Al Ahly could be forced to play their upcoming knockout matches in the CAF Champions League behind closed doors following serious crowd disturbances during their group stage clash with AS FAR in Cairo.
Players of the Moroccan side were subjected to hostile behaviour from sections of the home crowd at Cairo International Stadium as they headed towards the tunnel at halftime.
Bottles and other objects were thrown from the stands, creating a dangerous situation that was captured clearly by television cameras. Security officials were forced to intervene swiftly, forming a human shield around the players to prevent further escalation.
The match itself was fiercely contested, with both teams chasing top spot in Group B. Al Ahly enjoyed the majority of possession but found it difficult to break down AS FAR’s organised and disciplined defence. The goalless draw ultimately secured AS FAR’s place in the quarterfinals with nine points, as they finished second in the group behind their Egyptian hosts.
The ugly scenes off the pitch have reignited debate over disciplinary consistency in African football. Earlier in the competition, AS FAR were sanctioned for crowd-related incidents in the first meeting between the two sides, with CAF ordering the Moroccan club to play two matches without supporters.
That precedent has led many observers to question whether the Confederation of African Football will apply the same standards of fairness by holding Al Ahly accountable for the actions of their fans. CAF regulations place strong emphasis on player safety and clearly state that host clubs are responsible for maintaining secure conditions inside stadiums.
With the incidents widely circulated through broadcast footage, attention has now shifted to CAF’s Disciplinary Committee, which is expected to review the referee’s and match officials’ reports before reaching a decision. Incidents of this nature have often resulted in financial penalties or matches being played behind closed doors.
As the football community awaits CAF’s ruling, AS FAR have already turned their focus to preparations for the knockout stage. Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding fan conduct in Cairo continues to dominate discussions across African football, raising renewed calls for strict and consistent enforcement of disciplinary rules.
