BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- In a bold move, Walid Sadi, the President of the Algerian Football Federation, has declared his decision to boycott the upcoming CAF Awards ceremony scheduled to take place in Morocco. Sadi emphasized that he will not attend the event, expressing solidarity with Algerian football star Riyad Mahrez and the Union Sportive de la Medina d’Alger “Medina Algiers Sports Union” (USMA).
Addressing the media, Sadi stated, “I will not attend the CAF Awards ceremony. I have informed CAF of my decision, and, with the grace of God, no Algerian will be present at this event in solidarity with Riyad Mahrez and the Union Sportive de la Medina d’Alger.”
The announcement comes amid growing controversy surrounding the exclusion of Riyad Mahrez, the celebrated Algerian footballer, from the final list of nominees for the CAF Player of the Year award. Many, including prominent figures within Algerian football, have criticized the decision, considering Mahrez’s outstanding performances and contributions during the previous season.
Renowned Algerian sports commentator, Hafid Derradji, expressed strong disapproval of Mahrez’s exclusion from the final list of nominees for the African Player of the Year award. He described it as a “farce” and decried the decision, especially considering Mahrez’s outstanding achievements, including a historic treble with Manchester City.
Derradji took to his social media platform to highlight Mahrez’s remarkable stats during the 2022-2023 season, showcasing 17 goals and 19 assists with Manchester City. He pointed out the significant achievements of Mahrez, securing the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup titles, questioning the altered criteria for the prestigious award.
Meanwhile, Riyad Mahrez responded to the controversy through an Instagram story, sharing a video featuring his extraordinary skills during his time with Manchester City. The video includes a symbolic gesture of “silence,” interpreted by some as a message directed towards the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after his official exclusion from the award.
The exclusion of Riyad Mahrez from the list of nominees has sparked widespread debate, with many questioning the criteria and transparency of the selection process. The controversy unfolds amid accusations of Moroccan interference in African football, adding a new layer to the intricate dynamics of the continent’s football scene.
