DZWatch Exclusive: The Qatari sports network, beIN SPORTS, is once again the target of a coordinated media campaign originating from Morocco. This latest wave of criticism stems from unconfirmed reports circulating on Moroccan platforms regarding the potential removal of commentator Jawad Badda from covering Moroccan national team matches. The alleged suspension follows an incident during a Morocco-Cameroon game.
While beIN SPORTS has yet to issue an official statement confirming or denying the reports, pro-government Moroccan media outlets have already launched a campaign, transforming a potentially routine professional matter into a manufactured conflict with the network and its alleged “Algerian elements.”
The focus of the campaign isn’t the validity of the suspension itself, but rather the manner in which it’s being addressed. Instead of awaiting official clarification from a media organization known for its professional standards, these outlets have seized upon the unconfirmed reports, using them as a springboard for a politically charged narrative that implicates Algeria and seeks external justifications for internal issues.
If Badda’s mistake warrants internal disciplinary action, it would align with standard practices in major media outlets, where commentators are held accountable for unprofessional conduct or the blurring of lines between sports commentary and inflammatory rhetoric. However, Moroccan media outlets frame this as a deliberate targeting, revealing deeper underlying tensions.
A recurring question within this campaign is: “Why isn’t Hafeez Derradji penalized?” The answer is straightforward: Derradji, another commentator for beIN SPORTS, adheres to professional standards during his broadcasts. His on-air commentary remains within the bounds of sports analysis. His political views and criticism of the Moroccan government are expressed independently, outside the beIN SPORTS platform, on his personal social media accounts.
Derradji, with a substantial online following, doesn’t leverage his position at beIN SPORTS to promote political agendas. He expresses his opinions openly and transparently, using his own platforms. The key difference is that Jawad Badda, with a relatively smaller media presence, appears to attempt to amplify his views through a global broadcasting platform.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and media maneuvering between the two countries, where even sports commentary can become a battleground for political agendas. DZWatch will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as they become available.
