The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued a $60,000 fine and a stadium ban against Egypt’s Al-Ahly SC following crowd disturbances during their Champions League match against Morocco’s AS FAR. The club confirmed they received formal notice from CAF’s disciplinary committee, which includes a two-match ban for supporters, though the second match of the ban is suspended contingent on future conduct.
Financial penalties
The total financial penalty consists of a $50,000 fine for general crowd trouble and an additional $10,000 specifically for the use of laser pointers by fans. These sanctions follow an investigation into the group-stage match where spectators threw water bottles onto the pitch and engaged in the exchange of projectiles between the stands.
Impact on upcoming quarter-finals
The ruling will directly impact Al Ahly’s quarter-final campaign against Tunisia’s Espérance de Tunis. While the first leg will be played in Tunisia on March 15, the decisive second leg on March 21 at the Cairo International Stadium must now be held behind closed doors.
This decision follows a formal complaint lodged by AS FAR regarding the security incidents that occurred during their goalless draw in Cairo last month.
