Algerian domestic league needs to be professional. I think the President Raouraoua (President of the Algerian Football Federation) tried to make that happen. You know, we have to reach the professional level. When you see all the leagues improving and trying to be better. That is the aim of our federation. We have to find good players in Algeria, because I think there are a lot of them. Most can go play in Europe now, and improve the national team.”
In Europe, there are three main revenue streams for football clubs. Gate receipts, TV rights, and private/commercial investment. In Algeria ticket prices are cheap, the only state television broadcasts matches. Do you think private investment should be relied on to stimulate the other revenue streams?
To be honest, I can’t answer that because I’m not on the ground and I don’t know the entire situation.
Going back to the familial aspect of your career. After being cut by Sedan at the age of 21, can we say it was Nasser Sandjak – former coach of the Algerian national team, who knew your father – that revived your career at Noisy Le Sec?
Yeah, exactly. Nasser Sandjak helped me a lot. Like you said, he revived my career, because I was ready to stop football and go to university. Actually, I was at university, but he instilled belief in me and that definitely revived my career.
university. Actually, I was at university, but he instilled belief in me and that definitely revived my career.
I once heard Yacine Brahimi say that his time in CFA was extremely complicated and he even said that Ligue 1 was easier for him. Did you also find the lower leagues in France to be extremely difficult?
The lower leagues in France are not like other leagues in Europe. For example, in England, the reserve team plays against other reserve teams, they don’t play in the professional league. As a reserve player in France, you’re playing against first teams. Reserve players tend to be young and developing. You’re playing against stronger, mature, adult players. So that’s why on the pitch it’s tight and so combative. They want to stay up, or win the league to try and advance their club.
Before we talk about England. Can you quickly touch on the Belgian league? What were your impressions?
The Belgian league is one of the best in Europe…
You find it’s underrated?
Definitely. After the top five European leagues, Portugal and Belgium are the best. There are plenty of interesting players like Lukaku, Fellaini. In fact, for the