Lotfi Bekouassa and Adel Abane will officiate at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after being reinstated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), marking a dramatic turnaround following their initial exclusion.
The Algerian duo were at the centre of a high-profile controversy last December, when they were abruptly suspended by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) in the aftermath of a Ligue 1 match between CS Constantine and NC Magra.
The match, which ended 0–0, saw a goal disallowed for offside—without the benefit of VAR—sparking backlash against the officials.
Acting swiftly, the FAF’s emergency committee, led by president Walid Sadi, imposed sanctions on Bekouassa and Abane, citing their decision in the game.
The federation also contacted CAF to communicate the disciplinary action, resulting in both referees being removed from the original list of officials selected for CHAN 2024, set to take place from 2 to 30 August 2025 in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Although the two appeared before the Federal Arbitration Commission (CFA) and later engaged in dialogue with CAF’s head of refereeing, Désiré Doué Noumandiez, the decision seemed final.
Their national sanction had effectively extended to the continental stage.
Yet tensions simmered beneath the surface. During a meeting between FAF leadership and elite referees earlier this year, Bekouassa publicly voiced his frustration over being excluded from the prestigious tournament.
His concerns echoed wider dissatisfaction in the refereeing community.
Even his brother, retired official Lyès Bekouassa, took to social media to criticize the FAF’s handling of the matter, pointing fingers—albeit indirectly—at refereeing official Mehdi Abid Charef.
The tide began to turn following the national A’ team’s qualification for CHAN and the tournament’s postponement.
Behind the scenes, lobbying efforts led by Djamel Haïmoudi, a respected member of the CAF Refereeing Commission, played a key role in reopening the case.
CAF has now confirmed that four Algerian officials will take part in CHAN 2024: Lotfi Bekouassa and Houssem Benyahia as central referees, and Hamza Bouzit alongside Adel Abane as assistants.
The decision marks a full rehabilitation for Bekouassa and Abane, who have resumed domestic refereeing duties since March.
Bekouassa most recently officiated during the 27th round of the Ligue 1 season, overseeing CR Belouizdad’s 2–1 win over Paradou AC at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki.
With their reinstatement, the pair are set to represent Algeria on the continental stage once again, closing a controversial chapter with a renewed opportunity to showcase their officiating credentials.
