Algeria: Saleh Bey Aboud sheds light on the Gassama affair!

Africa 05 October 2025 at 09:33

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI

News Editor

The former communications manager of the Algerian national team, Saleh Bey Aboud, has revisited one of the most painful chapters in Algerian football: the Greens' elimination by Cameroon in the 2022 World Cup play-offs. Appearing on the Algerian channel El Watania TV, he delivered powerful remarks that have rekindled a wound still raw among supporters.

"Gassama played a major role in the elimination of the national team; it was a scenario set up the day before he even arrived in Algeria," Aboud declared,

hinting at a form of premeditation in the officiating decisions of the renowned Gambian referee. He also cited other precedents to support his suspicions:

"At a time when VAR didn't exist, France qualified for the World Cup thanks to Thierry Henry's handball goal, eliminating Ireland."

Convinced that the truth will eventually come to light, Saleh Bey Aboud concluded with solemnity:

"Whatever happens, the truth will be revealed, and we will know who plotted against the national team."

Words that reignite a still-sensitive debate over a match that continues to haunt the memory of Algerian football.

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