Algerian clubs have been banned by the country’s football authorities from completing any signings of foreign players due to the financial crisis resulting from the falling price of oil.

The country’s oil export revenue has almost halved since the beginning of the year, heavily affecting the North African nation’s economy, which relies heavily on oil sales. The oil market is responsible for 95 per cent of the country’s export income.

The Algerian Football Federation explained in a press release that the oil price problems which have been present throughout the year have produced a financial situation in the country in which the sport’s stakeholders can no longer “legally obtain currency to pay the salaries of foreign players”.

The statement on the Federation’s official website went on to explain that, “The federal bureau has decided to stop the recruitment of foreign players in professional clubs.”

According to the Federation, this ban begins with immediate effect, but does not affect players who are currently employed by the Algerian clubs, as they will be allowed to play out their contracts as normal.

This ruling affects a selection of around 30 or so footballers in the country, mostly from Africa, with some French born players also playing in the national top flight.