Algerian Football Player Belaïli Faces Backlash for Alleged Harsh Treatment of a Referee
In the world of Algerian football, a storm of controversy has erupted surrounding attacking midfielder Youcef Belaili, following an incident during a quarter-final match at the 5 July Stadium in Algiers. The incident, which is now the subject of widespread condemnation in sports media and on social platforms, saw Belaili engage in a heated confrontation with referee Ghada Mehat.
Belaili, a 32-year-old player for MC Alger, approached Mehat almost face-to-face and violently grabbed her arm. This behaviour, as reported by Dzfoot, crossed the line with referees during the match. Despite this, there are no recent reports indicating that Belaili has faced disciplinary action for inappropriate behaviour towards referees.
Mehat, an Algerian referee who made history by becoming an international football referee in 2022, started her career in the Regional League of Constantine in 2015 at the age of 19. Her beginnings in sports were challenging due to cultural and societal pressures in her conservative region, but she was eventually accepted in her field due to her impartiality and rigorous application of rules.
The quarter-final match in question saw Mouloudia Club d'Alger (MCA) emerge victorious with a 2-0 scoreline. However, Belaili's behaviour during the game was far from exemplary. According to Dzfoot, he contested every contact from the start of the match and questioned every decision of the referee. He even refused to give the ball to allow his opponents to take a free kick.
For his actions, Belaili was given a yellow card and later received a fine for his shameful and scandalous behaviour, according to La Gazette du Fennec. FootMercato comments that Belaili is capable of both excellent and poor performances, and this incident serves as a stark reminder of the latter.
It is worth noting that Belaili's strong performance in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with Espérance de Tunis, where he was noted for his skillful dribbling and important goals, including a winning goal against Los Angeles FC, has been overshadowed by this recent controversy.
The TSA (Algerian Football Federation's Disciplinary Committee) is now questioning whether Belaili still has a place in Algerian football due to his on-field antics and off-field incidents. The committee will likely issue a statement in the coming days regarding any potential disciplinary action against Belaili.
A video of the controversial quarter-final match is currently circulating, shedding light on the incident and sparking ongoing discussions about the role of players and referees in the world of football. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Belaili's career will be affected by this incident.
In the context of international news, a dispute between Algerian football player Youcef Belaili and referee Ghada Mehat, a historical figure in Algerian sports, has escalated, reaching crime-and-justice discussions due to Belaili's violent actions during a match. Despite reports suggesting a poor display of sportsmanship by Belaili towards referees, no recent disciplinary actions have been announced. Additionally, while Belaili has demonstrated impressive skills on the football field, participating in events like the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, his off-field indiscretions, such as the recent incident with Mehat, cast a shadow over his career.
