Caf probes Egyptian supporters’ violence

CAIRO – Egyptian football was thrown further into disarray after the African Football Confederation said Monday it will investigate a violent pitch invasion by fans of Cairo club Zamalek in an African Champions League match.

Caf said in a statement that its disciplinary body will meet in Johannesburg in April to consider reports by match officials after home fans rushed the field at Cairo Stadium to attack the referee and visiting players in Saturday’s game against Tunisian team Club Africain.With the game level at 1-1 and Club Africain leading 5-3 on aggregate, Algerian referee Mohamed Meknoz disallowed a Zamalek goal for offside three minutes into injury time, prompting the violence. The match was abandoned soon after. ‘Caf reiterates its call to all national associations, clubs, players and supporters to help enforce and promote the spirit of fair play in all Caf competitions,’ the statement said.No exact date for the Caf disciplinary meeting was given. Another Cairo club, Al Ahly, is due to host a Champions League last 16 game at the same stadium in early May. Zamalek could face a three-year ban from African club competition.The Egyptian Football Association also responded to the violence – where stick-wielding fans clashed with police and supporters damaged the goal posts – by postponing the planned return of the country’s domestic football league.In an emergency meeting Sunday, its second in four days, the EFA apologized to Club Africain and said the Egyptian league would not resume next week, as it had announced on Thursday.EFA President Samir Zaher was also part of a group of officials that visited the Tunisian embassy in Cairo to make a formal apology to the ambassador, the EFA said. ‘The Board of Directors of the Egyptian Football Association and the president, Samir Zaher, apologize to the Tunisian people and Tunisia’s Club Africain after the unfortunate events that took place in the Zamalek match,’ EFA said on its website. – Nampa-AP

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