The future of ES Metlaoui is looking increasingly bleak. The Tunisian top-flight club has decided to suspend all sporting activities due to a financial crisis that threatens its continued operation.
On Wednesday, club spokesperson El-Bahy Dinnari explained to Reuters that the board of directors had exhausted all possible avenues to keep the club afloat. Players had already stopped training in September in protest against unpaid wages. The club also reported a deficit of 383,000 Tunisian dinars—approximately 128,000 US dollars—for the 2025-2026 season.
This decision raises fresh concerns regarding Metlaoui’s participation in upcoming league matches. The club had announced the suspension of its activities on Facebook the previous day, following a review of its financial situation. However, the National Professional Football League (LNFP) states that it has not received any official notification. LNFP spokesperson Hafez Ben Ahmed told Reuters that the League cannot confirm the decision based solely on a social media post. According to him, the suspension of activities can only be officially recognized if the team fails to show up for an official match.
The LNFP executive committee was scheduled to meet on Wednesday to examine the situation at ES Metlaoui. Further developments could emerge in the coming hours, as the club navigates one of the most difficult periods in its recent history. In terms of sporting performance, Metlaoui currently sits in 12th place in the standings, with three points from five matches. Faced with financial difficulties, unpaid wages, and uncertainty regarding the continuation of its operations, the club must now find a solution to prevent this crisis from further jeopardizing its future.
