Three former Algerian football leaders charged with corruption

Posted on July 3, 2024

Lecture: 3 minutes.

Opaque use Algerian Football Federation Fund Justice has now come to the FAF. Following an investigation by the General Inspection of the Ministry of Finance and the Inspection of the President of the Republic into the register of transactions between 2017 and 2023, the current FAF management has filed a complaint with the National Tax Service. Parquet floor From Algiers.

Fourteen top federal officials, including three former presidents—they are likely Keldin ZechZarafiddin Amara and Jahid Zefizef – Has been tried by the Algiers Provincial Security Economic Crime Brigade and prosecuted for “signing contracts in violation of the law and organizational regulations to grant undue privileges and benefits to others” of privileges when entering into contracts with the State or its affiliates or corporations.”

The prosecutor of the Economic and Financial Center of the Algiers Court confirmed on Monday, July 1, that an investigation had been opened based on information regarding alleged corruption at the federal level in Algeria.

read: Algerian Football Federation: A highly political war of succession

The press release stated of The prosecutor said: “In accordance with article 11 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the prosecutor near the National Economic and Financial Crimes Court informs the public that the Economic and Financial Crimes Brigade of the Algiers Provincial Security Department has been established to conduct a preliminary investigation based on the information received on suspected corruption. federal Algerian football. The investigation concerns a number of executives who entered into contracts in violation of internal trading procedures with the aim of granting improper privileges to third parties.

Prosecutors added that the actions resulted in “a waste of public funds of the Algerian Football Association and public finances”, but did not provide further details. This is The full names of the accused were also not revealed, contenting themselves with their initials. But there is no doubt that these correspond specifically to former FAF presidents Kheireddine Zetchi, Charafeddine Amara and Djahid Zefizef.

Excessive spending that is difficult to justify

The legal investigation will involve bonuses given to technical managers following Algeria’s title win. sports car The 2019 national team match against Senegal, as well as the considered excessive costs associated with the organization of the Africa Under-17 Cup. According to preliminary investigations, both competitions were also tainted by the signing of contracts that did not meet the usual standards.

The euro bonuses of local players also aroused the suspicion of investigators. In addition, the systematic use of hotel Members of the federation’s offices can stay in private hotels during their stay in Algiers, while the federation has a hotel at the National Technology Center in Sidi Moussa, a southern suburb of the capital.

read: Zefizef worked at the Algerian Football Federation for a year before leaving

Investigators also found that in the 2020 financial statements, the cost of purchasing cards was close to 1 million dinars (about 6,900 euros). remember and 1,710,660 dinars (about 12,000 euros) in fuel costs. In 2021, 50 million dinars (nearly 350,000 euros) were earmarked for the renewal of the FAF fleet and 7 million dinars (about 48,000 euros) for Eid al-Fitr sheep bonuses for the benefit of employees.

This huge sum explains the accumulated deficit of nearly $8 billion. dinar Walid Sadi revealed (over 55 million euros), Chairman of FAF since September 2023He delivered the opening speech at the General Assembly held in the Beni Messus Military Circle at the end of May 2024. “We have been facing a disastrous financial situation since last September, with a deficit beyond our imagination,” he then denounced, threatening to take the matter to court. this justice.