Credibility Under Scrutiny: Media Outlets Circulate Fake Marca Report on Raja vs. Ittihad Tanger Red Card

Several websites and radio stations found themselves embroiled in controversy after circulating a report attributed to the Spanish newspaper Marca. The report concerned the red card shown to Ittihad Tanger player Bilal El Oudghiri during his team's match against Raja Club Athletic, which took place last Sunday evening as part of the 13th round of the Professional League.

These outlets disseminated the content of the report, presenting it as if it originated from the Spanish newspaper, without verifying its authenticity. They claimed that Marca had covered the red card incident, which the referee issued in the 31st minute. However, a search of Marca's official website and digital accounts revealed no trace of such a report, confirming that it was incorrect content widely circulated.

An altered image and a fabricated news item were promoted across social media platforms before being shared without verification of their accuracy or original source. This contributed to its rapid spread and created the impression that it originated from a well-known international media outlet.

This incident reignites the discussion about the importance of verifying news before publication, especially when attributing statements or reports to international media institutions. Journalistic practice mandates confirmation from official sources to avoid disseminating inaccurate information.