The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced that Morocco will host the final of the 2022 CAF Champions League on May 30.
In a statement posted on their website, the CAF said it had received bids from the Senegalese Football Federation and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to host the 2022 Champions League final.
However, the rights to host the continental club competition final was handed to Morocco after the Senegalese withdrew their bid.
This means CAF ignored a letter written by Al-Ahly to have the 2022 CAF Champions League final moved to a ‘neutral’ venue.
Ahly formally requested from the CAF on Sunday to choose a ‘neutral’ venue for the final to ensure fair play and equity among the contenders.
Al-Ahly stressed in the letter that the game should be held in a ‘neutral’ venue, since CAF did not choose the hosting country in an earlier stage, noting that giving one of the four teams the home advantage in the final contradicts the fair play standards.
Al-Ahly of Egypt and Wydad Casablanca of Morocco are the favourites to win this year final after winning their first-leg matches in the semi-finals by great margins.
And Al-Ahly did that because they have one foot in the CAF Champions League final alongside Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca after their weekend results.
Both matches took place this weekend, with Ahly defeating ES Setif of Algeria 4-0 in Cairo and Wydad beating Petro de Luanda 3-1 in Angola.
Furthermore, CAF confirmed that this year’s CAF Champions League final, which will be played over a single leg, will be played on May 30 as scheduled.
CAF further revealed that there are discussions underway to revert back to the old two-legged home and away final to determine the ultimate Champions League winners.