Rabat – Tunisian journalist Hamza Tayachi has attracted widespread criticism for his attack on stadium organization and ticketing during a live broadcast for Tunisian television while covering AFCON 2025 Tunisia vs. Uganda in Rabat.
His remarks quickly circulated on social media, drawing criticism from Moroccan fans, journalists, and commentators who disputed his claims based on on-the-ground experience.
In the days that followed, Tayachi issued an apology for what he had said, claiming that he had been misunderstood and taken out of context.
He explained that he was referring to a brief technical issue in the media center, not to the stadium’s overall organization, and stressed that he had no intention of offending Morocco or its people.
The Tunisian television channel “Al Hiwar Ettounsi” also addressed the controversy during a special episode of the AFCON broadcast, where the host described the words of the correspondent as a “serious mistake,” acknowledging that there were some false assertions made during the initial broadcast.
The channel went on to air footage highlighting Morocco’s infrastructure and tournament organization, in what was widely seen as an effort to correct the earlier portrayal.
However, it is still unclear what the professional ramifications are for the journalist. While it was reported, mostly through social media outlets, that Tayachi was fired from his job because of the event, it was also reported that it primarily led to internal disciplinary procedures rather than a formal termination.
Neither the journalist nor the channel has publicly confirmed the exact nature of the measures taken.
The episode comes amid widespread international praise for Morocco’s hosting of AFCON 2025, with fans, media professionals, and football officials largely commending the tournament’s organization, accessibility, and atmosphere.
Many observers have cautioned against allowing isolated incidents or misstatements to overshadow the broader experience on the ground.
Read also: Tunisian Journalist Faces Backlash Over Misleading AFCON 2025 Claims in Morocco