Controversy over the referee’s decision not to send off Lionel Messi in Argentina’s match against Algeria has spilled beyond sports and triggered a backlash across the Arab world. The dispute intensified after Algerian journalist Mustapha Al-Maazouzi made inflammatory remarks during a live broadcast, tying Messi’s treatment to what he called a Jewish lobby and accusing FIFA president Gianni Infantino of not wanting Algeria to succeed at the World Cup.
In the remarks aired on June 20, 2026, Al-Maazouzi said, “Messi is protected. They admitted it. Messi is protected by the Jewish lobby. This lobby controls the world, they run it as they want, like a mafia. Infantino does not want us to do well.” He also claimed that Algeria’s political positions on international issues, including the Palestinian issue and Western Sahara, affect how the country is treated in world football. He argued that even if Algeria were capable of winning the World Cup, others would work to prevent that.
The controversy began after Argentina beat Algeria 3-0, with Messi scoring a hat trick. During the match, Messi was involved in a disputed challenge with Algerian defender Issa Mandi, as he attempted to reach the ball but struck the player’s leg. The referee only called a foul and did not issue even a yellow card, despite protests from some spectators and commentators.
The VAR team also did not intervene, a decision that drew criticism from some professionals who said a red card should at least have been considered. The incident has continued to fuel anger over the officiating and over Al-Maazouzi’s comments, which crossed into antisemitic rhetoric.
