CAF rejects Al Ahly appeal, obliges Egyptian giants to face Espérance behind closed doors

Egyptian giants Al Ahly will play their crucial clash against Espérance Sportive de Tunis in the CAF Champions League without fans, after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Committee refused to consider the club’s complaint.

Al Ahly are set to host Espérance in the second leg of the quarter-finals next Saturday at Cairo International Stadium, but the match will be played behind closed doors.

According to reports from Tunisian radio Mosaique FM, the CAF Appeals Committee rejected reviewing Al Ahly’s request regarding the disciplinary sanctions imposed on the club. The penalties include two matches without fans (one suspended) in addition to a financial fine.

The report added that the Appeals Committee declined to examine the case during its meeting on Tuesday, despite Al Ahly’s request for an urgent decision ahead of the decisive second-leg encounter in Cairo.

As a result, it has been confirmed that the stands at Cairo International Stadium will be empty, with Egyptian supporters unable to attend one of the team’s most important matches in the continental competition.

⚽ Follow Pan-Africa Football across platforms for real-time news and stories.