Algerian influencer Sofia Benlemmane found herself at the center of a storm as she was arrested, deported, and handed a lifetime ban from the Ivory Coast.
The arrest occurred following the dissemination of a video in which Benlemmane used derogatory language and made disparaging remarks about the Ivory Coast during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The video, widely circulated on social media, compared Ivory Coast unfavorably with Algeria, claiming Ivorians lived in misery akin to the prehistoric era. Benlemmane's bold statement that Algeria should be situated between Portugal and Spain added fuel to the fire.
The incident, considered a crackdown on xenophobia, reflects the tournament organizers' commitment to maintaining unity and celebrating diversity.
