The Algerian Football Federation has decided to take matters into its own hands regarding the issue of the staggering salaries of players from elite clubs in Algeria.
The phenomenon has grown in recent years, with monthly salaries of several million dinars that some Ligue 1 clubs then prove unable to honor.
If public opinion is outraged by these indecent salaries, it is also because it involves public money. The clubs that allow themselves such follies are those financed by public economic enterprises including Sonatrach (MCA, MCO, etc.), Mobilis (JSK), Sogeport (USMA), Sonelgaz (ES Sétif).
It seems that it was the highest authorities in the country who decided to call it quits, due to the shocking salaries awarded to certain Ligue 1 players.
A meeting took place on Monday December 30 at the FAF headquarters between the leaders of the latter and those of the elite clubs. The decision to cap footballers' salaries, taken during a meeting at the Ministry of Sports with club owners, was confirmed.
The meeting was attended by the vice-president of the FAF and responsible for managing the LFP, Mohamed Amine Mesloug, the secretary general Nadir Bouzenad and representatives of the 16 Ligue 1 clubs.
In a press release made public this Tuesday, December 31, the FAF indicated that the meeting focused among other things on the “rationalization of expenses through rigorous budgetary monitoring, under the control of the DCGF of the FAF”, “the establishment of “a new standard professional player performance contract from June 2025”, and the “creation of an ethical charter applicable to all those involved in professional football”.
Algerian football: here is the maximum threshold for player salaries
Those present also agreed to “emphasize the economic project of the professional club,” adds the press release from the Algerian Football Federation.
Concrete measures were taken during the meeting concerning the players' enormous salaries.
From a source close to the FAF, we learn that it was decided, in mutual agreement with club presidents or their representatives, to cap the salaries of players from elite clubs.
However, this is not a firm cap. The maximum threshold set is a salary of 2.5 million dinars per month.
Clubs can exceed this threshold, exceptionally and under conditions. Clubs, particularly those financed by public companies, which would like to hire a very high level player for a salary of more than 2.5 million dinars, will have to offer guarantees to the FAF and the LFP as to their capacity. to ensure payment of salary, explains the same source. Only under this condition will the player in question be registered.
It must be said that 2.5 million dinars, or 250 million centimes, is already a colossal sum compared to the average level of salaries in Algeria where the minimum wage is set at 20,000 dinars, but also compared to the mediocre level of players who benefit from indecent remuneration with public money.
The Algerian Ligue 1 clubs are struggling to establish themselves on the continental scene and are incapable of training quality players capable of wearing the colors of the Algerian team.
Big salaries in football have given rise to suspicions of embezzlement and commissions, involving players and technicians, managers and club leaders.
