Algeria Under-20 coach slaps players during melee in 'reprehensible' scenes
24/03/2024 14:55
There were shocking scenes in an Algerian Under-20 match as manager Yacine Manaa was seen hitting players during a touchline scramble.
The Algerian youth team were facing Tunisia in qualifying for the Under-20 African Cup of Nations when the disturbing moment took place.
Manaa could be seen hitting a Tunisian substitute before then slapping one of his own players during the 3-2 defeat.
The Algerian Football Association [FAF] are yet to comment, despite multiple high-profile Algerian journalists calling for a strong response.
Top Algerian football website, Fennec Football, commented: "As an educator supposed to embody the values of sport, Yacine Manaa should have set an example on and off the field.
"Instead, he chose a reprehensible approach, resorting to physical violence to resolve a dispute between two players.
"This coercive method is not only contrary to sporting ethics, but also prohibited by the International Football Federation.
"The reaction of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) is impatiently awaited. The incident involving Yacine Manaa must under no circumstances be tolerated. A firm reaction from the FAF would send a clear message about its commitment to ethics and sporting integrity.
"Incidents of this nature are a source of shame and undermine the credibility of the sport on the national and international stage. Silence or an insufficient response from the FAF would only worsen the situation by suggesting that such behaviour is acceptable in Algerian football.
"It is imperative that the FAF takes decisive action to condemn the actions of Yacine Manaa and restore the integrity of Algerian football."
The incident tarnishes what should have been a positive international break for the African nation.
Algeria won the 2019 AFCON, but have been on a gradual decline, and were humiliated at the 2024 tournament as they finished bottom of a group containing Angola, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.
Despite their struggles, they've now landed highly-rated former Switzerland and Lazio manager Vladimir Petkovic.
The Swiss-Bosnian started with a 3-2 win over Bolivia with the senior side, and has another game against South Africa before qualifying for the 2026 World Cup continues in June.
