Hafid Derradji defends commentary after Libya’s Tunisia qualifier backlash

Algerian commentator Hafid Derradji has responded to criticism in Libya following his coverage of the country’s 2-0 victory over Tunisia in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Derradji, who works for beIN Sports, said he had not intended to insult the Libyan national team or diminish the importance of its win. Speaking to Libya Alahrar, he argued that a commentator should not be expected to celebrate or mourn simply because one Arab side has defeated another.

His comments followed a statement from Libya’s General Syndicate of Sports Media Professionals, which criticised his performance during Friday’s match at the Taieb Mhiri Stadium in Sfax. The syndicate said some of his remarks appeared to favour Tunisia at the expense of Libya’s “Knights of the Mediterranean”.

The criticism went beyond the commentary itself, with calls for Derradji to be suspended from working on beIN Sports and for him not to be assigned to future Libya matches. The dispute has prompted wider debate over the limits of professional neutrality when Arab teams meet.

Derradji said his role required him to assess the action without adopting an emotional position or offering praise merely to satisfy supporters. His primary responsibility, he explained, was to describe the match and analyse what happened on the pitch, rather than use his voice to reflect national loyalties or meet public expectations.

He drew a distinction between Libya playing another Arab nation and facing a team from outside the region. If Libya were playing Botswana, he said, he would clearly support the Libyan side. But in a match between two Arab teams, he does not believe he is obliged to prefer one over the other or display feelings that do not represent his actual view.

The commentator also criticised supporters who, in his view, expected him to show hypocrisy, pay compliments and back their national team simply because it was facing another Arab side.

Derradji said he had not celebrated Libya’s victory and had not been saddened by Tunisia’s defeat. Instead, he judged the teams according to their performances. He acknowledged that Libya played well and deserved praise, while saying Tunisia produced a poor display. A lack of exaggerated enthusiasm for Libya’s win, he added, should not be interpreted as an attempt to undermine the players’ achievement.

The match saw the “Knights of the Mediterranean” claim three points through goals from Ali Youssef and Hamdou Elhouni. Youssef converted a penalty in the 44th minute before Elhouni doubled Libya’s advantage in the 62nd minute.

The result took Libya to four points from three matches, while Tunisia remained on two. It increased the significance of the teams’ next meeting in the battle to qualify.

Libya’s syndicate said the commentary had failed to reflect the superiority shown by the Libyan team and called for respect for professional codes and impartiality. It stressed that its objection was not based on Derradji’s nationality or his right to express emotion, but on what it described as a belittling of Libya’s victory. It also urged commentators to avoid language that could fuel intolerance or damage relations between the Maghreb peoples.