Algerian football has been rocked by allegations of widespread drug-taking after the suspension of international Youcef Belaili and three other top-division players.
2. Algerian football has been rocked by allegations of widespread
drug-taking after the suspension of international Youcef Belaili
and three other top-division players.
Belaili was banned by the Confederation of African Football for
a period of two years from national and international football.
The 23-year-old USM Alger midfielder admitted the charge and
waived his right to have his B sample tested, according to an
announcement by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF).
Some of the other players received suspensions for up to four
years or are undergoing investigation. However, all the players
have denied taking illicit substances and some claim that they
were under the impression that they were taking vitamin
supplements.
3. A recently-concluded media investigation has hinted that corruption
was prevalent in Algerian football clubs because of a lack of consistent
regulations. A damning report by London-based Al-Arabi al-Jadid on
January 27 revealed the four recent cases are not unique. The report
highlighted 10 other instances where Algerian players tested positive
for drug use since 2013. The report revealed information passed on by
an employee at a nightclub in trendy western Algiers that players
allegedly buy and use amphetamines and other drugs and frequented
the club to let off steam and get amphetamines and other drugs,
which they believe will enhance their performance on the pitch.
Algeria's El-Khabar newspaper was told by medical experts that the
football industry in the country was in "chaos" since no doctors have
been assigned on a regular basis to clubs and management of the
clubs was too "centralized" that opens the door for corruption.