Several Moroccan media outlets have reported that Kheïreddine Zetchi, the former president of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), has been remanded in custody. They attributed this decision to his refusal to oppose the amendment to the membership rules of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) during the general assembly held in Rabat in March 2021. This amendment stipulated rejecting the membership of any federation from a territory not recognized as an independent state by the UN, thereby preventing the Polisario from joining CAF.
The Assahifa website published an article entitled «Former FAF President Jailed for Opposing Polisario’s CAF Membership». For its part, Hibapress wrote: «Observers believe that the real reason for his arrest is his vote against the separatist Polisario Front’s membership of CAF at a meeting held in Rabat».
In a similar vein, the online newspaper Rue20 headlined: «Algeria Jails Former FAF President After His Vote Against Polisario Joining CAF». As for Moroccan radio station MedRadio, it wrote that «some observers believe that his imprisonment is linked to his vote against the separatist Polisario Front’s membership of CAF at a meeting in Rabat».
Does the Polisario really have anything to do with Zetchi’s arrest ?
However, they forget to point out that the case does not only concern Zetchi. In recent weeks, the Algerian judicial and security authorities have launched a campaign targeting several former FAF presidents. It’s an extended Mani Pulite (Clean Hands) operation and comes just three years after Zetchi’s alleged vote at the CAF.
Contrary to 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 the regulations in force, 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 benefits granted to former FAF officials, foreign currency bonuses for local players, and the misappropriation of public funds through inflating accommodation and catering bills. He is also accused of «overspending in connection with the African Cup of Nations for local players organized in Algeria, as well as other offenses».
No official or private Algerian media mentioned any link between Zetchi’s arrest and Morocco or the Polisario. Thus, to establish a link between this case and Morocco is mere speculation, as they have not backed up their thesis with evidence.
It is also worth mentioning that Zetchi’s successors, Charaf-Eddine Amara (2021 – 2022) and Djahid Zefizef (2022 – 2023), are also being prosecuted for «failing to cancel the dubious contracts signed by Kheïreddine Zetchi and for failing to report these transactions, which remained in force despite their illegal nature».
The Algerian authorities have recently shown a political interest in the sporting sector, notably by appointing the current FAF president, Walid Sadi, as Minister of Sport.
The recent campaign against the three former FAF presidents and other officials is meant to reassure the Algerian public that the sector is back in control. The local press lauds Walid Sadi while criticizing his predecessors, accused of having failed to integrate CAF committees.
