Youcef Belaïli, the Algerian international (49 caps, 9 goals) of MC Alger, has just been fined.
The verdict was handed down by the Professional Football League’s Disciplinary Committee, which decided to crack down on the 31-year-old winger.
The Fennec had strongly contested the decision with the refereeing trio, who were unhappy with an offside whistle blown against him during Saturday’s 3-0 league win over USM Khenchela.
Under the new system introduced by the Federation last November, he was fined DA100,000 (around €677).
In any case, this is hardly the kind of publicity Belaïli needed, as he is already renowned for his antics and is often referred to as “the bad boy of Algerian soccer”.
Back in the squad for the CAN?
Will Belaïli take part in the next Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire? That’s the question on the lips of many Algerian soccer followers at the moment.
Although the Oran-born player has shone with MCA this season – he has already scored 10 goals in just 9 Algerian D1 matches!
– He no longer seems to be on Djamel Belmadi’s radar. The Fennecs coach didn’t call him up for the last few training sessions, nor was he present on Saturday for his match against USM Khenchela.
Enough to sow doubt, even if the former AC Ajaccio player can count on the support of his coach Patrice Beaumelle.
“Of course he deserves it. He deserves to be shortlisted. He’s won everything in Africa: the CAN 2019, two Champions Leagues, he’s made Champions League finals at club level.
With us, he’s irresistible! So what more can you ask for!” declared the Frenchman in a recent interview with Algerian TV channel El Hayat TV.
However, the 45-year-old does not wish to meddle in Belmadi’s choices: “Now, the coach knows what he has to do, I don’t have any advice to give him”.
It remains to be seen whether Belaïli will be called up by the Greens coach, who plans to field a list of 25 players rather than 27.
