Bakary Gassama’s controversial refereeing still haunts Algeria’s football debate

Bakary Gassama’s name continues to stir emotions in Algeria, years after the referee’s decisions in the 2022 World Cup play-off against Cameroon.

Many Algerians still hold the Gambian official responsible for their national team’s elimination, a memory that remains painful and divisive.

The match in Blida left deep scars among supporters who believe that Gassama’s refereeing cost Algeria a place in Qatar.

The controversy has endured, resurfacing every time football debates return to that unforgettable night.

For many, the sense of injustice has become part of Algeria’s football history.

Refereeing controversies are not new to world football. England remembers Tunisian referee Ali Bennacer and the infamous “Hand of God” goal by Diego Maradona in 1986.

Italy still recalls Colombian referee Byron Moreno’s decisions that favoured South Korea at the 2002 World Cup.

Algeria’s moment of pain came through Gassama, whose performance many fans saw as decisive in their team’s downfall.

Recently, the topic re-emerged on a television programme, reigniting old tensions. The discussion drew sharp reactions from commentators and social media users.

Critics and influencers repeated the same accusations, reviving anger and suspicion among supporters.

What was meant to be a simple reflection on history quickly turned into another emotional storm.

At the time, the Algerian Football Federation faced enormous pressure. Fans demanded answers and even believed the match could be replayed.

The uncertainty spread through social media, as conflicting claims confused parts of the public.

The federation struggled to manage the situation, choosing a cautious stance that satisfied neither side.

Its leadership avoided confirming or denying the possibility of a replay, fearing backlash from frustrated supporters.

That indecision eventually weakened their credibility and created more division within Algerian football circles.

The confusion provided fertile ground for speculation and misinformation to flourish online.

Today, the same voices that fueled that anger continue to revisit the issue.

Some critics use the controversy to attack former national coach Djamel Belmadi and the federation’s previous management.

They publish inflammatory statements and online posts that keep reopening old wounds.

Belmadi, who led Algeria to the 2019 AFCON title, has often faced harsh treatment from sections of the media.

Many of his supporters see the ongoing criticism as an attempt to tarnish his legacy.

The renewed debate around Gassama’s officiating has once again provided an outlet for those looking to discredit his work.

Every mention of that fateful match seems to revive the same hostility and frustration.

Social media platforms fill with heated exchanges, as misinformation spreads faster than facts.

The public remains divided between those who call for closure and those who refuse to move on.

The Gassama affair continues to symbolise how football emotions can outlast results.

For Algeria, the wounds from that night against Cameroon still feel raw.

As discussions resurface, they reveal not only a sense of loss but also the challenges of reconciling with sporting heartbreak.