Espérance Sportive de Tunis has formally appealed to FIFA in a bid to overturn the suspension of Youcef Belaïli, following the Algerian winger’s controversial yellow card during their 1-0 victory over Los Angeles FC at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Belaïli was booked in the 52nd minute after a VAR review led referee Espen Eskås to overturn a penalty decision and instead issue a caution for simulation.
The yellow card, his second of the tournament, triggers an automatic one-match ban—ruling him out of Espérance’s decisive final group-stage match against Chelsea on June 25 in Orlando.
The Tunisian club, dissatisfied with what it described as an excessively harsh decision, has turned to FIFA in hopes of having the suspension lifted.
In a statement, Espérance argued that the booking lacked fairness, particularly given the significant impact of Belaïli’s contribution to their campaign so far.
The 33-year-old was instrumental in Espérance’s win over LAFC, scoring the match-winning goal in the 70th minute and earning widespread acclaim for his performance.
With the Blood and Gold still fighting for qualification to the knockout rounds, the absence of their talismanic forward could prove a major setback.
“The warning was too harsh,” a source close to the club insisted. “Belaïli’s role in the team is crucial, and the decision to suspend him for such a key fixture is difficult to accept. That’s why we’re turning to FIFA—we believe justice must be done.”
Espérance’s legal team has submitted all necessary documentation and expects a ruling from FIFA within 72 hours.
The club remains cautiously optimistic that the governing body will reverse the decision, allowing Belaïli to feature in what is likely to be the group’s most challenging encounter.
Chelsea, a giant of English football, pose a formidable test for the Tunisian side, and Belaïli’s experience and creativity would be sorely missed.
His absence could tilt the scales in a match already stacked against Espérance, who are considered underdogs heading into the tie.
Until FIFA delivers its verdict, Espérance’s hopes remain in limbo.
For now, the club is standing firm in its defence of Belaïli, banking on a successful appeal to keep their World Cup dream alive—and their star man on the pitch.
