Hichem Chérif El-Ouazzani

Hichem Chérif El-Ouazzani (born 1 January 1996) is an Algerian professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for IRB El Kerma.

Professional career Chérif El-Ouazzani made his professional debut with MC Alger in a 2-1 Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 loss to RC Arbaâ 29 May 2015.

On 31 January 2019, El-Ouazzani was sentenced to a four-year suspension and a big fine after being tested positive for doping substances, including cocaine. However, he said that he did not intend to become doped when he smoked waterpipe with his friends on the eve of the match against the CR Belouizdad on 17 January. The player also assured that he did not know that the substances in question were mixed with tobacco. The test showed positive on methylergometrine and benzoylecgonine, which is the main metabolite of cocaine.

International career Chérif El-Ouazzani made his debut for the Algeria national football team in a 1-1 2018 African Nations Championship qualification tie with Libya on 18 August 2017.

Personal life Hichem Chérif El-Ouazzani is the son of the manager and former international footballer Tahar Chérif El-Ouazzani.

Controversy On January 31, 2019, Hichem Chérif El-Ouazzani was suspended for 4 years by the Algerian League's Discipline Commission due to doping affair. However the suspension was reduced to 2 years.