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As the Moroccan team’s journey at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar reached its end after an astonishing match between Morocco and France in the semi-finals, conspiracy theories surfaced online.
Some users claimed that Morocco won the first matches only to exclude other teams, to make Argentina win this 22nd edition of the World Cup since the French team fell ill to a “mysterious illness.”
A user claimed that Morocco’s loss was a conspiracy by FIFA to make France win. “A few very obvious calls going against Morocco. FIFA conspiracy for France to win?”
“A final between Argentina and Morocco wouldn't be as hyped as a final between Argentina and France, commercially and all that stuff,” another user tweeted.
In the same context, a user wrote: “Can you imagine how much money FIFA would’ve lost if it was a Morocco-Croatia final? It’s all a joke. They need France and Argentina in the final. I hate conspiracy theories but just too many things coming together.”
Critics Of Referee César Ramos
Football fans took to social networking platforms to criticize referee César Ramos’ decisions during the semi-final match between Morocco and France.
Users said the referee was biased and favored the French team denying the Atlas Lions’ “well-deserved penalties.”
This wave of criticism went serious after the yellow card given to Sofiane Boufal when he and French Theo Hernandez collided. “The Moroccan player did not commit a foul, and his team should have been awarded a penalty,” users said.
Other referees, professional players, and football experts also questioned Ramos’s decision. “This is worth discussing. Was it a penalty? yes or no?” Spanish former professional player Iker Casillas asked.
“I think that's a penalty. Anywhere else on the pitch, it's a foul. So why is that not a penalty? It definitely isn't a booking for Boufal. It's out of order,” football expert Rio Ferdinand clashed during a BBC live coverage. Meanwhile, other football supporters have suggested that a penalty should have been awarded to Morocco.
Images from the scene on the pitch went viral, fueling conspiracy theories suggesting that the referee was biased and FIFA wanted Morocco to lose the game.
Conspiracy Theorists Use Psychological Tools
As the digital age progressed, the psychological tools used to evoke strong feelings in readers became the bedrock of many conspiracy theories.
Despite the extensive literature on misinformation and emotional manipulation in persuasion, less is known about how emotions are used in conspiracy, debunking messages, and public engagement on social media.
“Talking about the conspiracy theories and the existence of a secret deal that took place under the table after the French team defeated the Atlas Lions is not correct,” Professor of political communication Mohamed Abdelwahab Allali told weekly Al Ayam Moroccan newspaper.
“Would we have said the same thing if we had been crowned winners over France?” he asked.
“These conspiracists violate the principles of football and creative competition and even disturb the Moroccan public's joy in celebrating the national team achievements,” he added.
According to some studies, people are drawn to conspiracy theories when they are uncertain about specific situations.
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