Algeria suspends league after death

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has postponed next weekend’s league fixtures following the death of a Cameroon striker.

Albert Ebosse’s club JS Kabylie said the 24-year-old forward suffered the head injury when he was hit at the end of the game.

He had scored in the 2-1 home loss and was the leading scorer in the Algerian league last season.

A FAF statement confirmed that: “All the matches of the championships of professional and amateur leagues… scheduled across the country for the weekend of August 29 and 30 are suspended and postponed until a later date. 

“This is in homage to Albert Ebosse, who tragically died, and also to protest the irresponsible actions of some fanatics and hooligans that perpetuate violence in stadiums and has reached unacceptable proportions.

“FAF, the federal office and members of the general assembly will study soon other more coercive measures that may disqualify the offending club from all competitions.”

The Confederation of African Football President Issa Hayatou reacted by calling for member associations to act strongly against fan violence and for the perpetrators of this incident to be dealt with in the strongest possible terms.

“African football cannot be the breeding ground for hooliganism whatsoever,” Hayatou said in a statement. “We expect exemplary sanctions to be taken against this grave act of violence. Violence has no place in African football in particular and sports in general.

“We remain resolute and state in the strongest terms our determination to eradicate all forms of violence and unsportsmanlike conduct in stadiums on the continent.”