Unprecedented Provocation from Sundowns
In a bewildering move that has drawn sharp criticism, the South African football club, Mamelodi Sundowns, recently shared a post on its official social media accounts featuring a map of Morocco that conspicuously omitted its southern territories. This post came just ahead of their anticipated match against Royal Army, and it has been perceived as a deeply irresponsible act by the club.
The image was intended as a promotional piece for the upcoming continental final; however, the inclusion of a truncated map of Morocco sparked outrage among Moroccan fans and officials alike. In a bid to rectify what many viewed as a significant blunder, Sundowns promptly deleted the original post and re-uploaded the same promotional image, this time without the controversial map. This action raises questions about the club's intentions, as the original depiction of Morocco's territorial integrity is considered a red line for the Moroccan people, representing their sovereignty and national unity.
This incident has also reignited discussions surrounding Morocco's ongoing diplomatic efforts regarding the Sahara issue. Over the past few years, Morocco has seen a growing number of countries recognizing its claims to the Sahara, coupled with the opening of several consulates in cities such as Laayoune and Dakhla. Additionally, a significant resolution from the United Nations Security Council last November endorsed Morocco’s autonomy proposal for the Sahara, further solidifying its position on the international stage.
The Royal Army is set to host Mamelodi Sundowns this Sunday at 20:00 GMT+1 for the return leg of the Africa Champions League final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The first leg of the encounter ended with Sundowns taking a narrow victory of 1-0.
As reported by m.elbotola.com.
