Sabri Lamouchi has revealed that teenage winger Louey Ben Farhat was left out of the latest Tunisia squad after the player’s father rejected the proposed national team call-up.
The unexpected revelation came during a press conference in which the Tunisia coach addressed questions surrounding the absence of the highly rated 19-year-old from the national team selection.
Ben Farhat, who currently plays for Karlsruher SC, had reportedly been under consideration as Tunisia continue to evaluate emerging young talent ahead of future international competitions.
However, Lamouchi explained that the decision ultimately did not come down purely to football matters.
“I received a call from Louey Ben Farhat’s father this morning. He told me it was too early to select him, and he refused,” Lamouchi said.
The coach’s comments provided the first official explanation for the winger’s omission after speculation emerged over why the player had not been included in the final squad list.
According to Lamouchi, the player’s father directly contacted him to express concerns that an international call-up had arrived too early in the youngster’s development.
The Tunisia coach also admitted he was surprised by the overall lack of communication from the player’s side during the process.
Lamouchi suggested there had been uncertainty and silence from Ben Farhat’s camp before the final decision was eventually communicated.
The situation has drawn attention to the complexities that can sometimes surround international football selection, particularly involving young dual-nationality players still establishing themselves at club level.
For Tunisia, the episode highlights how family considerations and long-term development plans can influence decisions around national team involvement beyond performances on the pitch alone.
Ben Farhat is regarded as one of the promising young attacking talents emerging in German football, and his progress at Karlsruher SC has reportedly attracted increasing attention from Tunisian football officials in recent months.
Despite the setback, there has been no indication that the door has been closed permanently on the player’s international future with Tunisia.
As things stand, Lamouchi’s remarks remain the only official clarification regarding the winger’s absence from the squad, while uncertainty continues over whether Ben Farhat could be considered again for future call-ups once his development progresses further.
