A meeting held Monday, November 24 at the headquarters of the Tunisian Football Federation brought together the Minister of Youth and Sports, the FTF, the National Refereeing Directorate and the presidents of Ligue 1 clubs. The stated objective was to evaluate the first part of the championship and improve the relationship between referees and clubs. But the meeting led to an unprecedented action: the collective challenge of several referees by the majority of the teams.
Tensions, technical report and club demands
Around the table, Minister Sadok Mourali and FTF President Moez Naciri insisted on the need for a more calm and transparent competition. DNA supervisor Jamel Himoudi presented a detailed report on refereeing performances, first leg statistics and the monitoring tools put in place to improve designations and communication.
The club representatives then presented remarks and grievances concerning the management of the matches, the nomination criteria, the repeated challenges and the lack of confidence in certain decisions. The FTF described this direct exchange as a way to reduce tensions and restore a climate of mutual respect.
Reactions: an unprecedented wave of recusals
The meeting took an unexpected turn when twelve of the sixteen clubs transmitted a list of referees whose assignment they refused for their next matches. Among the most rejected names are Houssem Boulaares, Mahrez Melki, Sadok Selmi, Oussama Ben Isaac and Amir Ayadi.
Only four clubs – AS Soliman, Olympique de Béja, ES Métlaoui and AS Marsa – did not challenge any official, adopting a position presented as neutral or cautious. This collective approach illustrates the growing climate of hostility around arbitration and the pressure exerted on the bodies responsible for designations.
A championship under permanent tension
Refereeing controversies have punctuated the season since the start, fueled by the expanded introduction of VAR, public protests from presidents, and a distrust between clubs and authorities. The FTF is trying to restore the credibility of the refereeing body, while the clubs are demanding firm guarantees, systematic explanations and an appointment process that they consider more fair and readable.
Referees rejected
- AS Gabès: Houssem Boulaares, Mahrez Melki, Khalil Jarii, Nidhal Ben Letaief
- African club: Khaled Gouider, Mahrez Malki
- CA Bizertin: Achref Harakati, Mahmoud Ksia
- CS Sfaxien: Naïm Hosni, Sadok Selmi, Oussama Ben Isaac, Houssem Boulaares
- ES Sahel: Sadok Selmi, Oussama Ben Isaac, Houssem Boulaares, Amir Loucif
- ES Tunis: Mahrez Melki, Amir Ayadi
- ES Zarzis: Aymen Nasri
- JS Kairouanaise: Oussama Ben Isaac, Amir Ayadi
- JS Omrane: Houssem Boulaares, Sofiene Ouertani
- Tunisian Stadium: Houssem Boulaares, Sadok Selmi, Mahrez Melki
- US Ben Guerdane: Houssem Boulaares, Aymen Nasri
- US Monastirienne: Khaled Gouider, Houssem Boulaares, Achref Harakati
Read also
