The Algerian Cup semi-final between USM Alger and MC Oran descended into disgraceful chaos on Thursday night, with the match abandoned after just 20 minutes following a series of violent incidents on and off the pitch.
The game, played at the July 5, 1962 Stadium in Algiers, was halted in the 20th minute when MC Oran players walked off the pitch after their goalkeeper was struck by a projectile thrown from the stands. The match official confirmed the abandonment shortly after, with the score at 0-0.
According to official reports, the trouble began before kick-off when MC Oran fans were denied entry to the stadium due to overcrowding. Tensions escalated when supporters attempted to force their way through the gates, leading to clashes with security forces outside the ground.
Inside the stadium, the atmosphere turned toxic early on. USM Alger fans threw bottles and flares onto the pitch, with one flare landing dangerously close to MC Oran players during the warm-up. The match kicked off under heavy security, but the situation spiraled out of control when a second projectile struck MC Oran goalkeeper Oussama Benbot in the head in the 18th minute.
Benbot collapsed to the ground and received medical treatment for several minutes before being stretchered off. His teammates immediately surrounded the referee, demanding the match be stopped. After a tense 10-minute delay, the referee officially suspended the game.
Algerian Football Federation (FAF) president Charaf-Eddine Amara released a statement late Thursday night, calling the incident “a dark stain on Algerian football.” He confirmed that a disciplinary committee would meet on Saturday to decide the outcome of the match and issue sanctions.
“What happened tonight is unacceptable,” Amara said. “We will take the strongest possible measures against those responsible. The safety of players and fans must always come first.”
MC Oran released their own statement, accusing USM Alger of failing to provide adequate security and calling for the match to be awarded to them. “Our player was seriously injured. The conditions were not suitable for football,” the club said.
USM Alger, meanwhile, blamed the incident on a small group of individuals and insisted the club had followed all security protocols. “We condemn these acts of violence. They do not represent our club or our fans,” a club spokesperson said.
The abandoned semi-final leaves the second semi-final between CR Belouizdad and JS Kabylie, scheduled for Sunday, under a cloud of uncertainty. Security sources have confirmed that additional measures will be put in place for that fixture.
This is not the first time Algerian football has been marred by crowd trouble. In 2022, a league match between USM Alger and MC Alger was abandoned after similar incidents. However, Thursday night’s events are widely regarded as one of the worst in recent memory.
The FAF disciplinary committee is expected to announce its decision on Monday. Possible outcomes include a replay behind closed doors, a forfeit win for MC Oran, or both clubs being held partially responsible. Criminal charges against the individual who threw the projectile are also being considered.
