Youcef Belaili. Norbert Scanella / PANORAMIC
For 48 hours after the international break, the Algerian striker (31) gave no sign of life to the Corsican club. He is back in training on Wednesday.
Youcef Belaïli has been found. The Algerian international (31) had been missing for two days, while AC Ajaccio awaited his return. The former Stade Brestois striker had obtained authorization to continue his rehabilitation a few days in Algeria after the two qualifying matches of the Fennecs for the CAN. But Belaïli resumed training only on Wednesday, 48 hours late.
«On Tuesday March 28, the club decided to grant Youcef Belaïli a few extra days due to his adductor injury, specifies the AC Ajaccio on Twitter. The sports and medical staff were informed and followed the player’s care. Youcef Belaïli was received this morning by coach Olivier Pantaloni and sports coordinator Johan Cavalli for his 48 hours delay in relation to his agreed return date. Youcef is now in the rehabilitation phase with our medical staff.»
L’Equipe affirms that Ajaccio would have given the authorization to their player to stay for treatment in Algeria only after discovering his absence, and not before. This is not the first time that Youcef Belaïli “disappears” for a few days without giving any news. Already in March 2022, he had given no sign of life at Stade Brestois after two Algeria-Cameroon play-off matches for the World Cup in Qatar. A breach of contract with the Breton team followed.