FAF Boss Amara Steps Down, Djamel Belmadi To Be Maintained

The president of the Algerian football federation, Charaf-Eddine Amara, and members of the federal office have resigned from their functions at the head of Algerian Football Federation, two days after the non qualification of Algeria to the World Cup.

Charaf Eddine Amara was talking at a presser earlier today and officially announced his withdrawal, alongside other federal bureau members.

Amara has however advised Belmadi to continue work with his technical team.

At the presser, Amara came back to the question of a possible replay of the match pitting Cameroon against Algeria.

‘Let’s be reasonable. We have asked for a replay. I am not just talking because it is part of my job. I’ve done all what is legal.’

Toko Ekambi’s last gasp winner sent Cameroon to Qatar, and some Algerian fans were left questioning decisions of referee Papa Gassama. The country thus officially tabled a complaint to FIFA, and they await a reply.

‘Some people asked me to put my influence into play, like what other federations do. I will never engage Algeria in such a process.

‘If you ask me to pay a referee, I refuse to do so. If you all want to get rid of me because of that, go ahead. I am the President of a commission of referees, and representative of a honest and respectable country,’ Amara explained.

The FAF boss has been receiving calls from strange numbers, being subjected to verbal assaults

‘I am receiving numerous phone calls at this moment because some unknown individuals with bad intentions who put my number on social media. So, we have opted for change.’

Charaf Eddine Amara hasn’t had the best working relationship with Djamel Belmadi, but he has advised Belmadi and his team to stay and keep working.

‘Djamel Belmadi will continue working as the national team head coach. I have already spoken to him.

‘I will like to thank the bureau for their good work in our mandate. I equally thank the selections, as they were very productive. I accept responsibility for all what happened, but the most important decision today is that we need change’. Mr. Amara ended.

It has been a disturbing period for the Desert Foxes of Algeria, since the start of the year. It started well with a win at the FIFA Arab Cup, but elimination from the group stage of the AFCON followed. Now, the country wouldn’t be present in Qatar, after missing out on the 2018 World Cup in Russia.