MC Alger take Youcef Belaïli dispute with ES Tunis to FIFA

Algerian club MC Alger have taken their dispute over forward Youcef Belaïli to FIFA, arguing that the player remains under contract with the club and should not be registered with Tunisian side ES Tunis.

MC Alger have formally challenged Belaïli’s status with football’s world governing body as the disagreement over his contractual situation continues.

The Algerian club’s position is that Belaïli is still their player and, as a result, should not be allowed to complete registration with ES Tunis.

The dispute places the experienced Algeria international at the centre of a contractual battle between two of North Africa’s leading clubs.

Belaïli has a long association with ES Tunis, having previously enjoyed successful spells with the Tunisian giants. His return to the club has now become the subject of a legal dispute, with MC Alger seeking FIFA intervention over his registration.

MC Alger’s decision to approach FIFA means the matter could ultimately be determined by football’s governing bodies if the two clubs fail to reach an agreement.

For ES Tunis, the challenge creates uncertainty over Belaïli’s registration and his availability to represent the club while the case is being considered.

MC Alger, meanwhile, are maintaining that their contractual claim gives them the right to prevent the forward from being registered elsewhere.

FIFA will now have to consider the documents and arguments presented by the parties before determining Belaïli’s status.

The case is likely to attract significant attention in Algeria and Tunisia given Belaïli’s profile and his importance to both club and country.

Until FIFA reaches a decision, the dispute over whether Belaïli remains an MC Alger player or can be registered by ES Tunis remains unresolved.