The Confederation of African Football (CAF) issued a strongly worded official statement, expressing its full condemnation of what it described as the unacceptable behavior witnessed during the match between Egypt’s Al-Ahly and Morocco’s FAR Rabat, which took place at Cairo International Stadium as part of the final round of the group stage of the African Champions League.
The continental football body confirmed in its statement that the reports received from the match observers necessitated immediate action, as it was decided to transfer the entire file to the Disciplinary Committee of the Federation, in order to open a comprehensive and thorough investigation into all the circumstances, in preparation for taking the necessary strict disciplinary measures against the parties involved, to ensure that such scenes are not repeated in African stadiums.
Details of the match and the qualification of both teams
On a technical level, the match held at Cairo Stadium ended in a goalless draw, a result sufficient to determine the fate of both teams in the group. With this draw, Al Ahly secured their place at the top of Group B with 10 points, booking their spot in the quarterfinals as group winners. They were joined by Morocco's FAR Rabat, who finished second with 9 points, meaning both teams advanced to the knockout stages in their quest for the most prestigious continental title.
Context of events and CAF's strict standards
This move by CAF comes as part of its growing commitment in recent years to enforcing discipline in stadiums, particularly in high-profile matches and North African derbies, which are typically characterized by intense passion and fierce competition. By activating its disciplinary committees, the African Football Confederation aims to send a firm message to all clubs and national federations about the necessity of adhering to the principles of sportsmanship and safety standards, as the safety of players, fans, and officials is considered a red line that cannot be crossed.
Expected repercussions and penalties
The disciplinary committee's investigations are expected to yield decisions that could impact the clubs' progress in the upcoming rounds. Penalties in such cases typically range from hefty fines to banning fans from attending several matches, and in extreme instances, even requiring matches to be played at neutral venues. The sporting community, particularly Al Ahly fans, are anxiously awaiting the results of these investigations, given the crucial role of fan support in the decisive quarter-final matches. The fans are often the most influential factor in determining the outcome for the top teams in Africa.
