Three players sanctioned by the judicial bodies of the Algerian Football Association for anti-doping rule violations have had their bans extended by the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to have worldwide effect.

Mohamed Youcef Belaïli and Rafik Boussaid were banned by the Algerian FA’s Disciplinary Committee from any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of four years after testing positive for cocaine. The committee also imposed a four-year ban on Kheireddine Merzougui, a decision that was confirmed by the Algerian FA’s Appeal Committee, after he tested positive for methylhexaneamine.

The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided to extend the sanctions to have worldwide effect in accordance with art. 136 ff. of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The relevant parties have been duly notified of the chairman’s decisions.

Mohamed Youcef Belaïli and Rafik Boussaid are banned until 19 and 20 September 2019 respectively, while Kheireddine Merzougui is banned until 24 January 2020.

Members of the media with questions relating to the substance of the decisions are kindly requested to contact the Algeria FA.

FIFA continues to work closely with its member associations in the fight against doping. One of the main pillars of FIFA’s anti-doping strategy is prevention through education. In recent months, FIFA has launched a series of prevention initiatives as part of its ongoing efforts to keep football free from doping. The aim is to raise awareness among players, coaches and doctors on the dangers of doping and provide appropriate educational tools for doping control officers across the world.