Algerian Football Authorities move toward establishing players’ association

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has taken steps towards creating a new association for former players, with a meeting scheduled at its Dely Brahim headquarters on Monday morning.

A letter from the FAF’s deputy general secretary was addressed to former JS Kabylie international Noureddine Driouèche, asking him to share the invitation widely with other ex-internationals.

However, the absence of a clear agenda has raised questions, though many believe the talks will focus on establishing an official players’ association in line with FIFA recommendations.

Observers have welcomed the initiative, which is explicitly provided for under the new FAF statutes, yet some have criticised the lack of transparency.

No public statement was made ahead of the meeting, leading to uncertainty about who has been invited and how the process is being managed.

One former international expressed doubts about the credibility of the gathering, suggesting that the list of attendees and even the committee members may already have been decided in advance.

The die is cast, he remarked, implying that personal connections rather than open participation were driving the process.

The proposed body would not be the first of its kind in Algeria.

The Association of Former Algerian Internationals (AAIF), created in 2009, had sought to bring together the country’s ex-players but has been largely inactive for the past two years.

Financial difficulties and leadership challenges hampered its operations, particularly after the resignation of its long-serving president Ali Fergani, who stepped down due to health concerns.

Ighil Meziane was appointed interim president during this difficult period, but the organisation remained dormant as leadership uncertainties coincided with changes at the FAF itself.

Following the election of Walid Sadi as president of the federation, hopes were raised that efforts to revive the AAIF or replace it with a stronger structure might finally gain momentum.

Currently, the AAIF is no longer represented within the general assembly of the FAF, leaving former players without an official voice in the country’s football administration.

For many, this new initiative could provide an opportunity to restore that presence and strengthen the relationship between past and present generations of Algerian footballers.

The meeting at Dely Brahim is therefore seen as a potentially decisive moment, though concerns remain over its organisation and inclusivity.

Whether this marks the birth of a renewed and functional players’ association or simply another symbolic gesture will depend on the willingness of the FAF to ensure openness, fairness, and proper support for the project.