Tunisian Ligue 1: Espérance vs. CS Sfaxien to Be Played Behind Closed Doors
The much-anticipated Tunisian Ligue 1 Classic between Espérance de Tunis (4th) and CS Sfaxien (3rd), scheduled for Matchday 12 this Sunday, will take place behind closed doors, following disciplinary measures imposed by the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF).
This decision was confirmed by the FTF’s federal office during an appeal hearing. In addition to the spectator ban, Espérance de Tunis has been fined 10,000 dinars due to regionalist chants and banners displayed by its supporters during a previous match against Étoile Sportive du Sahel.
Broader Sanctions
This isn’t an isolated case. The closed-door ruling was also upheld on appeal for the matches involving Étoile du Sahel and CA Bizertin, who face similar accusations regarding inappropriate conduct by fans.
With no fans allowed in the stands, the clash between Espérance and Sfaxien—typically one of the most heated fixtures in the Tunisian calendar—will lose much of its usual atmosphere. However, both sides remain determined to battle for critical points in the race for the title.
