Having failed in the last African Cup and qualification for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, national coach Djamel Belmadi has been facing a wave of criticism for several weeks.
On social networks, but also on Algerian television sets. The coach of the Algerian football team is no longer as popular as at the time of the 2019 World Cup. A situation which has just caused the first sports official in Algeria to react.
In a statement this Monday, January 2, 2023 to the online television channel DZ News. Youth and Sports Minister Abderrazak Sebgag reacts to criticism of Djamel Belmadi.
Critics of Belmadi, why this “timing”?
Minister Abderezak Sebgag, first responsible for the sports sector in Algeria
Speaking from Algiers airport, before the departure of the handball selection abroad, the Minister does not hesitate to support Belmadi, but also to respond to the “critics” of the national coach. Abderrazak Sebgag even went on to call them “inappropriate”.
“The Timing of These Critics. That’s what I blame some people for. When you want to comment (on Belmadi’s work), you should choose the right time, ”says the Minister of Sports.
“The national coach gave a lot to the Algerian team. For me, these statements came at the wrong time,” adds Abderrazak Sebgag, calling the criticism inappropriate.
The Minister of Sports did not stop there. In the same vein, he wishes to recall the independence of the choices of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF).
“The federation is an independent association which has the right to choose the coach of the national team (…) And it has decided to renew its confidence in Belmadi”, he underlines.
When Hafid Derradji criticizes Belmadi
Hafid Derradji, Algerian journalist, former editor-in-chief of Algerian television and currently commentator in a Qatari TV channel
No, the media release of the Minister of Sports is not a coincidence. It comes in fact to respond indirectly to the criticisms of Hafid Derradji which date from a few days ago.
Recall that the famous Algerian commentator of beIN Sports had criticized coach Belmadi. A series of fairly strong comments published on the Al Arabi Post website.
“I have already said that Belmadi must take the big responsibility for the elimination of the Algerian national team from the World Cup in Qatar. As I said that the great merit of the consecration during the CAN-2019 belongs to him, ”he had launched.
“If the selection was invincible in 35 games, it is also thanks to him. But when you fail, you have to know how to leave the table. As was the case of several coaches after the end of the World Cup for not having achieved the objectives assigned to them, ”added Hafid Derradji.
It should be noted that after the criticisms of Hafid Derradji, a wave of reactions was observed on social networks. Some were with the opinion of the Algerian commentator while others had given their support to Djamel Belmadi.
