Djahid Zefizef: Former Algerian Football Federation President Arrested on Financial Corruption Allegations

Djahid Zefizef, the former head of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), is currently in custody after being detained on allegations of financial corruption, according to reports from the Algerian press. His arrest centres on a reported multi-billion Algerian dinar deficit that investigators have linked to his period in charge of the federation.

Authorities are conducting an ongoing investigation, with prosecution expected to follow should sufficient evidence be established. The detention marks a significant escalation in the judicial process surrounding the financial allegations against the former federation chief.

Zefizef held the presidency of the FAF from July 7, 2022 until July 16, 2023 — a tenure of just over one year. His departure from the role came after he failed to secure a seat on the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), effectively ending his grip on the position.

Beyond the current legal proceedings, Zefizef’s time leading Algerian football was already a subject of considerable scrutiny. Critics pointed to both administrative failures and underwhelming competitive results as defining features of his presidency.

On the pitch, results were mixed at best. While Algeria’s U17 side claimed the Arab Championship in 2022, the federation’s younger national teams largely failed to deliver. The U20 and U23 teams both missed qualification for their respective Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. The U23 team’s failure to qualify also carried wider consequences — it simultaneously eliminated Algeria from contention for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Off the field, governance concerns compounded the criticism. In a particularly notable administrative error, the FAF failed to register the Algerian women’s national team for the 2024 Olympic qualifiers. The federation attributed the omission to an administrative oversight, though the incident drew sharp criticism and further damaged the credibility of Zefizef’s administration.

The arrest of a former football federation president adds to a broader pattern of governance and accountability issues in African football administration. Several football officials across the continent have faced legal scrutiny in recent years over the management of federation finances, reflecting growing pressure from judicial authorities and football governing bodies to enforce financial transparency.

For Algeria, a nation with one of Africa’s most storied footballing histories — home to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations-winning Super Eagles and globally recognised talents such as Riyad Mahrez — the episode represents an uncomfortable chapter in the sport’s domestic administration. The outcome of the ongoing investigation and any subsequent prosecution is expected to draw significant attention both locally and from continental football authorities.