Feghouli Pleads for Alcáraz, Refuses To Defend The Excluded Players

Algeria Greens striker Soufiane Feghouli pleads for the coach Lucas Alcáraz, asserting that he can not take responsibility for the exclusion from the World Cup or double defeats against Zambia.

He also refused to defend his teammates who were excluded from the team, recalling that he was excluded from the African Cup of Nations in Gabon in early 2017. 

“Algeria team has good young elements to raise the challenge and all players take full responsibility before the Algerian people”.

“Alcaraz is doing his job in a professional manner and with a great desire for this, the problem is not in the coach, but even the players are responsible, because when we miss the ball over the field for the competitor we have to return and get back quickly”, Fighouli asserted at a news conference with Issa Mandi and Liassine Cadamuro on Wednesday. 

“The players are also required to commit more tactically, this is why the players must assume their full responsibilities in front of the fans”.

Player of the Turkish Galatary club said: “I am not here to defend any player, personally I have been excluded from free participation in the last African Cup, no one of the national team has touched on that”. 

“Absentees can not seek excuses because the team disappointed fans, and did not achieve good results. There are those who can compensate the players who are excluded, because it is important to moisten the shirt and play warmly even if we lose. We have to look to the future and I am here as an old element in the national team to help them integrate quickly”.

On the other hand, Fighouli expressed his admiration for the message that was sent to him and to the other two players by the head of the Algerian Football Federation, Khireddine Zatchi, saying: “Zacchi’s message was clear, as we demanded to act as one family and honestly. 

“FAF will act strictly and punish when necessary. I noticed that some things had changed including how to deal with the players, which became stricter and guide away some of the team frames. I spoke with the players and asked them to show their artistic abilities and play as men”.