Reports of violence and serious disputes inside the Tunisia national team camp have been dismissed by sources, who say the cancellation of the friendly against Mali was instead linked to injuries, fitness concerns and FIFA ranking calculations.
Speculation about unrest within the squad emerged in recent hours, with claims of verbal clashes and problems between players following the decision to call off the match against Mali.
However, private sources cited by WinWin said the reports of violent incidents or a major crisis in the camp were inaccurate and did not reflect the atmosphere within the Tunisia squad.
According to the sources, there had been some discussions and incidents during preparations for Tunisia’s matches against Uganda and Botswana, including an episode involving Elias Al-Ashouri.
The incident reportedly began during a training session and continued during a technical meeting held to review some of the mistakes made by the team against Botswana.
Sources said Al-Ashouri did not respond positively to some of the instructions from coach Moine Chaabani, leading to a discussion within the group.
The disagreement, however, did not develop into the incidents of violence or disorder described in reports circulating about the camp.
There was also competition among players for places in the team, with some members of the squad wanting to start against Botswana or receive more playing time.
Sources described that as a normal situation within a competitive squad rather than evidence of a wider crisis inside the national team.
The cancellation of the Mali friendly was instead attributed to two main factors.
The first was Tunisia’s physical condition. The team had been affected by a significant number of injuries, with several injured players leaving the training camp. That left the squad without the necessary physical readiness for another international fixture.
The second factor was linked to FIFA’s ranking calculations in Africa.
Tunisia are currently ranked 11th among African teams, while Mali are inside the continent’s top 10. As a result, a meeting between the two sides would have carried implications for the points available and the potential effect on Tunisia’s position.
The ranking is also considered important because African positions will play a role in determining the levels for future draws.
Sources said there was a belief within the Tunisia camp that playing Mali under the current circumstances could create an unnecessary sporting risk. With several players injured and the squad not fully prepared, another defeat against a highly ranked African opponent could have a negative effect on Tunisia’s ranking.
The decision to cancel the fixture was therefore not connected to claims of violence or major disputes among the players, according to the information obtained by WinWin.
Instead, the sources said the decision reflected the team’s physical situation alongside technical and strategic considerations surrounding the African rankings.
The developments involving Al-Ashouri and discussions over playing time were therefore presented as isolated matters within the preparations rather than signs of a breakdown inside the Tunisia camp.
With the Mali match cancelled, the focus remains on the team’s condition and preparations, while the decision has also been viewed through the wider importance of FIFA’s African rankings.
