Algerian Soccer Stars Face Backlash for Attending Marrakech Comedy Festival

Islam Slimani, the all-time top scorer for the Greens, has joined his teammate Ryad Mahrez in Marrakech. Together, the two players have marked their presence at the Marrakech Comedy Festival, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. Images and videos of their presence have been circulated on social networks. This has sparked lively controversy.

Some supporters of the Algerian national team, who have still not digested Ryad Mahrez’s vacation in Marrakech, have criticized the presence of these two Algerian players at Jamel Debbouze’s festival. The latter had been accused by Mohamed Khazrouni, a former Algerian international footballer and a commentator on Algerian television Al-Bilad, of having conspired against Algeria during the refereeing of the 2022 World Cup playoff between Algeria and Cameroon. He claimed that Gambian referee Bakary Gassama has ties in France and was influenced by the Franco-Moroccan.