Ahly's hardcore football fans (photo: Ultras Ahlawy Facebook page)
Ahly's group of die-hard supporters, Ultras Ahlawy, has apologised for using firecrackers during the team's game against Kenyan side Tusker in the African Champions League.
The Champions League last 32 second-leg game, which took place at Alexandria's Borg El-Arab Stadium last month, was briefly interrupted when the ardent fans lit up flames before hurling them onto the pitch.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has consequently ordered Ahly to play their next four African games behind closed doors, with two matches suspended, and fined them $40,000.
"We are apologising to the Ahly fans for our mistake in the Tusker match after a firecracker was thrown onto the pitch, which led to a crowd ban for two games," Ultras Ahlawy said on its Facebook page.
"We are promising that we will not do any actions that could lead to such punishments and deprive the team of its fans in the future."
Recent crowd troubles have prompted the Egyptian Football Association to reverse a decision to allow fans to attend home African games.
Ahly will host Tunisia's Bizertin behind closed doors on Sunday in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16. The first leg ended in a goalless draw in Tunisia.
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