Algerian pundit sparks uproar with antisemitic claims after Messi incident
Anger in Algeria has continued after Lionel Messi was involved in a controversial foul during Argentina’s 3-0 World Cup win over Algeria, with many believing he should have been sent off. Messi was not shown a card, and the VAR team did not intervene, intensifying resentment over the officiating.
Over the weekend, popular Algerian commentator Mostafa Al-Mazouzi escalated the reaction with openly antisemitic conspiracy theories. He claimed, “Messi is protected. They admitted it themselves,” and said, “Messi is protected by the Jewish lobby. This lobby controls the world, it leads the world however it wants, like a mafia.”
Al-Mazouzi also attacked FIFA president Gianni Infantino, alleging that world football authorities do not want Algeria to succeed because of the country’s positions on Western Sahara and the Palestinian issue. He said Algeria is “a country of honor” and added, “Even if we had the ability to win the World Cup, they would find a way to prevent it from us.”
The dispute comes amid the fallout from Argentina’s 3-0 victory and the broader debate in Algeria over the referee’s handling of the Messi incident. The article does not report any official response from FIFA or Messi.
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