Algeria boss Brahim Hemdani has stated that the fallout from the Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri's controversial international break exit will be ‘handled amicably’.
Rayan Ait-Nouri got himself into trouble on international duty with Algeria by throwing a fit on the bench.More Videos
Manchester City responded to weeks of media scrutiny by dismantling Liverpool at Anfield in their first game since September on Sunday. For one member of the squad, though, the international break was difficult for reasons that had nothing to do with the Premier League’s guilty verdict.
Ait-Nouri sparked major controversy in Algeria after leaving the National Team camp early amidst a reported fallout with the head coach. Questions have followed the left-back home, and the man best placed to answer them has now provided an update.
That man is Algeria manager Brahim Hemdani, who recently addressed the saga for the first time - and his answer could be pivotal for the Manchester City defender’s international future.
Whatever we do will be my decision, says Hemdani on Ait-Nouri's Algeria NT future
Speaking to TSA-Algerie, Hemdani left little doubt over who is in charge of the situation and pointed to the Algerian Football Federation’s official statement on the matter.
“Those who want to speculate, speculate. I won’t get into these speculations,” he said, in comments relayed by Sport Witness. “There’s a situation that has been handled. There’s the Federation’s statement. However brief it may be, it is what it is.”
That statement, posted on the Algerian Football Federation’s official website in September, read: “The national coach, Mr. Brahim Hemdani, decided this Saturday to release player Rayan Ait-Nouri from the current national team training camp. The Algerian international will thus rejoin his club, Manchester City."
Hemdani also emphasised that whatever happened next would be his decision alone and that fans would be updated in due course.
“Everything that happens in relation to this situation will be handled amicably, and whatever we do will be my decision, you will be informed in due course,” he added.
How did it come to this for Ait-Nouri?
The 25-year-old left the camp in the wake of a controversial episode on the sidelines. Having been named in Hemdani’s squad for the extended international break, Ait-Nouri had hoped to start Algeria’s 3-1 AFCON qualifier win over Zambia.
Instead, he reportedly refused to leave the bench after being told he would be coming on - having earlier been stripped and ready before the coach changed his mind because of a goal. Footage of him arguing with the coaching staff picked up steam quickly, prompting anger within the camp and among fans.
He subsequently asked to leave the team, a request that was accepted by Algeria. Reports have since indicated the defender must make a public apology before he will be considered for selection again.
Struggles not limited to country for Ait-Nouri
The timing could not be much worse for Ait-Nouri, who is still fighting to establish himself at the Etihad Stadium. After arriving from Wolverhampton, Ait-Nouri had to contend with the surprising rise of Nico O’Reilly as first-choice left-back in Pep Guardiola’s final season at City.
He has also found opportunities scarce under Enzo Maresca, limited this season to a UEFA Champions League substitute appearance and a start in the Carabao Cup.
It looks like the player’s international fate now sits in Hemdani’s hands. Algeria’s next two qualifiers take place in mid-November and will help clarify whether the door is still open for Ait-Nouri. In the meantime, he will be hoping to rack up some minutes under Maresca and kickstart his Manchester City career.