Morocco's embassy in Paris announced on Monday that it has filed a formal complaint with French authorities over the public tearing and burning of the Moroccan flag, as well as verbal assaults and acts of intimidation targeting Moroccan supporters following Morocco's World Cup match against Canada.
In a statement, the embassy said it had documented what it described as "serious and unacceptable" incidents that took place after the 2026 FIFA World Cup fixture between Morocco and Canada.
The diplomatic mission condemned the acts "in the strongest terms," stressing that desecrating the Moroccan flag constitutes a serious attack on one of the Kingdom's symbols of sovereignty and unity, and an affront to the feelings of Moroccans living in France and to all those who believe in the values of respect, coexistence and peace.
According to the embassy, documented evidence showed that several individuals publicly seized, burned and tore the Moroccan flag while chanting slogans indicating their Algerian affiliation. It said the acts went beyond isolated incidents and formed part of a deliberate attempt to provoke tensions, incite hatred and disrupt public order.
The embassy also said that video footage showed women wearing Morocco national team shirts, accompanied by young children, being subjected to verbal abuse and intimidation by the same individuals.
It described such behaviour as unacceptable and contrary to the values of respect and coexistence that should prevail during sporting events.
Morocco's embassy said it had officially notified the relevant French authorities and submitted a formal complaint seeking the identification and prosecution of those responsible under French law, stressing that those involved should not escape accountability.
The diplomatic mission also expressed appreciation for the swift response of French authorities, security services and the municipality of Aubervilliers in addressing the incident, while reaffirming its commitment to public order, respect for French laws and the protection of national symbols.
At the same time, the embassy praised the sense of responsibility shown by the Moroccan community in France, saying its members remained faithful to the values of respect and fraternity that characterize Moroccan-French relations despite the provocations that accompanied the post-match celebrations.
The embassy concluded by stressing that sporting competitions should remain occasions for celebration, mutual respect and bringing people together, rather than becoming platforms for incitement, hate speech or attacks against national communities and symbols.
