Ahly, Zamalek to play behind closed doors in Champions League
Ahram Online, Friday 23 Aug 2013
Authorities impose a crowd-ban for security reasons for the Champions League matches


Ahly and Zamalek will have to do without their supporters when they host AC Leopards and Orlando Pirates in the African Champions League next weekend (31 August - 1 September).

According to Al-Ahram newspaper, the security authorities refused the supporters to access the games because of the current turmoil in Egypt.

Egypt has been witnessing violent clashes since the ouster of president Mohamed Morsi on 3 July.

Ahly and Zamalek will host AC Leopards and Orlando Pirates on 31 August and 1 September, respectively, in Gouna stadium on a Red Sea resort.

The Cairo giants failed to get the authorisation to play in Cairo at night because of the current crises and although they need all the support they can get, they will have to play in front of empty seats far from their home base.

Ahly are second of the Group A with four points while Zamalek's campaign seems in peril after collecting only one point after three games.

During the group stage opener, both teams' fans defied the ban and crowded the same Gouna stadium to watch the Zamalek-Ahly derby last month.

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