March 22 – FIFA has extended four-year bans to apply worldwide for two Algerian players who tested positive for cocaine. And a third player who was found to have taken the stimulant methylhexaneamine has also had his four-year ban extended globally.
The FIFA disciplinary committee imposed the international sanctions after all three cases were dealt with by the Algerian soccer federation.
Algeria international Youcef Belaili tested positive for cocaine after playing for USM Algers in an African Champions League match last August and is now banned until September 19, 2019.
Rafik Boussaid of RC Arbaa, who also tested positive for cocaine, is banned through September 20, 2019 while Kheireddine Merzougui of MC Alger is banned through January 24, 2020, for taking another illegal stimulant.
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