AFCON 2025 controversy: Algerian influencer jailed for urinating in Rabat stadium

Algerian influencer Raouf Belkacemi has been sentenced to three months in prison and fined 500 dirhams ($136) after filming himself urinating in the stands of Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.The Rabat First Instance Court issued the verdict on Monday, and Belkacemi remains in custody at El Arjate prison, about 20 kilometers south of the capital, with the right to appeal still available.The incident occurred during Algeria’s Round of 16 match against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Belkacemi recorded the act and posted the footage on social media, where it quickly went viral, sparking outrage among fans and authorities alike.The charges included violations of public decency and public order, reflecting the severity of his actions in a public sporting venue.Following the video’s circulation, Moroccan authorities arrested Belkacemi and placed him in custody before presenting him to the courts.The case highlights the legal boundaries governing behavior in stadiums, where celebrations and passions are expected to remain within socially and legally acceptable limits.Belkacemi received a consular visit from Algerian Consul General Abdelhamid Abdaoui as part of standard procedures for nationals detained abroad.