A leaked video featuring a conversation between well-known Algerian players has ignited significant controversy regarding corruption in Algerian football matches. The clip circulated among Algerians on social media on Tuesday evening, showing former international goalkeeper and player of Nasr Ben Aknoun, Mohamed Lamine Zemamouche, alongside Chabab Qacentina player Ahmed Khaldi discussing the buying and selling of matches right after a game, in front of other players and security personnel.
They indicated that these corrupt negotiations occur at a level higher than the players, alluding to club presidents and managers. Social media users widely shared the video, commenting that it tarnishes the image of Algerian football and the country as a whole, reflecting the extent of corruption that has permeated the league. One user remarked on Facebook, questioning the origins of violence and other negative phenomena in the football world, stating, "In the end, the protector is the thief."
Another user noted that in another country, this would lead to an investigation and punishments for those involved, especially since the statement comes from a seasoned international player who is well aware of what happens behind the scenes.
This uproar comes at a time when the Algerian football league, both in the first division and lower divisions, has seen significant tension over promotion, relegation, and positions qualifying for continental competitions. This has led to mutual accusations among club presidents and coaches regarding instances of corruption in the football system in Algeria during recent rounds, including the match between Nasr Ben Aknoun and USM Alger, which ended in a surprising 2-0 result, raising questions among observers.
Moreover, the president of RC Relizane, Qadi Dahmani, demanded that the head of the Algerian Football Federation, Walid Sadi, conduct an investigation into the match's outcome, claiming it's unreasonable for a team ranked high to lose against a bottom-ranked team. He stated, "Since my team has been harmed, I demand Walid Sadi, the federation president, to investigate the match between USM Alger and Nasr Ben Aknoun."
Additionally, the coach of Nasr Ben Aknoun, Bilal Dziri, commented on his team's loss to MC Oran, asserting, "The defeat against MC Oran, I still say, wasn't within the context of football... I demand fair officiating."
