Espérance reject away ticket allocation for Al-Swehly Champions League tie

Tunisian giants Espérance de Tunis have rejected their away ticket allocation for the first leg of their CAF Champions League tie against Libya’s Al-Swehly on 18 October, citing concerns over limited stadium capacity and equal access for their supporters.

The club said the decision was taken amid concerns that the available allocation would not adequately accommodate their travelling fans, raising questions about the arrangements for supporters ahead of the continental encounter.

Espérance also issued a warning to supporters planning to travel to Libya independently, stressing that they would do so at their own risk.

The Tunisian side’s position highlights the challenges clubs can face in managing away support for high-profile African club competitions, particularly when stadium capacity and ticket availability become contentious issues.

The first-leg encounter against Al-Swehly is scheduled for 18 October in Libya, with both teams seeking to gain an advantage in their CAF Champions League campaign.

Espérance, one of Tunisia’s most prominent clubs and a regular contender in African football, will be keen to navigate the tie successfully as they pursue continental success.

However, the ticket dispute adds an off-field dimension to the fixture, with the club’s concerns centred on the conditions under which their supporters can attend the match.

By rejecting the allocation, Espérance have made their position clear on the arrangements for visiting fans. Their warning to those considering independent travel also underlines the importance of supporters taking the club’s advice into account before making plans to attend the game.

Further details about the number of tickets offered, the stadium’s capacity and whether discussions will lead to revised arrangements have not been provided in the information available.

The return leg in Tunisia is expected to give Espérance the opportunity to play in front of their home supporters, although the outcome of the first meeting in Libya could prove important in determining the balance of the tie.