AFCON 2019-Algeria: Here’s why $400,000 was missing from the sum to be paid to the Federation

Algeria, winner of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, was set to receive a prize of $4.5 million. However, the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) reported that only $4.1 million had been credited to its accounts, leaving $400,000 unaccounted for and sparking controversy. The missing amount has raised questions about the payout process and the reasons behind the shortfall.

According to reports from Le Buteur, the $400,000 was temporarily withheld by CAF (Confederation of African Football) as a precautionary measure. The hold relates to the transfer of funds connected to ticket sales for the tournament’s final phase, tickets that were distributed free of charge to Algerian fans. The measure was intended to ensure proper accounting and reconciliation of funds before completing the payout.

Le Buteur explained that, aside from the final match, the Algerian Federation managed the ticketing for all other games involving Algeria in the tournament, including the group stage, round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals. The Federation processed payments for these tickets via bank transfers from Algiers. In contrast, for the final, the host authorities, in cooperation with the Algerian embassy in Cairo, handled the ticket distribution directly for the Algerian public. This arrangement required additional verification, which delayed the transfer of funds. According to the report, completing the process and transferring the $400,000 to the bank accounts of the company in charge of ticket sales could take up to two and a half months.

CAF has reassured the Algerian Football Federation that the withheld sum will be paid once the host federation, through its organizing committee, confirms receipt of the amounts corresponding to tickets provided to Algerian fans. This clarification aims to address concerns and ensure transparency in the prize distribution process.

In summary, the apparent shortfall in Algeria’s AFCON prize money is not a loss but a temporary administrative measure linked to ticketing reconciliation. Once the verification is complete, the full prize of $4.5 million will be credited to the Algerian Federation, resolving the controversy surrounding the missing $400,000.