The Tunisian club Esperance Sportive de Tunis officially announced a financial penalty imposed on its star Algerian international Youssef Belaili, due to his unexcused absence from the start of the team's summer preparations, a step that signals a potential strain in the relationship between the two parties in the upcoming phase.

Belaili had sparked widespread controversy in recent weeks after he skipped training sessions without prior permission, expressing his desire to return to his former club, CR Belouizdad.

The player later had to join the team’s training after the Esperance management rejected the idea of letting him go during the current transfer market.

In statements to the Tunisian radio station "Mosaïque", the official spokesperson for Esperance, Walid Qarafala, confirmed that the club’s management decided to penalize Belaili financially, in respect of the internal regulations.

He stated: "We did not turn a blind eye to Belaili; he has been penalized financially and equally with his teammates, but it is not a problem for us, and we appreciate his history with the team."

Despite Qarafala's confirmation of the player's continuation until the end of his contract, the renewal file remains unresolved, which keeps the possibility of Belaili leaving for free in the summer of 2026 on the table, amid the management's reluctance to lose him without compensation.

With Esperance refusing to release Belaili and the player clinging to the idea of returning to Algeria, the relationship between the two parties is heading towards a potential cold war, given the differing views on the future.

The file of the Algerian star remains open to all possibilities, amid public anticipation for the results of this silent conflict.