Controversial Atal Named In Algeria Cup Of Nations Squad

Algerian footballer Youcef Atal, currently facing trial in France over charges of inciting hatred, has been selected by coach Djamel Belmadi to join Algeria’s Africa Cup of Nations squad.

The 27-year-old, who has been suspended from playing with Nice since mid-October, was accused of sharing a video that led to legal proceedings.

Despite the controversy, Atal is part of the national squad. Meanwhile, West Ham’s Said Benrahma, involved in a heated dispute with Belmadi in October, did not secure a spot in the squad. Algeria is placed in Group D for the AFCON tournament alongside Angola, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania.

The biennial competition is scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Anthony Mandrea (Caen/FRA), Rais M’Bolhi (Belouizdad), Oussama Benbot (USM Alger)

Defenders: Youcef Atal (Nice/FRA), Kevin Guitoun Van Den Kerkhof (Metz/FRA), Rayan Ait-Nouri (Wolves/ENG), Yasser Larouci (Sheffield United/ENG), Aissa Mandi (Villarreal/ESP), Mohamed Tougai (ES Tunis/TUN), Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Ahmed Touba (Lecce/ITA), Zineddine Belaid (USM Alger)

Midfielders: Ismael Bennacer (AC Milan/ITA), Houssem Aouar (AS Roma/ITA), Hicham Boudaoui (Nice/FRA), Nabil Bentaleb (Lille/FRA), Sofiane Feghouli (Karagumruk/TUR), Ramiz Zerrouki (Feyenoord/NED), Fares Chaibi (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER)

Forwards: Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli/KSA), Islam Slimani (Coritiba/BRA), Mohamed Amoura (Saint Gilloise/BEL), Baghdad Bounedjah (Al-Sadd/QAT), Amine Gouiri (Renne/FRA), Youcef Belaili (MC Alger), Adam Ounas (Lille/FRA)

Source: AFP