A quiet judicial decision has triggered loud outrage across Algeria. A 22-year-old supporter from Kabylia, Lyes Guernine, reportedly received a two-year prison sentence after attending a local league match wearing the jersey of the Moroccan national team.
The incident occurred on January 2 during a match between JS Kabylie and MC Alger at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou. Prosecutors accused the young man of “undermining national unity,” a charge that quickly ignited debate on social media.
Activists and journalists later brought the case to public attention, stressing that the supporter had no political affiliation and simply wore the shirt in a football context. The timing proved sensitive, as the episode took place during AFCON 2025, a tournament marked by visible moments of solidarity between Algerian and Moroccan fans despite strained diplomatic relations between Algeria and Morocco. Many observers see the sentence as disproportionate and symbolic of broader tensions around identity and expression.
The controversy continues to grow as the young man’s family reportedly avoids speaking publicly out of fear of reprisals. Online, the case fuels questions about freedom, justice, and the place of football in a politically charged environment. For many Algerians, this affair goes far beyond a jersey and reflects deeper unease within society.
The post Algeria controversy as fan jailed for supporting Morocco first appeared on Africa Top Sports.
