A report aired by Qatar’s beIN Sports channel sparked widespread controversy in Mauritania when Moroccan journalist Youssef Al-Saïhili addressed Morocco’s historical borders during his coverage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal. Al-Saïhili stated that “Morocco’s borders extended to the Senegal River,” referencing a baseless historical period. These remarks deeply offended Mauritanians, who viewed them as an assault on their national sovereignty.
Reference to a Similar Past Incident
Sources recall a comparable event in 2018, when former Secretary General of Morocco’s Istiqlal Party, Hamid Chabat, made similar statements that ignited outrage, forcing Morocco’s royal palace to officially disavow them. Then-Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane and current Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita were dispatched to Zouerate to meet former Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and deliver formal apologies.
Complex Historical Background
The roots of this issue trace back to the 1960s, when Moroccan claims over Mauritania circulated, with some asserting Mauritania was part of the Moroccan kingdom. Morocco relinquished these claims after officially recognizing Mauritania as an independent state on September 22, 1969, during the first Islamic Summit held in Rabat. King Hassan II received Mauritanian President Moktar Ould Daddah and announced full recognition of Mauritania’s sovereignty, nine years after its independence on November 28, 1960. This marked a pivotal step in improving bilateral relations after a period of tension and Morocco’s initial rejection of Mauritanian independence, ushering in a new era of cooperation.
Regarding Western Sahara, Morocco officially acknowledged Mauritania’s new borders through bilateral agreements. Border disputes were resolved under the 1975 Madrid Accords, which divided Western Sahara between Morocco and Mauritania. The final partition agreement in 1976 allocated the southern third of the territory—known as “Rio de Oro” or Southern Western Sahara—to Mauritania, while the larger portion went to Morocco. However, after Mauritania’s withdrawal from Western Sahara, it expressed no further territorial ambitions and adopted a stance supporting a peaceful, permanent resolution to the conflict.
Following the beIN Sports report that triggered this controversy, diplomatic action from the Mauritanian government via official channels with Qatari authorities is essential to prevent recurrence. For Mauritanians, the Mauritania-Morocco relationship is sacred and must be respected; no party should undermine or exploit it through media or other platforms.
Moreover, beIN Sports’ intervention in historical and political matters exceeds the bounds of sports coverage and violates journalistic ethics, which demand separation between sports and politics. This jeopardizes media credibility, as outlets must maintain total neutrality and balance when addressing sovereignty and border issues between states. Accordingly, relevant sports authorities like FIFA and CAF must hold the channel accountable to prevent the politicization of sports, which could harm inter-state relations. Sports should remain insulated from political interference to foster the sporting spirit and people-to-people cooperation.
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