Algeria head coach Djamel Belmadi has named his squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) tournament, with controversial defender Youcef Atal included despite ongoing legal woes.
The 27-year-old Nice player has been embroiled in a social media firestorm since mid-October, when he shared a video on Instagram featuring a Palestinian preacher making inflammatory remarks towards Israel. The post, shared with Atal’s 3.2 million followers shortly after a Hamas attack on Israel, ignited accusations of inciting hatred.
Atal swiftly deleted the video and issued an apology, but the incident triggered a suspension by his club and an investigation by French authorities on suspicion of “justification of terrorism.” While that charge was eventually dropped, prosecutors subsequently re-filed against Atal, this time for “incitement to religious hatred.”
Despite the ongoing legal saga, Belmadi has shown faith in Atal, including him in the 26-man squad alongside established stars like Riyad Mahrez, Islam Slimani, and Ismael Bennacer. The experienced trio, now plying their trade in Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Italy respectively, form the core of a squad aiming to defend the title Algeria won in 2019.
However, there is no place for West Ham’s Said Benrahma, who fell out of favor with Belmadi after a heated exchange during an October friendly against Egypt. This omission highlights the coach’s uncompromising stance on discipline and team unity.
Algeria face a competitive Group D challenge alongside Angola, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania. The biennial tournament kicks off in Ivory Coast on January 13th and runs until February 11th, with Atal’s selection adding a layer of intrigue to the defending champions’ bid for AfCON glory.
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