Olympique de Marseille’s ‘OM Africa’ Jersey Sparks Diplomatic Row Over Morocco Map
Casablanca – Olympique de Marseille, one of France’s most iconic football clubs, found itself at the center of a significant social media storm this past week. A special-edition jersey, part of the new ‘OM Africa’ collection developed in collaboration with sportswear giant Puma, was swiftly removed from the club’s official online store following widespread backlash over its depiction of Morocco’s map.
A Tribute Overshadowed by Cartographic Error
Unveiled on Friday evening, the ‘OM Africa’ collection was designed as a vibrant tribute to African national teams and a celebration of the continent’s rich football heritage. The launch was accompanied by a promotional video shared across the club’s social media channels. This visual featured a graphic representation of the African continent, meticulously composed of the outlines of its 54 constituent countries.
However, what was intended as a gesture of continental unity quickly turned into a point of contention. Eagle-eyed online users were quick to spot a glaring omission: Morocco was depicted without its Sahara region. This cartographic oversight ignited immediate and fervent reactions, particularly from Moroccan football fans and citizens who view the Sahara as an integral part of their national territory.
Swift Backlash and Club’s Response
Screenshots of the controversial design rapidly circulated across social media platforms, amplifying the outrage. The error was widely condemned as an “egregious mistake” and a politically sensitive misrepresentation. The pressure mounted quickly, leading Olympique de Marseille to take decisive action.
The promotional video was promptly withdrawn from all of the club’s digital platforms. Shortly thereafter, the dedicated product page for the ‘OM Africa’ jersey was removed from Marseille’s official online store. Despite these swift removals, the club has, as of publication, refrained from issuing any public statement or official apology addressing the controversy.
Puma’s Lingering Presence and Unanswered Questions
While Olympique de Marseille moved to distance itself from the contentious design, the ‘OM Africa’ jersey remains available for purchase on Puma’s European online store. Interestingly, on Puma’s platform, the continent graphic appears inverted, making the contentious map less immediately discernible, although the country outlines, including the separated Morocco, are still present.
This situation is further complicated by Puma’s existing relationship with Moroccan football. The sportswear brand serves as the official kit supplier for Morocco’s national football team, the Atlas Lions, a partnership that has seen Puma produce their match and training jerseys for several years. The lack of clarification from either Olympique de Marseille or Puma regarding the initial error and the ongoing availability of the product on Puma’s site leaves many questions unanswered.
The incident underscores the increasing sensitivity around geopolitical representations in popular culture and sports, demonstrating how quickly a celebratory launch can be overshadowed by a single, significant oversight.
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