One of Esperance Sportive de Tunis’ key players was reportedly arrested in Paris while en route home from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
An Algerian football news publication, DZfoot, has reported that the 33-year-old Algerian international was detained by French police after an incident occurred aboard a flight from New York to Paris.
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The issue reportedly stemmed from a disagreement over safety regulations involving Belaili's two-year-old son. According to the report, Belaili allegedly refused to properly fasten his child's seatbelt, which the airline crew deemed a violation of safety protocols.
The situation is said to have escalated into a physical altercation, prompting authorities to intervene upon landing. As a result, Belaili was then arrested alongside his brother.
However, later updates from the same publication indicate that the veteran winger has since been released. His brother, however, reportedly remains in police custody and is currently under investigation.
Belaili was one of the standout performers for Elias Mokwana's Esperance during their Club World Cup campaign in the United States, scoring once in two appearances.
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Despite his efforts, the Tunisian giants were eliminated in the group stage. They managed a win against Los Angeles FC but suffered defeats to Premier League giants Chelsea and Brazilian side Flamengo.
The Red and Yellow have now returned home following their early exit. More so, they came back along all four African sides, Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly, and Wydad AC, after failing to go beyond group stages.
