The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Committee issued strict decisions against the Algerian national team, including the suspension of goalkeeper Luca Zidane and defender Rafik Belghali, in addition to a large financial penalty, following the unfortunate events that took place during the quarter-final match of the African Cup of Nations against the Nigerian national team.
Details of penalties and suspensions
According to an official statement issued by the Algerian Football Federation, Luca Zidane, son of French football legend Zinedine Zidane, has been suspended for two matches, while his teammate, defender Rafik Belghali, received a harsher four-match ban. These penalties stem from the players' involvement in a brawl and physical altercation that erupted after the final whistle of Algeria's 2-0 defeat.
The sanctions weren't limited to the players; the Algerian Football Federation was also fined $100,000. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) justified the fine by citing serious security lapses, unsportsmanlike conduct by players and officials, and the actions of fans who attempted to invade the pitch.
The context of the match and the escalating tension
The match was highly tense from the opening minutes, with the Algerian side feeling wronged by the refereeing after being denied a penalty kick when the score was still 0-0. The tension intensified after Nigeria secured the victory in the second half thanks to a brace from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams.
The situation worsened after the match ended, as reports indicated that some fans waved banknotes towards the match officials, in a symbolic gesture accusing the referees of bribery, which the African Union considers a serious insult that affects the integrity of the game and warrants deterrent penalties.
The importance of the event and its impact on the future of the national team
These sanctions are particularly significant given the goalkeeper's name, "Zidane," which has brought the incident into global attention. Luca Zidane's move to represent Algeria was anticipated as a boost to the Desert Warriors' squad, but this suspension will deprive the national team of his services, as well as those of Belghali, at the start of their qualifying campaign for the 2027 edition of the continental tournament.
For its part, the Algerian Football Federation confirmed that it has filed a formal appeal against these decisions, hoping for a reduction in the penalties to ensure the readiness of all its players for upcoming competitions. These events cast a shadow over the intense football rivalry between North and West African national teams, and simultaneously underscore the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) firm policy towards any security or ethical breaches within African stadiums.
