Draji rejects Libya criticism after Tunisia defeat commentary

Algerian football commentator Hafid Derradji has defended his coverage of Libya’s 2-0 win over Tunisia in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, saying he is not required to celebrate one Arab team beating another.

Derradji responded to criticism in Libya following the match at the Taieb Mhiri Stadium in Sfax on Friday. The General Union of Sports Media Professionals in Libya accused him of showing bias towards Tunisia and failing to reflect Libya’s performance, known as the Mediterranean Knights.

The union called for Derradji to be suspended from commentary duties on beIN Sports and for him not to be assigned to future Libya matches.

In comments to Libya Al-Ahrar, Derradji said he had not intended to insult Libya or diminish the importance of its victory. He argued that a commentator’s responsibility is to describe events on the pitch rather than display happiness or sadness according to the nationality of the winning team.

He said: “The commentator is not required to be happy when an Arab team beats another Arab team, or sad when the other side loses.”

Derradji added that his role was to assess what both teams produced during the match, rather than use his voice to express national loyalties or meet the expectations of supporters.

He drew a distinction between Libya playing another Arab side and facing a team from outside the region. If Libya were playing Botswana, he said, he would clearly support the Libyan team. But in a match between two Arab nations, he did not believe he should favour one side or show feelings that did not reflect his genuine position.

The commentator also criticised supporters who, he said, expected him to use hypocrisy, courtesy and bias to support their national teams when they played another Arab side.

“I did not celebrate Libya’s victory, just as I did not mourn Tunisia’s defeat,” he said, while insisting that his assessment was based on each team’s display.

Derradji acknowledged that Libya had played well and deserved praise, while describing Tunisia’s performance as poor. He rejected the suggestion that failing to show particular enthusiasm for Libya’s win amounted to belittling the players’ achievement.

The dispute follows Libya’s important victory in Sfax. Ali Youssef gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot in the 44th minute before Hamdou Elhouni doubled their advantage in the 62nd minute.

The result lifted Libya to four points from three matches, while Tunisia remained on two points. The outcome increased the significance of the teams’ next meeting in the race to qualify.

The Libyan union said its objection was not based on Derradji’s nationality or his right to express emotion, but on what it described as a diminishing of Libya’s achievement. It also urged commentators to avoid language that could encourage hostility or damage fraternal relations between the peoples of the Maghreb.

Derradji’s response was to reiterate that professional commentary should not require him to flatter either side simply to satisfy its supporters.