Algeria Football– On January 6, 2025, the Management of the Mohamed Boudiaf Olympic Complex announced a new important decision concerning the closed-door matches which will take place in the July 5 and Nelson Mandela stadiums. Indeed, from January 1, 2025, the management of the complex has decided to no longer accept organizing meetings without an audience, except in situations of extreme necessity and under certain conditions.
This decision was communicated to the four clubs in the Algerian capital playing in professional Ligue 1 (Mouloudia of Algiers, Union de la Médina d’Algiers, Chabab Belouizdad and Club Paradou). An official letter was sent to them, specifying that the two stadiums under the management of the Complex Management, namely the 5-Juillet stadium and the Nelson Mandela stadium, will no longer be used for matches without spectators, except in exceptional cases. .
The text of the letter explains that the measure will come into force from January 2025 and that no match can be played without the presence of supporters, even for clubs having the right to play their home matches in these stadiums. This new rule aims to limit the financial losses caused by matches behind closed doors.
Management clarified that this decision was taken due to the negative impacts that matches without spectators had on the economy of the complex. The high number of such meetings during the first half of the 2024-2025 season, particularly at the 5-July stadium, led to significant losses for the institution. The absence of spectators has, in fact, created an economic burden for the complex, which finds itself in a difficult situation.
In the event that a club is forced to play behind closed doors due to exceptional circumstances, Management has indicated that the club concerned will have to cover the costs relating to the organization of these matches, without however specifying the nature or amount. of these costs.
-This decision reflects the desire of the Olympic Complex Management to preserve the economic viability of the infrastructure while guaranteeing a better experience for fans and a more lively atmosphere during matches. The complex, which bears the name of Mohamed Boudiaf, intends to promote a return to normality in the organization of sports competitions, with essential public support for the smooth running of the matches.
The clubs concerned will now have to comply with this new policy and seek alternatives if health restrictions or other circumstances force them to organize matches without spectators.
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