CAF Officially Sanctions Al Ahly to Play Behind Closed Doors, Confirming Al-Botola Exclusive

The Disciplinary Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued its official decision regarding the incident during the CAF Champions League match between Egypt's Al-Ahly and Morocco's AS FAR.

The Disciplinary Committee's rulings include sanctioning Al-Ahly with playing two matches behind closed doors, with the execution of one match's ban suspended for a probationary period of one calendar year. Additionally, Al-Ahly has been fined $60,000. The committee also decided to fine AS FAR $20,000.

These decisions, announced on Thursday morning, confirm an exclusive report by "Al-Botola" regarding the sanctions, which was published 72 hours prior to the official announcement. Sources close to CAF's Disciplinary Committee had revealed the committee's intention to take several disciplinary actions concerning the match played on February 15 at Cairo International Stadium in the Egyptian capital, between AS FAR and Al-Ahly in the CAF Champions League.

A reliable source within CAF told "Al-Botola" that the committee was preparing to issue a decision for Al-Ahly to play two matches behind closed doors, with the execution of one match suspended for future enforcement should similar violations recur, in addition to imposing financial penalties. This comes in the wake of organizational and security issues observed during Al-Ahly's match against AS FAR in the final group stage fixture, the sixth round of the CAF Champions League.

This decision means that Al-Ahly's upcoming second-leg quarter-final match against Tunisia's Esperance, scheduled for March 21, will be played behind closed doors.