Mouloudia Club of Algiers are facing fresh internal tensions, with sporting director and official spokesman Jamal Belamri reportedly close to leaving the Algerian champions.
The disagreement is understood to involve Belamri and club president Hakim Hadj Rejem and has emerged only days before MC Alger begin their Algerian Professional League title defence.
According to Algerian newspaper Al-Khabar, relations between the two men have deteriorated amid disagreements over the club’s handling of the summer transfer window.
The latest dispute adds to a turbulent period for MC Alger, with Belamri previously involved in the failed attempt to bring Youcef Belaïli to the capital club. Belaïli instead renewed his contract with Espérance Sportive de Tunis, prompting a public exchange between the player and Belamri.
That controversy had only recently subsided before Belamri became involved in another dispute within the club.
Belamri reportedly unhappy with transfer management
Belamri is said to have been absent from his office for three consecutive days as tensions increased.
Al-Khabar reported that the sporting director was unhappy with the way MC Alger’s transfer business was being conducted and believed that an individual from outside the club’s management had assumed significant control over recruitment decisions.
According to the report, Belamri felt that this person had effectively become the key decision-maker in the club’s transfer market, with the final say over deals involving the Algerian champions.
The disagreement reportedly intensified after Belamri helped complete negotiations for several potential signings, including Algerian internationals Yacine Benzia and Abdelrahim Daghmoum.
Despite his work on those deals, the administration subsequently told him there was not enough money available to complete the transfers.
Another incident then further damaged the relationship.
The report said the club’s administration submitted an offer for a player based outside the Algerian professional league without informing Belamri.
That decision is understood to have been particularly significant for the sporting director and may have contributed to his decision to step away from his position.
Club president reportedly angry over leaks
While Belamri is said to be unhappy with the club’s transfer strategy, Hadj Rejem reportedly has his own concerns about the sporting director.
According to the report, the MC Alger president is particularly unhappy about information concerning internal club matters and discussions being made available to supporters.
The president reportedly considers the disclosure of such information unacceptable and believes the situation represents a significant departure from the approach taken by the previous sporting director.
The disagreement over the handling of internal information has added another dimension to the dispute between the two men.
It could also accelerate Belamri’s departure from the club, potentially bringing an end to his time as sporting director and official spokesman.
The former Algeria international has therefore found himself at the centre of another controversy at MC Alger only a short time after the Belaïli transfer saga.
MC Alger face important league opener
The latest developments come at a particularly important moment for the club.
MC Alger are preparing to begin their campaign in the Algerian Professional League, where they will attempt to defend their title.
Their opening fixture is scheduled for 27 August, when they will host Mouloudia Oran.
The uncertainty surrounding Belamri’s future adds an off-field issue to the club’s preparations for the new campaign.
MC Alger will now have to manage the disagreement within their leadership while also finalising their squad and preparing for the start of their title defence.
The dispute comes after a summer transfer window that has already generated considerable attention around the club, particularly following the failed move for Belaïli.
Belamri’s reported dissatisfaction with recruitment decisions, combined with the president’s concerns over the leaking of internal discussions, has created a difficult situation for the Algerian champions.
If Belamri does leave, MC Alger would have to address the vacancy at sporting director level while beginning a season in which expectations will be high following their league triumph.
For now, the focus remains on whether the two sides can resolve their differences or whether the latest crisis will end with Belamri’s departure.
