Former Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi said on 31 October on Tunisia's Mosaique FM radio that a Tunisian Football Association official interfered extensively in national team affairs, including squad matters and camp arrangements, and said it was part of the reason for Tunisia's failure at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Comments on the Africa Cup of Nations
Trabelsi said the repeated interventions poisoned the working atmosphere within the squad and piled pressure on the technical staff. He said tensions rose after Tunisia went out in the first round of the Arab Cup.
Claim over selection pressure
Trabelsi said the interference became so severe that he considered resigning and heading home before the Africa Cup of Nations began. He said: "There was someone who opposed calling up Naim Sliti, and wanted to impose on me the call-up of a player from the Tunisian league. All of this was done by an official in the Tunisian Football Association, he is the one who determines everything"
Other alleged interventions
Trabelsi said the same official interfered beyond selections, including dictating when players received treatment and deciding who stood in the front rows during prayer.
Changes since his exit
The Tunisian Association sacked Trabelsi after the failure at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Sabri Lamouchi succeeded Trabelsi and then left after a single official match at the 2026 World Cup. Moine Chaabani now leads the Tunisia national team, and has overseen two matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, both draws against Uganda and Botswana.
