A Hookah Pipe Halved a Four-Year Ban

An Algerian winger faces a global ban after a cocaine positive - he says a hookah pipe explains it, but how did that expose him? A Hookah Pipe Halved a Four-Year Ban In this episode, we follow the disciplinary file that suspended a twenty-three-year-old footballer for four years after two positive cocaine tests within forty-three days. We trace his rise from Oran to a two-million-euro contract, the matches and locations tied to the positives, and the hookah explanation that shifted a Swiss tribunal's decision - what does that sequence mean for his career? Person: Youcef Belaïli Date (birth): 14 March 1992 Location (positives): El Eulma; Constantine Event: Two positive cocaine tests 43 days apart Decision: 4-year CAF ban extended globally by FIFA - Born in Oran and developed at RCG Oran and MC Oran's reserve system before breaking into first division at 17. - Made a breakthrough on 6 March 2010, winning a penalty and assisting the winner after entering as a 77th-minute substitute. - Signed a €2 million, three-year contract with Espérance de Tunis in June 2012 and debuted in the CAF Champions League on 20 July 2012. - Joined USM Alger on 14 June 2014 with the highest salary in the Algerian top flight, and played during the season when Albert Ebossé was killed by a projectile thrown from the stands. - Tested positive for cocaine on 7 August 2015 (CAF Champions League, El Eulma) and again on 19 September 2015 (league match, Constantine), leading to a four-year ban later extended worldwide by FIFA. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].