Algeria coach sacks Belkebla from camp for misconduct

GNA – Djamel Belmadi, Head Coach of the Algerian football team, has sacked midfielder Haris Belkebla from the team’s training camp for misconduct.

A statement from the Algerian Football Federation on Wednesday said Belmadi’s decision was to “maintain discipline” in camp ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, which would begin on 21 June.

“The national team coach Djamel Belmadi has decided to exclude Algeria midfielder Haris Belkebla from the Africa Cup of Nations training camp.”

“The coach’s decision was to maintain discipline within the group, which he considers paramount,” the statement said.

The  midfielder’s omission follows video footage of him appearing on social media exposing his backside on a live stream of an online game.

Belkebla apologised to the Algerian delegation after his action, but was nonetheless sent home.

USM Alger midfielder Mohamed Benkhemassa is expected to replace him, but the federation was  yet to confirm Belkabla’s replacement.

GNA