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An Algerian supporter was arrested and subsequently deported from the Ivory Coast after filming some of the country’s poor areas while using derogatory language to describe it
An Algerian supporter was arrested and deported from the Ivory Coast after filming a video in which she used derogatory language towards the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations host nation.
Sofia Benlemmane was arrested, deported and banned from the Ivory Coast for life, following the widespread video that depicted the country in negative light.
“Sofia Benlemmane, an Algerian supporter, was arrested yesterday at the stadium by the Rapid Intervention Brigade following comments made against Ivory Coast,” Maghreb sports platform Actu Foot, said of the incident, involving the supporter who had travelled to Ivory Coast with other fans to watch the continental tournament. “She was expelled and banned from Ivory Coast for life.”
Benlemmane had uploaded a clip on social media which compared Ivory Coast unfavourably with her country Algeria while sousing derogatory language towards the West African nation.
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“They live in misery here. I recorded a video yesterday at the bus station, and it’s the worst, like the prehistoric era. If I had some powers, I would have brought Algerians here to witness this,” she said in the video.
“What a difference with Algeria! Long live Algeria. I thank God for giving me a country like Algeria. Normally, Algeria is not supposed to be in Africa. It was supposed to be situated between Portugal and Spain.”
Her arrest was seen as one of the ways to clamp down on incidents of xenophobia with some incidents of discrimination or tension related to nationality having been reported at the tournament.
Organisers are keen to promote unity while celebrating diversity at the tournament which has largely gone on without major incidents or disruptions.
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