Algerian Pundit Faces Backlash for Dismissing Morocco’s Historic World Cup Run

The historic run of the Moroccan national team, which reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first African team to reach this level of the competition, does not seem to be an important achievement for Berich, who is convinced that the Algerian team would have done better and even reached the final if it had taken part in the 2022 World Cup. Speaking on the Algerian channel Echorouk News, the sports analyst minimized the historic performances of the Atlas Lions in Qatar, which he considers the result of behind-the-scenes manipulations and arrangements.

The controversial Algerian journalist seemed to imply that Cameroon’s victory over Algeria in the two-legged World Cup playoff was due to political maneuvers, recalling that important matches in African football have always been influenced and that Algeria also resorted to these practices during major African tournaments. For Berich, Algeria must work to have influence within CAF and FIFA in order to ensure its qualification for the next international competitions.

Berich’s statements have sparked the anger of Internet users, some of whom consider them biased and unprofessional. Others believe the sports journalist has tried to hide Algeria’s poor performances since it won the 2019 CAN. Others support the idea that Berich has only denounced conspiracy theories, leaving aside the real problems plaguing African football.