ODDITY
Returning Algerian star from the Club World Cup, Youcef Belaïli arrested and handcuffed in Paris
Algerian international and Espérance Sportive de Tunis forward, Youcef Belaïli, was arrested on Wednesday morning at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport in Paris after reportedly clashing with cabin crew aboard an Air France flight from New York.
According to information confirmed by airport sources and reported by AFP, the 33-year-old was taken into police custody upon arrival in Paris. Belaïli was scheduled to catch a connecting flight to Algeria when authorities intervened.
Footage circulating on social media shows the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations winner handcuffed, barefoot, and visibly subdued, being escorted through the terminal by French police officers—images that have sparked a wave of reaction among fans and commentators alike.
The cause of the altercation aboard the transatlantic flight has not been officially disclosed, but reports suggest a dispute with Air France cabin crew escalated to the point of requiring police intervention upon landing.
Belaïli, known for his flair on the pitch and fiery personality off it, is no stranger to controversy. A key figure in Algeria’s victorious 2019 AFCON campaign, his club career has been punctuated by both moments of brilliance and disciplinary setbacks. He has previously featured in France for clubs including Angers, Brest, and Ajaccio before returning to Espérance de Tunis last season.
The arrest comes just days after Belaïli’s appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where he represented Espérance. The Tunisian giants were eliminated in the group stage, managing a win over Los Angeles FC but suffering defeats to Al-Ittihad and Chelsea, the latter of which occurred in Philadelphia on June 25.
French authorities have yet to release a detailed statement on the incident or potential charges. Meanwhile, neither Espérance de Tunis nor the Algerian Football Federation has issued an official comment on Belaïli’s arrest.
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Bulgarian side Arda Kardzhali invited club great Petko Ganchev and feted him at their first division match on Wednesday, two weeks after they held a minute’s silence for their former player thinking he had died.
Bulgarian club holds minute’s silence for ex-player who is still alive
When Arda played Levski Sofia last month, players from both sides lined up at the centre circle to honour Ganchev.
But before the day was done, the club posted a message saying they had received “incorrect information about his death” and that the 78-year-old was very much alive.
On Wednesday, the club said their ‘legend’ was a special guest for their match against Cherno More, where the home side won 4-0. Ganchev also received a jersey with his name and the number nine.
“Before the match Petko Ganchev saw the sport director Ivaylo Petkov, who gave him a jubilee jersey… He watched the match in the company of other ARDA veterans,” the club said.
“Once again we apologise to Petko Ganchev for the gaffe two weeks ago.”
Ganchev said he received several phone calls when the club held a minute’s silence while his wife was in tears when he got home late to watch the match.
“When I heard the terrible news, I poured myself a little brandy,” he had told Bulgarian outlet Blitz.
“To bury you alive is very stressful. Truthfully, the situation was not pleasant.”
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