ALGIERS- In a shocking turn of events, the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) is once again in the spotlight for its questionable decisions and disregard for national interests. The impending scandal, centered around FAF’s decision to hold the national team’s training session in Tunisia without informing the Ministry of Youth and Sports, threatens to tarnish Algeria’s reputation on the international stage.
FAF’ Secretive Move to Tabarka
Dzair Tube sources have uncovered FAF’s clandestine plan to host the national team’s training session in Tabarka, Tunisia, starting on September 4th, where they are set to face Tanzania and Senegal. What makes this move particularly alarming is the complete lack of transparency and communication with the Algerian Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Secretary-General Mounir Debbichi and FAF’s official spokesperson, Salah Bey Aboud, opted to keep this decision hidden from Minister Abderrahmane Hammad, who had expressed his willingness to provide all necessary resources to ensure the team’s optimal preparation. This covert operation, carried out without any official notification to the responsible authorities, raises questions about FAF’s accountability and its commitment to the country’s sports sector.
Ignoring the Ministry Amid Crisis
The situation becomes even more troubling as it unfolds against the backdrop of FAF’ severe financial crisis, stemming from mismanagement and a staggering financial deficit amounting to 450 billion centimes. Despite the availability of alternatives, including the well-equipped military complex in Ben Aknoun, FAF has chosen to squander public funds by opting for training in Tunisia. This decision reflects a blatant disregard for the dire financial straits the federation finds itself in.
The Sidi Moussa Debacle
Moreover, FAF must be held accountable for the deplorable state of the Sidi Moussa training center, which has garnered considerable attention for its subpar conditions. The deterioration of the ground at Sidi Moussa was first exposed by the Dzair Tube website, corroborated by prominent media figures like Hafid Derradji. Instead of earnestly seeking solutions to ensure the team’s optimal training conditions, FAF resorted to denying these accusations and insisted that Sidi Moussa Stadium was suitable for the national team’s training camp. This, however, turned out to be a misleading statement, as FAF subsequently announced the transfer of the training camp to Tunisia, further undermining its credibility.
Consequences for Algeria’ Sporting Ambitions
FAF’s decision to move the training camp to Tunisia not only reflects a lack of accountability but also poses a significant setback to Algeria’s ambitions to host the 2025 or 2027 African Cup of Nations (CAN). Algeria, under the guidance of its highest authorities, has invested substantial resources in building sports facilities and infrastructure that meet international standards, showcasing its capability to organize major sporting events. However, FAF’s recurring questionable decisions and apparent disregard for national interests threaten to jeopardize Algeria’s prospects of hosting CAN and damage the country’s sporting reputation on the international stage.
As the Sidi Moussa scandal continues to unravel, questions loom over FAF’s motives and the impact of its actions on the nation’ sporting future. It remains to be seen whether FAF will be held accountable for its decisions, and whether Algeria can recover from the damage to its reputation in the world of sports.
