Rayan Ait-Nouri’s father says Manchester City defender was ‘unjustly treated’ by Algeria

More than a week after Rayan Ait-Nouri left Algeria’s training camp unexpectedly, his father has confirmed that the Manchester City defender was involved in a long-standing dispute with Anthar Yahia.

The controversy began publicly on 25 September, when Ait-Nouri was an unused substitute during Algeria’s 3-1 victory over Zambia. He reportedly showed his frustration after being sent to warm up, before Brahim Hemdani changed his plans. Tensions then rose between the player and general manager Moussa Saib.

The following day, the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) announced that the player had been excluded from the squad. However, reports suggest the disagreement had started several weeks earlier.

According to El Khabar journalist Rafik Ouahid, who said he had spoken directly to Ait-Nouri’s father, Farouk, the initial tensions dated back to 22 August and were focused mainly on Anthar Yahia, Hemdani’s assistant.

At that time, Hemdani had not yet been appointed as Algeria manager. Yahia, a former captain of the Fennecs, is said to have tried to contact Ait-Nouri but, after receiving no response, called his father instead.

Yahia reportedly told Farouk Ait-Nouri that his son’s limited playing time at Manchester City could jeopardise his place in the Algeria squad. The player’s father is understood to have replied that the issue should be discussed directly with his son.

Ouahid also reported that Farouk reacted strongly to the possibility of Ait-Nouri being left out of the squad. He has since confirmed that he spoke to the journalist, while attempting to prevent the dispute from escalating.

“I do not want this matter to become too big. We are Algerians and we love Algeria like anyone else,” he said.

Farouk added that he believed his son had been “unjustly treated”.

There are also conflicting accounts of how Ait-Nouri left the camp. Winwin reported that the player himself requested to depart, while the coaching staff had initially hoped to resolve the situation.

Journalist Samir Kaabouche said Hemdani and Yahia were now waiting for an official apology from Ait-Nouri before considering his return to the Fennecs.

The next development could come on 6 October, when several Algerian sources say Ait-Nouri plans to speak after the friendly between Algeria and Niger. He is expected to give his account of the events.

His statement will be closely followed after videos, competing versions of the dispute and comments from people around the player have left several aspects unresolved.

Ait-Nouri, 25, has won 28 caps and remains one of the important players in Algeria’s new generation. A reconciliation would therefore appear to suit both sides.