JAKARTA - Algerian National Team (Timnas) goalkeeper Luca Zidane - who is the son of French legend Zinedine Zidane - was banned from playing two matches due to a clash on the pitch after his team was eliminated from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Africa Cup of Nations/Afcon) quarter finals.
The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) said it would appeal against various sanctions, including a ban on playing for Zidane and defender Rafik Belghali imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) due to the incident at the 2025 African Cup.
Belghali was also banned from playing two matches. Launching ESPN, it turns out that the punishment for the Hellas Verona defender and Zidane will likely apply to tournaments under the auspices of CAF if the FAF appeal is granted.
This means that Zidane and Belghali will undergo the ban in the 2027 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers, which Algeria will start in September 2026.
Meanwhile, for the 2026 World Cup, FAF hopes that Zidane and Belghali should be able to appear since the first match.
As is known, the Algerian players and staff were involved in a fight on the field after a 0-2 defeat to Nigeria in the quarterfinal match played on January 10, 2026 in Marrakech, Morocco.
Match referee Issa Sy was protected from the angry Algerian staff and escorted off the pitch.
The FAF said the total fine of 100,000 US dollars was imposed on charges of violations by players and staff, fans trying to break through security barricades, and fans who "showed banknotes" to match officials.
Meanwhile, at the 2026 World Cup, Algeria will start the match against defending champions Argentina in Kansas City on June 16, 2026. This group also includes Austria and Jordan.
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