After six postponements and nearly two years in pre-trial detention, the trial of Kheireddine Zetchi, former FAF president, has gone to deliberation. The Algerian courts must rule in the coming days.
The legal epilogue is drawing closer for Kheireddine Zetchi. According to Afrik-Foot, the trial of the former president of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), heard before the Sidi M’hamed court, has been sent to deliberation. After six postponements of the hearing and nearly two years in pre-trial detention, the court’s decision is expected in the coming days of October 2026.
The man, who led the federation from 2017 to 2021, faces charges relating to the management of FAF funds. The allegations concern disputed contracts, nepotism and overcharging in the kit-supplier partnership with Adidas. Several former administrative executives and members of the former Federal Bureau are also involved in this trial.
A pre-trial detention that drags on
Kheireddine Zetchi has been in pre-trial detention since November 2024, at the Sidi M’hamed economic and financial crime unit. For nearly two years, he waited for his trial to open, postponed six times. With the case now sent to deliberation, the official verdict is due to be handed down in the coming days of October 2026.
This case is part of a broader legal context affecting former FAF leaders. Three successive former heads of the federation have been held in detention: Zetchi, but also Charaf-Eddine Amara and Djahid Zefizef. Amara, acquitted in July 2026 in the Imetal group case, remains targeted by other proceedings concerning CHAN 2023. As for Zefizef, also a former FAF president, he was remanded in custody at Koléa prison in April 2026.
A sporting and leadership past
Beyond his legal troubles, Kheireddine Zetchi remains associated with a high point in Algerian football. Under his mandate, the national team won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, under the guidance of Djamel Belmadi.
Zetchi is also the founding president of Paradou AC, a club renowned for its Jean-Marc Guillou training academy.
Next step: the verdict
With the case sent to deliberation, the Sidi M’hamed court must issue its decision in the coming days of October 2026. The trial also concerns several former administrative executives and members of the former FAF Federal Bureau.
Until then, Kheireddine Zetchi remains in pre-trial detention.