Algeria boosted by French trio
Reuters - Tuesday 11 May 2010, 17:58
JOHANNESBURG, May 11 (Reuters) - FIFA has formally declared
three former French junior internationals eligible to play for
Algeria, clearing them to participate in this year's World Cup.
A request for a change of nationality for Habib Belaid, Ryad
Boudebouz and Mohamed Chakhouri was approved by world football's
governing body on Tuesday.
The trio all played for France at junior level but because
they are dual nationals and have not been capped at senior
level, they are eligible to represent Algeria.
Belaid and Boudebouz were named in a preliminary squad of 25
by Algeria coach Rabah Saadane this month for their pre-World
Cup preparations, which start in Switzerland on Thursday.
FIFA said it had also received a request from Algeria about
former Liverpool midfielder Carl Medjani, who now plays for
Ajaccio in the French second division.
"The matter is being assessed and a decision will be taken
very soon," a spokesman said, adding that no decision had yet
been taken on the status of former Germany Under-21
international midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, who is wanted by
Ghana for the World Cup.
Algeria have been drawn in World Cup Group C along with
England, Slovenia and the United States.