Is the arrest of the former president of the Algerian Football Federation linked to Morocco? [Désintox]

Several Moroccan media reported the provisional detention of Kheïreddine Zetchi, former president of the Algerian Football Federation. They attributed this decision to its refusal to oppose the amendment on the membership rules of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) during the general assembly held in Rabat in March 2021. This amendment stipulated the rejection of the accession of any federation from a territory not recognized as an independent state by the UN, thus preventing the Polisario from any accession to the CAF.

The Assahifa website published an article entitled “Prison for the former president of the FAF due to his opposition to the Polisario joining the CAF“. For its part, the Hibapress site wrote: “Observers believe that the real reason for his arrest is his vote against the accession of the separatist Polisario Front to the CAF during a meeting held in Rabat“.

Similarly, the Rue20 site headlined: “Algeria imprisons former FAF president after his vote against Polisario membership in CAF“. As for the MedRadio site, it wrote that “some observers believe that his imprisonment is linked to his vote against the accession of the separatist Polisario Front to the CAF during a meeting in Rabat“.

Does the Polisario really have a link to Zetchi’s arrest?

However, they forget to point out that the matter does not only concern Zetchi. In recent weeks, Algerian judicial and security authorities have launched a campaign targeting several former presidents of the FAF. An expanded clean-hands operation which comes 3 and a half years after the CAF vote accused of Zetchi.

Unlike certain Moroccan media, which attribute their information to “observers“, Algerian media indicate that Kheïreddine Zetchi is being prosecuted for charges related to “the signing of dubious contracts that do not comply with current regulations, aimed at granting unjustified advantages to third parties“.

Zetchi is also accused of irregularities in the management of “contracts and transactions“, including bonuses and financial advantages granted to former FAF officials, bonuses in foreign currencies for local players, as well as the misappropriation of public funds through the increase in accommodation and catering bills. It is also implicated for “excessive spending linked to the African Cup of Nations of local players organized in Algeria, as well as other infractions“.

No official or private Algerian media has mentioned a link between Zetchi’s arrest and Morocco or the Polisario. Thus, establishing a link between this affair and Morocco is mere speculation without having supported their thesis with evidence.

In addition, Zetchi’s successors, namely Charaf-Eddine Amara (2021 – 2022) and Djahid Zefizef (2022 – 2023), are also being prosecuted for “not having canceled the dubious contracts signed by Kheïreddine Zetchi and for not having reported these transactions which remained in force despite their illegal nature“.

Algerian authorities have recently shown political interest in the sports sector, notably by appointing the current president of the FAF, Walid Sadi, as Minister of Sports.

The recent campaign against the three former presidents of the FAF and other officials aims to reassure Algerian public opinion that this sector is being regained control. The local press praises Walid Sadi while criticizing his predecessors, accused of having failed to integrate the CAF committees.