CAF weighs sanctions against Esperance officials after Champions League exit

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is reportedly considering disciplinary action against Esperance de Tunis following controversial remarks made by head coach Patrice Beaumelle.

Esperance’s campaign in the CAF Champions League came to an end after back-to-back 1-0 defeats to Mamelodi Sundowns. The fallout from the second leg has since drawn significant attention, particularly due to Beaumelle’s criticism of officiating decisions.

The coach openly questioned CAF’s appointment of Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, insisting that a penalty awarded to Sundowns during the match was incorrect.

Reports indicate that CAF’s Disciplinary Committee is now reviewing the incident, with potential sanctions looming over both Beaumelle and Esperance player Aboubacar Diakite.

According to African journalist Micky Jnr, the coach is the primary focus of the investigation due to his post-match statements.

Diakite could also face punishment after he kicked the ball toward the assistant referee following the final whistle, an act that has been flagged for misconduct.

CAF is expected to examine match footage alongside media comments before delivering a final verdict, as the governing body looks to uphold disciplinary standards in its competitions.