PARIS, France — Algerian international footballer Youcef Belaïli was arrested on Wednesday, July 2, at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport following an altercation with an Air France crew during a flight from New York.
The 33-year-old winger, who plays for Espérance Sportive de Tunis, was reportedly on his way to Algeria after competing in the FIFA Club World Cup, where his team exited in the group stage following a 3–0 defeat to Chelsea in Philadelphia.
Footage circulating online shows French police escorting a visibly upset Belaïli in handcuffs through the terminal. The incident, which is under active investigation, has sparked a wave of commentary on social media and in Algerian news outlets.
Speaking to Algerian sports outlet El Heddaf, Belaïli’s father defended his son, claiming the issue began with a misunderstanding over his two-year-old son’s seatbelt. “He committed no offence. He was mistreated. It’s a disgrace to treat an international player like this,” he said.
Belaïli, who previously played in Ligue 1 for Angers, Brest, and Ajaccio, has a history of controversy but remains a prominent figure in North African football.
