Former Algerian Football Federation (FAF) president Charaf-Eddine Amara has been placed in pre-trial detention as part of a new investigation into the organization of the 2023 African Nations Championship (CHAN), judicial sources have confirmed.
The decision, issued by the investigating judge of the third chamber of the economic and financial criminal division in Sidi M’hamed, was approved by the public prosecutor.
Amara is being investigated for alleged corruption linked to contracts awarded for the continental tournament, particularly concerning expenses for the opening and closing ceremonies and other costs exceeding the state-allocated budget.
Authorities have also scrutinized contracts covering accommodation, catering, transportation, and equipment, reportedly identifying irregularities in tender procedures and breaches in legal protocols for awarding contracts to service providers.
At the conclusion of the investigation, Amara was charged with “abuse of office” under Article 33 of Algeria’s anti-corruption law.
The indictment was upheld by the Algiers Judicial Council following an appeal.
During his hearing, Amara stressed that he assumed the FAF presidency on 15 April 2021 and that the specifications for CHAN 2023 had been drafted and approved by the Confederation of African Football and Algeria in 2018, under the leadership of former FAF president Kheireddine Zetchi.
He added that his role had been limited to supervising the existing local organizing committee and replacing members who had left the federation.
Amara also noted that he and the federal bureau had collectively submitted their resignations on 31 March 2022.
This marks the second pre-trial detention for the former executive.
On 21 December, he was previously detained in connection with a separate investigation into his tenure as CEO of the public group Madar Holding.
The case has intensified scrutiny on the financial management of CHAN 2023 and raises broader questions about governance and accountability within Algerian football administration.
