Ahly fans. Photo courtesy of Al-Ahly Facebook page.
Ahly were held to a goalless draw by FAR Rabat on Sunday as both sides advanced to the quarter-finals of Africa’s elite club competition.
The match saw Ahly supporters throw a large number of water bottles onto the pitch, while videos showed fans of both teams exchanging thrown objects in the stands.
“During the game, some FAR Rabat fans tried to storm the Ahly stands and security forces prevented them. Unfortunately, their behavior prompted a reaction from some Ahly fans, which is categorically rejected by the club’s board,” Ahly said in a statement on their official website on Monday.
“We presented videos documenting the incidents to CAF, including the reaction of some Ahly fans who committed this behavior for the first time, while stressing our complete rejection of such actions. Our strong relations with our Moroccan brothers will remain constant and strong,” the statement added.
After the match, FAR lodged an official complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), calling on the governing body to impose heavy sanctions on Ahly.
CAF said on Monday it had “strongly condemned the unacceptable incidents” that took place during the game and had referred the matter to its Disciplinary Board for investigation, with appropriate action to be taken against those found responsible.
Ahly added that they had opted not to file a complaint over incidents during the reverse fixture in Rabat on 28 November.
That match was also marred by crowd trouble, with FAR supporters throwing projectiles, including a sharp object, onto the pitch, prompting a suspension lasting several minutes.
CAF later fined the Moroccan club $100,000 and ordered them to play two matches behind closed doors as punishment for their supporters’ behavior during that game.
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