Algeria: Former Football Federation Presidents Sentenced to Prison

Three former presidents of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) have been sentenced to prison for financial misconduct. The verdict was delivered on October 27 by the Economic and Financial Crime Court in Sidi M'hamed, Algiers. Kheireddine Zetchi and Amara Charaf-Eddine received eight-year prison sentences and fines of 1 million dinars each. Djahid Zefizef, the most recent former president, was sentenced to six years in prison and the same fine. The three men served consecutively from 2017 to 2023.

The court also sentenced two former secretaries general of the FAF, Mohamed Saad and Mounir Debichi, and the former administrative director, Abdelghani Nekkache, to three years in prison each, with 1 million dinar fines. The former national team manager, Amine Abdi, received the same penalty. Other defendants, including former members of the federal board, were given sentences ranging from one to five years.

The case involves 19 defendants in total, all facing charges related to the mismanagement of FAF funds. The trial has been ongoing for several months, with the defendants accused of various financial crimes during their tenures. The court's decisions mark a significant development in the high-profile case, which has drawn considerable public attention in Algeria.

In addition to the prison sentences, the court ordered the seizure of assets from the convicted individuals. The total amount of assets seized was not immediately disclosed. The verdicts are subject to appeal, and it remains to be seen whether the defendants will challenge the court's decisions.

This case has highlighted issues of corruption and mismanagement within Algerian sports organizations. The sentencing of high-profile figures in the football community has sent a strong message about the consequences of financial misconduct in sports administration.