Former Algeria FA President Placed in Pre-Trial Detention Over CHAN 2023 Probe

Former Algeria FA President Placed in Pre-Trial Detention Over CHAN 2023 Probe

By Admin 

Former president of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), Charaf-Eddine Amara, has been placed in pre-trial detention as part of an investigation into the organisation and financial management of the 2023 African Nations Championship (CHAN), judicial sources confirmed on Tuesday, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The decision was issued by the investigating judge of the third chamber of the economic and financial criminal division at the Sidi M’hamed court in Algiers and subsequently approved by the public prosecutor.

Amara is under investigation for alleged corruption related to contracts awarded during preparations for the continental tournament. The probe focuses in particular on expenditures linked to the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as other costs that reportedly exceeded the budget allocated by the state.

Investigators are also examining contracts covering accommodation, catering, transport and equipment, where authorities have identified suspected irregularities in tendering procedures and alleged breaches of legal requirements governing the awarding of public contracts.

Following questioning, Amara was formally charged with “abuse of office” under Article 33 of Algeria’s anti-corruption legislation. An appeal against the charge was rejected by the Algiers Judicial Council, which upheld the indictment.

During his hearing, Amara argued that his responsibility for the tournament was limited. He noted that he assumed the presidency of the FAF on 15 April 2021, while the specifications for CHAN 2023 had been drafted and approved in 2018 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Algerian authorities, under the leadership of then-FAF president Kheireddine Zetchi.

Amara maintained that his role was confined to overseeing the local organising committee and appointing replacements for members who had left their positions. He also pointed out that he and the entire federal bureau resigned on 31 March 2022, prior to the tournament.

This is the second time Amara has been placed in pre-trial detention. On 21 December, he was held in custody in connection with a separate investigation relating to his tenure as chief executive officer of the state-owned conglomerate Madar Holding.

The latest case has intensified scrutiny of the financial governance of CHAN 2023 and has raised broader questions about accountability and oversight within Algerian football administration.