CAF apologizes after divided Moroccan map airs during WAFCON opening

A major controversy erupted during the opening of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Rabat after a promotional video displayed a divided map of Morocco. The advertisement, aired on Morocco’s national sports channel Arryadia, excluded the country’s southern provinces, sparking widespread backlash and calls for accountability.

The video was an advertisement for the Russian betting company 1XBET, whose operations are considered illegal in Morocco. Its broadcast raised concerns over both the promotion of an unauthorized company and the depiction of a map that undermines Morocco’s territorial integrity.

Observers demand accountability

Arryadia, part of the National Broadcasting and Television Company (SNRT), faced criticism for airing the controversial segment. Under Moroccan broadcasting regulations, national channels are required to thoroughly vet content, particularly advertisements involving sensitive materials or entities operating outside the legal framework.

Observers called the incident a serious breach of national standards, with many emphasizing the dual offense: promoting an illegal company and presenting a politically sensitive map.

CAF issues apology

In response to the uproar, Arryadia issued a statement clarifying that the video was not produced or selected by its team but was part of the official international feed provided by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

“The segment in question is part of the official international signal broadcast by the Confederation of African Football as part of the live coverage of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations matches,” the channel explained.

Arryadia also confirmed that CAF acknowledged the mistake and apologized to Morocco’s National Broadcasting and Television Company. “The Confederation of African Football presented an official apology to the National Broadcasting and Television Company, accepting full responsibility for this unfortunate incident,” the statement read.

CAF has since pledged to address the issue by correcting the promotional clip and implementing measures to prevent similar errors in the future.

The controversy has highlighted the importance of stricter oversight in international broadcasting collaborations, particularly for events of cultural and political significance.