Youcef Belaili’s Esperance return confirmed after CAS lifts suspension

Youcef Belaili has been cleared to continue his career with Esperance de Tunis after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) accepted his appeal and lifted the one-year suspension imposed on the Algeria international.

Esperance de Tunis announced on Thursday evening that the sanction against the 34-year-old had been removed, allowing the new contract he had already signed with the Tunisian club to come into force.

Belaili had been suspended in connection with a dispute involving his former club AC Ajaccio and an alleged case of document falsification. The punishment was originally due to remain in place until March 2027.

The player brought his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which ruled in his favour. The decision immediately removed the obstacle preventing him from formally continuing with Esperance de Tunis.

The Tunisian side had announced in June that it had reached an agreement in principle with Belaili over an extension. That deal, however, was dependent on the outcome of the CAS proceedings and could not be activated while the suspension remained in force.

Esperance de Tunis has now confirmed that the contract is active. Belaili can therefore officially rejoin the club’s “sang et or” squad and resume his spell in Tunis.

The forward had made 14 appearances last season, scoring four goals and providing seven assists. His campaign was interrupted first by a knee injury and then by the disciplinary case involving AC Ajaccio.

His future had also become the subject of renewed speculation in recent weeks. MC Alger announced that it had reached an agreement with Belaili and hoped to bring the former Algeria international back to the club if the CAS decision went in his favour.

However, Belaili has ultimately chosen to remain with Esperance de Tunis rather than return to MC Alger, the reigning three-time Algerian champions.

The decision brings an end to the latest twist in a career that has already included several changes of direction. For Esperance de Tunis, the key development is that their number 10 is now officially available again and can continue a relationship that had been placed on hold while the court considered his appeal.

Belaili’s return also means the club’s agreement with the Oran-born player is no longer provisional. His future had remained uncertain while the suspension was under review, but the CAS ruling has now resolved that issue and allowed Esperance de Tunis to move forward with the player in its squad.