ASM Takes Strong Action After Turbulent Match Against Stade Tunisien
Source: La Presse
What Happened on the Field
- First incident: The team captain Sami Hlel refused to return for the second half of the match against Stade Tunisien after being harassed by a fringe of the crowd.
- Second incident: Mid‑fielder Omar Traidi was expelled by the referee after a violent altercation with a supporter during the same game.
Club Management’s Response
The ASM board decided to act decisively so that such “missteps” never happen again.
- Around noon two days ago, goalkeeper Sami Hlel and midfielder Omar Traidi were summoned to the club’s executive office.
- “We called them in to listen to their side of the story and understand their actions,” said Sabri Ayari, ASM’s vice‑president in charge of the football section.
Even after hearing the players, the board imposed sanctions:
- Sami Hlel was ordered not to attend training last week.
- Omar Traidi was relegated to the elite squad. He will train with the senior team but will also receive a financial penalty.
“We asked Sami Hlel not to come to training last week. As for Omar Traidi, he has been moved to the elite team. They will resume training with the senior squad, but a monetary sanction will be applied,” the ASM official explained.
Detailed Sanctions
| Player | Incident Date | Match | Sanction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sami Hlel | 28 Feb 2024 | 22nd round, lost 0‑4 to Stade Tunisien | Barred from training (one week) |
| Omar Traidi | 28 Feb 2024 | Same match | Four‑match suspension + 2,000 TND fine (imposed by the National Professional Football League) |
Background of the incidents (28 Feb 2024):
- The match, part of the 22nd championship round, ended in a 0‑4 defeat to Stade Tunisien.
- Sami Hlel, the captain, was targeted by a small group of supporters and requested a substitution at halftime, refusing to return to the pitch.
- Omar Traidi got into a verbal clash with a fan who stormed the field at the 30‑minute mark, angry over a penalty awarded to the Stade Tunisien side. The confrontation escalated into a physical fight before security intervened and removed the supporter.
The referee immediately expelled Traidi. The league later added a four‑match ban and a 2,000‑dinar fine.
A Bright Spot: Young Goalkeeper Mohamed Béchir Abbassi
Sami Hlel’s absence opened the door for Mohamed Béchir Abbassi, a 16‑year‑and‑8‑month‑old goalkeeper who made his debut in the second half of the Stade Tunisien game. Although he conceded three goals, the circumstances made it difficult to blame him.
- Next match: He started against Espérance and left a positive impression despite the loss and a goal conceded.
- Sabri Ayari’s comments:
“He’s a promising youngster. Abbassi is the youngest player in Ligue 1, standing at 1.93 m. He performed well against Espérance. With work and confidence, he has a great margin for improvement.”
Ayari also confirmed that the club’s confidence in Ameur Derbal (the senior goalkeeper) remains unchanged.
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This article translates the original French report from La Presse into English, preserving the factual details and quotations while formatting the content for clear, SEO‑friendly reading.
