DR ‹ › Tunisian journalist Hamza Tayashi, sent by the Tunisian TV channel Al-Hiwar El Tunsi to cover the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, sparked controversy following his comments after Tunisia's 3–1 win over Uganda. During a televised intervention, Tayashi relayed false information about the Tunisian team's stay, notably claiming that a power outage had occurred at the stadium. His remarks triggered widespread criticism, especially as he was speaking from a poorly lit location, which many viewers interpreted as an attempt to lend credibility to his claims. Moroccan media outlets later reported, citing «reliable sources», that the Tunisian channel had decided to recall and replace its correspondent amid mounting backlash on social media. However, Tayashi reappeared later the same evening in a live broadcast from Rabat, during the program «Les Nuits de la CAN» aired on Al-Hiwar El Tunsi, where he issued an apology for his inaccurate statements. «We are still in Rabat, as usual… I would like to clarify that I had no ill intent in my statements; it was a misunderstanding. My remarks were spontaneous, and in our profession we produce several reports a day… We have already spoken about the pleasant atmosphere at the Rabat stadium, the warm welcome, and we thank the Moroccan people for their support of the Tunisian team». He added that the reported power outage «was limited to the media room and did not last long, while conditions inside the stadium were good». Tayashi went on to say: «If my words offended or affected anyone in Morocco, I offer my apologies. We are brothers and will remain so. I had no intention of causing harm, as you are our brothers and we love you». For its part, Al-Hiwar El Tunsi acknowledged a professional error on the part of its correspondent, admitting that false information had been aired and issuing a formal apology: «Our correspondent Hamza Tayashi committed a serious mistake by referring to events that did not occur, which upset our friends in Morocco. We sincerely apologize».
