Mokhtar Arribi

In 1958, alongside Mohamed Boumezrag, he helped found the FLN team, a clandestine squad created to amplify the voice of the Algerian War of Independence throughout the world and give a sporting dimension to the national cause. Composed primarily of professional players from mainland France, Arribi played a central role, first as a player and then as the team's coach between 1958 and 1961. French authorities successfully lobbied FIFA to deny the team's recognition, and FIFA threatened sanctions against those who opposed it. Despite this ban, the "Independence Team" played over 80 matches, primarily in the Arab world, but also in Vietnam, Yugoslavia, China, and Romania.

After his playing career, he established himself as a coach. He notably managed CS Hammam Lif, Avignon, the FLN team, ES Sétif on several occasions, CS Sfax, Libya, and then the Algerian national team in 1985. His most significant period remains his time at ES Sétif, with whom he won several major titles. His coaching record with ES Sétif is particularly impressive: Algerian Championship 1967-1968, Algerian Cup 1967-1968, Algerian Cup 1979-1980, Algerian Championship 1986-1987, then the African Cup of Champions Clubs 1988 and the Afro-Asian Cup 1988-1989.

Mokhtar Arribi passed away in Sétif on September 4, 1989, at the age of 65. He therefore remains a key player in Maghreb and Algerian football, through his playing career in France and Tunisia, his involvement in the FLN, and his influence as a coach over several generations, a lasting reference in Algerian national football.