Former Algerian FA President Djahid Zefizef detained in corruption investigation

The Algerian judiciary has ordered the provisional detention of former football administrator Djahid Zefizef as part of an ongoing financial corruption investigation.

On Tuesday, authorities in Algeria decided to place Zefizef in custody pending further inquiry into alleged economic crimes linked to a broader case involving multiple suspects.

According to reports from Algerian outlet “An-Nahar,” the investigating judge at the Economic and Financial Criminal Pole in Sidi M’hamed ordered the temporary detention of seven defendants.

The report stated, “The investigating judge at the Economic and Financial Criminal Pole in Sidi M’hamed ordered today, Tuesday, the temporary detention of 7 defendants at the Al-Qalaia penal institution, including the former president of the Algerian Football Federation, Djahid Zefizef, to prosecute them on charges of financial corruption.”

Sources familiar with the case indicated that Zefizef is being prosecuted in a new criminal investigation tied to a refrigeration company he previously managed. Investigators reportedly uncovered alleged financial irregularities during his time overseeing the business.

The same sources also revealed the scale of the investigation, noting that around 60 individuals have been questioned since Monday. All were presented before the public prosecutor before being referred to the investigating judge, who ordered the detention of seven suspects while the case remains open.

Algerian Football Federation appointed Zefizef as its president in July 2022. However, his tenure lasted just one year before he stepped down from the role.

His resignation followed his failure to secure a seat in the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football in 2023. He was later succeeded by Walid Sadi, who has led the federation since September of that year.