Algerian Football Federation President Sadi Takes a Stand Against Corruption, Spearheads Reforms
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- Walid Sadi, the President of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), remains committed to overhauling the football system in Algeria. Since his appointment at the helm of the FAF in late September succeeding Djahid Zefizef, Sadi has been wielding a metaphorical sword against lax officials, making bold decisions that have the potential to revolutionize Algerian sports and address the challenges that plagued Algerian football in recent years.
Walid Sadi Drives Forward Football Reforms, Prioritizing Transparency and Competence
Sadi, hailing from the province of Oued Souf, wasted no time in steering Algerian football towards a new direction. One of his initial bold moves was withdrawing Algeria’s bid to host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 and 2027, a decision that sent shockwaves through the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Strategic Meetings to Tackle Key Football Issues
The FAF President held regular meetings with various stakeholders in Algerian football. He initiated discussions with the presidents of professional clubs to address their concerns and find solutions to elevate the national championship’s standard. Emphasizing the need for investment in training, especially for clubs owned by national companies, Sadi demonstrated a commitment to strengthening the foundation of Algerian football.
Another pivotal meeting involved representatives from amateur clubs, players, and indebted coaches. Sadi proposed a solution to financial issues that prevented many teams from registering new players. The proposal, well-received by all parties, involves dividing the debts into four parts. Clubs settle the first part, and upon verification by FAF officials, the indebted clubs receive player licenses.
Sadi further engaged with regional football associations in late October and early November, fostering fruitful discussions to coordinate efforts for the advancement of Algerian football at all levels.
Overhauling Leadership: Meritocracy Reigns Supreme
The reform drive didn’t stop at restructuring leadership roles; Sadi also dealt with figures implicated in various controversies. The withdrawal of the mandate from Abdelkrim Medouar, president of the professional football league, was one such instance. Additionally, Sadi removed Youcef Ouzennali, the director of the Sidi Moussa training center, and Mustapha Biskri, the technical director, restructuring the federation with young and highly qualified individuals.
Anti-Corruption Crusade: Sadi’s Sword Against Mismanagement
Sadi, at the forefront of the battle against corruption, initiated investigations into financial irregularities that resulted in the massive debt accumulation of the FAF. Reliable sources within the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) have confirmed that the current president has been confronted with severe cases of financial corruption. These cases were so grave that the Ministry of Youth and Sports had to establish investigation committees to uncover the reasons behind the Federation’s rapid decline from being one of the wealthiest federations in Africa to one of the poorest in just five years. The Federation now faces debts amounting to nearly 500 billion centimes, in addition to suspicious deals that were made, most notably the Adidas sportswear issue.
FAF Takes Action: Sanctions for Malik and Ammar Bahloul
The FAF took decisive actions against figures like Ali Malek, president of the amateur football league, and Amar Bahloul, president of the Annaba regional league. Both were immediately suspended until the next FAF general assembly. The federation assigned temporary management of the amateur league to a committee overseen by FAF member Ahmed Kharchi, while a committee was formed to audit the accounts of the amateur league in Annaba. For its part, the federation has established a committee to conduct an audit of the Amateur League’s accounts. Additionally, the management of the Annaba Regional League has been entrusted to Reda Makfi and Elias Djondi, along with the Secretary-General of the Annaba Regional League. This arrangement will remain in place until the audit committee completes its assessment of the association’s accounts and management.
Stringent Laws to Halt Financial Leaks and Shield Clubs from FIFA Penalties
The Federal Office recently discussed several positive developments, including the review of the player and coach law, the reactivation of the Directorate of Management and Finance Control, which is responsible for granting professional club licenses and overseeing the deposit of guarantee funds by clubs. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of fully implementing the terms of the book of burdens, which relates to the internal management of clubs.
The decision made by the Federal Office of the “FAF” aims to address the issue of financial claims by foreigners and prevent resorting to litigation at the FIFA level. These claims have resulted in significant financial losses for Algerian clubs, particularly in cases involving foreign players and coaches. For instance, the case of Tunisian coach Kais Yaakoubi, who received a substantial sum of money – 7 billion centimes- for supervising just one training session with Constantine youth, highlights the severity of the problem.
The Federal Office’s decision will discourage clubs without sufficient funds from entering into contracts with foreign individuals. Furthermore, it will also impose limitations on the hiring of foreign coaches through random assignments.
Sadi’s Vigilance: A Resolute Stand Against Arbitration Corruption
One of Sadi’s notable achievements is the initiation of reforms in Algerian refereeing. This involved a complete overhaul of the refereeing body, with Sadi leading a drive to rectify the flaws that had impacted Algerian football’s development in recent years.
To this end, among the considerations being taken into account by the current president, Walid Sadi, is the establishment of a reform workshop to address issues within Algerian arbitration. This workshop aims to implement significant changes to the arbitration body. Additionally, the recent decision by the FAF (Algerian Football Federation) to summon the officials responsible for errors in the last round of the national championship, known as the “yellow suit” owners, is also being addressed.
President Sadi is determined to oversee the arbitration error file by thoroughly reviewing match referee and observer reports. This comprehensive analysis will allow for a comparison of these reports, enabling the president to make informed decisions and announce appropriate penalties. This proactive approach has garnered significant praise within the sports community, particularly due to the influential role that arbitration has played in the development of Algerian football in recent years.
In summary, Walid Sadi, the current president of the Algerian Football Federation, has embarked on a comprehensive reform journey, targeting corruption, financial mismanagement, and inadequacies in various aspects of Algerian football. His bold decisions and hands-on approach signal a new era for Algerian football, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and a commitment to excellence.
