This weekend, the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League were played. Some meetings were marred by behavior deemed “undisciplined” by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which did not fail to make it known. Two matches in particular were targeted by CAF critics: Espérance Sportive de Tunis (EST)-JS Kabylie (in Tunisia) and Raja Casablanca and Al-Ahly (in Morocco).
In strongly condemning these acts, CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba indicated that the case will be entrusted to the competent bodies to investigate and take appropriate measures after the match had to be interrupted for several minutes after some fans threw objects on the field.
” The scenes in Tunis and Casablanca were unacceptable and we cannot tolerate that in football. We condemn the unruly actions of some supporters in the strongest terms. CAF will forward the file to our judicial structures for further investigation.he said, quoted in a communicated of the confederation.
As a reminder, violent incidents, including a fire, led to an interruption of more than 30 minutes of the EST-JSK match in Tunis. Testimonies collected by the media reveal that EST supporters tried to enter the field after the first half, but were prevented by police officers, thus causing clashes between fans and the police.
In the other match between Casablanca, Raja and Al Ahly, a young woman died of “malaise” while many supporters, some without tickets, crowded around the stadium. After the game which ended in a 0-0 draw, a general altercation broke out in a stand between rival groups of Raja ultras, marked in particular by incidents of bottle throwing.
The CAF official, however, noted that “The TotalEnergies Champions League quarter-finals were an incredible spectacle and advertisement for African football. We have seen exciting encounters which have once again reaffirmed the attractiveness of African club competitions”.
Note that at the end of this phase, the semi-final program is as follows:
ES de Tunis (Tunisia) – Al Ahly (Egypt)
Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) – Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
The first legs will be played on May 12 and 13, while the return matches will be played on May 19 and 20.