The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has imposed a $100,000 fine on Mamelodi Sundowns following crowd disturbances during their CAF Champions League quarterfinal match against Esperance de Tunis on April 1, 2025, at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
The South African club was found guilty of violating Articles 82 and 83.2 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, as well as Articles 32 and 35 of the CAF Safety and Security Regulations.
The disciplinary action stems from violent clashes that erupted after the final whistle of Sundowns’ 1-0 victory over Esperance.
Reports indicate that Esperance supporters breached barriers, engaged in physical altercations with Sundowns fans, and caused damage to stadium infrastructure.
Security personnel struggled to contain the situation, leading to injuries among fans. Some Esperance supporters sought refuge on the field and were later escorted out of the stadium by police. Three Esperance fans were hospitalized but reported to be in stable condition.
In response to the incident, Mamelodi Sundowns expressed deep concern over the unruly behavior displayed during the match.
The club stated that videos circulating on social media depicted malicious damage to the stadium and that Sundowns supporters were retreating from violent conduct initiated against them, including the use of flares and pepper spray.
Sundowns emphasized their commitment to cooperating with CAF to finalize its investigation ahead of the return leg.
Esperance de Tunis announced their intention to file a complaint with CAF, alleging that their fans were exposed to violence in Pretoria. The Tunisian club claimed that segregated fan zones were compromised during the second half, contradicting agreements made during the pre-match technical meeting.
Esperance stated they have documentation proving organizational failures at Loftus Versfeld Stadium and are preparing a comprehensive file to submit to CAF.
CAF has mandated that Mamelodi Sundowns implement strict safety and security measures in accordance with its regulations, guidelines, and directives, particularly in their upcoming matches.
