'The Jewish Lobby Protects Messi': Algerian TV Host's Shocking World Cup Rant Triggers Official Backlash
Algerian TV Pundit Claims Messi's Hat Trick Was Enabled by the 'Jewish Lobby' --- Regulators Respond
Algeria's opening World Cup match against Argentina has spiraled into an antisemitism scandal, after one of the country's most prominent sports journalists claimed on live television that Lionel Messi's performance was engineered by a Jewish conspiracy --- and Algerian regulators were forced to intervene.
The uproar followed Algeria's 3-0 defeat to Argentina in the tournament's opening match, with Messi scoring a hat trick that tied Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup record of 16 goals. Rather than accept the result, journalist Mustapha al-Maazouzi turned to conspiracy.
"Messi is protected by the Jewish lobby," al-Maazouzi declared on a local television sports program. "This lobby controls the world. They run it however they want, as if they were a mafia. Gianni Infantino" — referring to the FIFA president — "does not want things to go well for us."
Al-Maazouzi then framed the loss as part of a broader political vendetta. "We are a country with dignity, a country called Algeria," he said on air. "We have political positions regarding Western Sahara and the Palestinian issue, and that is why they do not want things to go well for us. If we had the ability to win the World Cup, they would find a way to prevent it."
The remarks drew a swift, if cautious, response from Algeria's National Independent Authority for the Regulation of Audiovisual Media. In an official statement, the regulator said it had monitored several broadcasts covering the Algeria-Argentina match and found that "remarks were heard that exceeded the bounds of professional sports analysis and descended into accusations, defamation, and inflammatory and offensive statements."
The authority called on all broadcast channels to maintain professional and balanced standards, respect individuals and institutions, and avoid "baseless accusations or inflammatory discourse." It warned that repeated violations could result in action against those involved.
The controversy is unfolding against a backdrop of broader tensions at the tournament. Earlier this year, U.S. antisemitism envoy Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun announced that the United States would bar individuals accused of promoting antisemitism from attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying that entry to the country "is a privilege, not a right."
Separately, the Algerian Football Federation filed a formal appeal with FIFA over what it called "preferential treatment" shown to Messi during the match, focusing on a controversial challenge in the 32nd minute that many felt warranted a red card. FIFA has said it is examining the complaint.
The combination of the official protest and al-Maazouzi's on-air tirade reflects the depth of Algeria's frustration following the result, but critics say the conspiracy framing is a troubling reminder that the world's most-watched sporting event is not immune to the antisemitism surge that has marked global public discourse since October 2026.