A new hardline approach being adopted by the Algerian FA is the reason why they’ve insisted Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Aït-Nouri be in the squad for this international break despite being injured.
La Gazette du Fennec explain the situation and how three of the players in the current 26-man group selected by Vladimir Petkovic have arrived injured or returning from injury. These are Wolves’ Aït-Nouri and Hicham Boudaoui and Mohamed Amine Amoura.
On the face of it this seems to be a strange decision, but they explain that it is actually part of a new approach being taken by the Algerian FA.
They’ve decided that from now on they will continue to call up players whose clubs report that they are injured so that they can counter test them and ‘determine the degree of the injury’ for themselves.
This is particularly the case with Aït-Nouri, who Wolves reported as injured when he was included in the selection.
Usually this would be a case of the club informing the national side of the injury and being taken on their word, but the FAF have decided to ‘take the bull by the horns’ and do things differently.
They want international fixtures to be seen as ‘sovereign’ and for them to be treated with more respect by clubs.
There is still a desire for ‘diplomacy and tact’ to be used so that they can build good relationships with clubs and a better collaboration.
That’s not been the method for this international break, though, meaning Aït-Nouri will be joining up regardless of whether Wolves think he is injured or not.
