Youcef Belaïli’s Suspension Lifted by Sports Arbitration Court

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne has lifted the 12-month FIFA suspension previously imposed on Algerian international footballer Youcef Belaïli. The decision clears the way for the 34-year-old winger to resume his professional career, following a sanction issued last March by FIFA's dispute resolution chamber. The original suspension stemmed from a financial disagreement with his former club, AC Ajaccio, which had accused him of using a falsified document, a penalty that notably prevented his participation in the 2026 World Cup with Algeria.

This favorable ruling by the CAS specifically reactivates a contract Belaïli had already signed with Tunisian club Espérance Sportive de Tunis, extending until June 2027. As a result, the 2019 African champion is now eligible to join the "sang et or" squad, which is scheduled to commence its Tunisian Ligue 1 season on August 23 against Étoile du Sahel. The decision marks a significant development, especially after Espérance had indicated in late July that the matter was definitively closed.

While his immediate future with Espérance Sportive de Tunis appears settled, the player's long-term club affiliation remains a subject of ongoing interest. Algerian club MC Alger, which had also been in negotiations for Belaïli's return, reportedly continues to pursue efforts to secure the international player. Meanwhile, Belaïli and his family have been observed celebrating the conclusion of this lengthy judicial challenge, marking the end of his suspension.