Algerian commentator Hafid Derradji has reacted with anger and sarcasm to the sanctions imposed by the Confederation of African Football on Algeria following the team’s quarter-final clash against Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Algeria were eliminated from the tournament after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Nigeria in the quarter-finals, a result that brought their AFCON campaign to an abrupt end.
In the aftermath of the match, CAF announced a series of disciplinary measures against the Algerian national team and the Algerian Football Federation, prompting sharp criticism from Derradji.
Taking to his account on “X”, the veteran commentator did not hold back in expressing his displeasure.
“Outrageous sanctions against Algeria.. Out of all the national teams and players, CAF decided to punish goalkeeper Luca Zidane and defender Rafik Belghali by preventing them from participating with the Algerian national team in two matches within the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations,” he wrote.
He continued: “It also imposed financial penalties on the Algerian Football Federation amounting to $100,000 in total, and while awaiting the expected sanctions against Senegal, the African champion, the African Union overlooked punishing the Algerian people for their attachment to their homeland, their defense of their values, principles, dignity and the positions of their country, and for their patience and high sportsmanship that they displayed throughout the days of the tournament.
“I liked the sanctions imposed on the federation because of the fans’ actions, which CAF described as behaviours that harm the reputation of the game on the continent… Wow… they said reputation.”
CAF’s disciplinary decision included suspensions and multiple fines stemming from both on-field and off-field incidents during and after the match. Goalkeeper Luca Zidane was handed a two-match suspension to be served during the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, while defender Rafik Belghali received a four-match ban, with two of those matches suspended, also to be applied in the same qualification campaign.
Financial penalties were also imposed, including fines for improper conduct following the issuance of four yellow cards, inappropriate behavior by players and officials after the final whistle, the use of flares by supporters, the throwing of projectiles from the stands, failure to respect security procedures after fans attempted to breach barriers, and insulting and offensive gestures by fans who raised banknotes towards the match officials.
