Mounting frustration over officiating in Algeria’s Ligue 1 Mobilis has prompted the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) to take decisive steps in a bid to restore order and credibility in the final stretch of the season.
With only eight rounds remaining in the domestic championship, the FAF convened an emergency meeting on Monday, 21 April, bringing together elite referees for a session of “mobilisation and awareness-raising.”
The meeting, held under the leadership of FAF President Walid Sadi, comes amid a wave of criticism directed at match officials over a string of contentious and widely disputed decisions.
According to a statement released by the federation the following day, the session was organised in response to what the FAF described as “shortcomings” in refereeing performances in recent weeks—shortcomings that have increasingly impacted the competitive integrity of matches.
The statement confirmed that Sadi addressed the gathering personally to express concern over the deteriorating situation.
“The President of the FAF expressed his deep concern regarding the numerous errors that have cast a shadow over recent matches,” the federation said.
“He instructed the Federal Arbitration Commission to assess these issues with fairness and objectivity, while simultaneously reinforcing the necessary support systems for referees as the season’s decisive phase unfolds.”
Refereeing in Algeria’s top flight has come under intense scrutiny in recent months, with club officials, players, and fans voicing growing dissatisfaction over what they perceive as a lack of consistency, poor decision-making, and questionable application of the rules.
As the title race tightens and relegation battles intensify, every decision on the pitch is now subject to heightened scrutiny, putting officials under extraordinary pressure.
In his remarks during the meeting, Sadi emphasised the critical role referees play in upholding the spirit and fairness of the game.
He reminded those in attendance of the immense responsibility they bear and reiterated the FAF’s commitment to supporting them through this challenging period.
“The referees must fully grasp the importance of the mission they have been entrusted with,” he said, according to the release.
“They must be aware of the impact their decisions can have on the course of a match and, by extension, the outcome of the season.”
The FAF’s intervention signals a broader effort to stabilise an increasingly volatile domestic landscape, where trust in officiating has visibly eroded.
By convening top-tier referees and launching internal evaluations, the federation is attempting to reassert control and reduce tensions before they escalate further.
Although the FAF did not outline any specific disciplinary measures or technological reforms, the emphasis on reflection, support, and accountability suggests the leadership is aiming to address both immediate concerns and longer-term improvements.
With crucial fixtures on the horizon, the effectiveness of the FAF’s response will likely determine whether the remainder of the Ligue 1 Mobilis season proceeds with a greater sense of fairness or whether the controversy surrounding referees continues to overshadow the football itself.
