Algerian international Youcef Belaili and three other top-division players have been suspended from the game having tested positive for illegal substances. 

Numerous Algerian sports commentators are now blaming the Government and Algerian Football Federation (FAF) for a lack of consistent regulation.

London-based publication Al-Arabi al-Jadid claims the four recent cases are not isolated and highlights 10 other instances where players tested positive for drug-use since 2013.

An employee of a nightclub in Algiers told the newspaper that footballers frequented the club to "let off steam and get amphetamines and other drugs, which they believe will enhance their performance on the pitch".

Medical experts told Algeria’s El-Khabar newspaper that the football industry is in "chaos" as no doctors are assigned to clubs on a regular basis, while corruption in the game often leads to various problems being swept under the carpet.

Belaili was handed a two-year ban from national and international football in September after failing a test during a Confederation of African Football Champions League tie on August 7.

Some of the other players were suspended for up to four years, while various other players are still under investigation,

All have denied taking illicit substances, insisting they thought they were taking vitamin supplements.

The FAF has stated it will now conduct regular testing, requesting that football clubs supply information on training schedules in order to monitor players more consistently. 

But some have already questioned the FAF’s seriousness in the matter, and whether it will in fact fulfil its promises. 

Algeria's French language daily newspaper El-Watan attributes drug use among players to "disproportionately high salaries" coupled with young players' "lack of maturity".

Government and football officials have not yet commented on the reported increase in the use of stimulants and many feel the country’s participation in upcoming major football tournaments, including qualifying for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, could be under threat if action isn't taken soon. 

Allegations of "systematic, involuntary" doping were previously aimed at Algerian footballers after the children of a number of players in the national team which reached the 1982 and 1986 World Cups were born with severe disabilities.

National authorities have not commented on the allegations and an investigation has not taken place to date. 

Algeria was the only North African country to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

A spokesman for the World Anti-Doping Agency declined to comment when contacted by insidethegames about the allegations of widespread drug-taking in Algerian football.