Lahcen will not play for Algeria

Racing Santander player Mehdi Lahcen talked with Algeria coach Rabeh Saadane on the phone last week and told him he could not join the squad, said a source at the Algerian Football Federation (FAF).

• Saadane called Lahcen to tell him the squad needs his services to play the friendly match against Serbia. The player’s reply was negative as he said he could not come because his wife is pregnant. That led Saadane to make a definitive decision to not call Lahcen in any more.
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• Earlier on Sunday, the Algerian player told reporters he would not accept Saadane’s invitation only if he meets him and talk to him about some topics.
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• As the coach is sure that Lahcen will not come to play against Serbia and in the World Cup finals, he called Es Setif player Hocine Metref who has recently shown remarkable capacities.