Hamza Khadraoui and Ghaith Zaâlouni, Club Africain players, are at the centre of a controversy after a gesture miming a cigarette during the 3-2 win over CAB. A summons by the professional league is being mentioned.
Club Africain beat Club Athlétique Bizertin (CAB) 3-2 at the Stade Olympique de Radès, on matchday 6 of the Tunisian league. Hamza Khadraoui scored a brace, and Rayan Jbali added a goal. But it was another Khadraoui gesture that caught the attention.
In the 30th minute, Khadraoui and his teammate Ghaith Zaâlouni mimed smoking a cigarette: Zaâlouni appeared to light Khadraoui’s, who pretended to exhale the smoke upwards. The celebration provoked strong reactions among supporters and observers, according to YSscores.
Two readings of the same gesture
On social media, the two Club Africain players were criticised. They are judged guilty of setting a bad example for young players.
Other observers felt the celebration was not immoral, but that it was inappropriate given their status as players followed by the public.
A summons mentioned, not confirmed
Reports suggest Khadraoui and Zaâlouni have been summoned by the professional league’s board to give their account of the incident next week, YSscores reports. However, a Club Africain source denied that the club’s management had received any letter or summons as of Saturday.
According to the media, the club is paying little attention to speculation about a possible referral of its players to the disciplinary committee, the celebration being considered spontaneous. It also feels there is no reason to blow the incident out of proportion.
A CAB back in the game
On the pitch, CAB scored twice in the second half and nearly equalised late in the match, according to YSscores. Khadraoui’s brace and Jbali’s goal were enough for Club Africain to claim the win.
The club is now focusing on its next league match.