Algerian state television drew wide criticism after viewers noticed what many described as a deliberate attempt to hide the beauty of Tangier and its stadium during recent football coverage.
Instead of showing the usual wide shots that highlight the city’s coastline and the surroundings of the stadium, the broadcast focused for long periods on tight camera angles and limited frames inside the pitch. The approach, according to observers, reduced the visibility of Tangier’s landmarks and the facilities around the venue.
The incident quickly spread on social media, where many users compared the pictures shown on Algerian TV with images circulating from other broadcasts and from fans inside the stadium. The difference in camera choice became the main point of debate, with accusations that the coverage was not purely technical but intentional.
Commentators online said the decision appeared aimed at preventing Algerian viewers from seeing the real look of Tangier and the quality of the stadium hosting the match. Several posts described it as an unusual and unnecessary move, arguing that football broadcasts should focus on the sport while also reflecting the host city in a normal way.
The controversy comes as Tangier has been promoted in recent years as one of Morocco’s key football destinations, with its stadium regularly hosting major games. The debate, however, shifted away from the match itself, with the broadcast style becoming the story.
Algerian TV has not issued an official statement on the matter, but the criticism continued to grow as clips of the broadcast circulated, with many calling for more professional and balanced coverage in future games.
