that any content shared outside his verified platform should not be considered authentic.

The incident highlights how quickly misinformation can spread online, particularly when global events intersect with high-profile figures in sport.

For Belammari, the priority was to correct the record and reassure supporters that the claims were unfounded.

By publicly addressing the matter, the defender aimed to bring clarity to a situation that briefly placed him at the centre of an international controversy not of his making.