The Tunisian host and jurist, Fethi Mouldi, spoke vehemently on Radio Mosaïque regarding the controversial decision of the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF). The latter withdrew the candidacy of Houcine Jenayah for the Executive Committee (Comex) of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), thus paving the way for the election by acclamation of Walid Sadi, president of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) .
During the broadcast Recap Sport, Mouldi denounced what he considers to be an abdication of sovereignty by Tunisia in the field of African football. According to him, this withdrawal is not a simple individual decision but a political choice dictated by external interests. “Tunisia has become a football colony, while we were once leading figures within CAF and FIFA,” he declared bitterly.
A decision that questions
Fethi Mouldi pointed out the lack of transparency surrounding this withdrawal. “The FTF tells us that Jenayah withdrew for personal reasons, but who can believe that? This kind of decision goes far beyond the individual. He represented Tunisia as a whole, and his withdrawal for the benefit of Algeria in says a lot about our loss of influence”he added.
According to him, this situation illustrates a general decline in Tunisian football, both locally and internationally, while stressing that this choice could have been influenced by diplomatic pressure, the FTF being currently led by a normalization committee imposed by the FIFA.
Algerian diplomacy in action
On the other side, Algeria, absent from the Comex since 2017, is making a remarkable return thanks to Walid Sadi. The latter, who benefits from solid administrative experience, will mark the Algerian presence in this decision-making body of the CAF after several unsuccessful attempts by his predecessors.
According to observers, this return was facilitated by intense Algerian sports diplomacy. Tunisia, in retreat, offered Algeria a rare opportunity to occupy a strategic position without going through an election, thus consolidating its influence within the CAF.
A controversy that divides
For Mouldi, this situation reflects not only a decline in Tunisian authority in African football, but also a strategic error that could further weaken its position.
“This choice pains me. We no longer have the weight we had before”he concluded, calling on Tunisian decision-makers to think about the future of national football.
The debate remains open: is this withdrawal a sign of sporting cooperation with Algeria or a political resignation of Tunisia on the continental stage? What is certain is that Walid Sadi will now have to prove that this election by acclamation will not only serve to restore the image of Algerian football, but also to strengthen the voice of the Maghreb within CAF.
DZfoot
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