CAF fines Mamelodi Sundowns $100,000 over stadium safety breaches

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed a $100,000 fine on South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns following multiple safety and security violations during their CAF Champions League fixture against Stade Malien in Tshwane.

The disciplinary action stems from a series of incidents flagged by CAF match officials, including overcrowding inside the stadium, failures in crowd control systems, blocked emergency gangways, the entry of prohibited items into the venue, and shortcomings in accreditation procedures.

The governing body described the situation as a breach of essential matchday safety protocols required for elite continental competitions.

According to CAF’s ruling, the combination of operational lapses created a potentially hazardous environment for spectators, players, and officials.

The report highlighted that stadium safety standards were not adequately enforced, raising concerns about match organisation and security coordination on the day of the fixture.

In addition to the financial penalty, CAF issued a formal warning to Mamelodi Sundowns, stressing that any recurrence of similar violations could result in more severe sanctions.

These may include playing future continental matches behind closed doors or additional disciplinary measures affecting home fixtures.

The decision serves as part of CAF’s broader effort to strengthen safety compliance across its club competitions, ensuring that stadiums hosting high-profile fixtures meet required international standards for security and crowd management.