Al Ahly has resolved to drag the Confederation of African Football (CAF) before the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS) over its decision to hold the final of this year’s TotalEnergies CAF Champions League in Morocco The Trumpet gathered.
The Egyptian club, in a statement, described the action of CAF as one that goes contrary to the rule of fair play adding that the resolve by CAF gives one of the teams an edge over the other.
Al Ahly already afoot in the final after demolishing the Algerian club, ES Sétif 4-0 in the first leg of the semi-final at Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo, had earlier sent a letter to CAF to consider using a neutral venue to host the grand finale of CAF Champions League.
However, despite the letter sent to the continental football governing body by the North African club, CAF went ahead to announce Morocco as the venue for the final after Senegalese Football Association who were in the race to host it withdrew.
Moroccan club, Wydad AC is a finalist favourite which would probably see them slug it out with Egypt’s Al Ahly in their home country, an occurrence the Red Devils will not allow to take place.
However, Al Ahly have insisted to pursue its course until justice is served through a statement published on its official social media handles.
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The statement read: “Al Ahly SC decided to present an appeal to CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) against the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of not holding the 2022 CAF Champions League final in a neutral venue, aside from the venues of the four semi-finalists, in addition to other violations that do not meet the Olympic Charter, FIFA and CAF regulations.
“The club has previously demanded CAF to play the game in a neutral venue and will appeal against CAF’s decision, requesting CAS to
resolve the situation before the competition’s final.
“CAF announced in their statement, which was published yesterday on CAF’s official platforms, the chosen venue to host the game and
mentioned in the same statement that they are in discussions to revert to the old two-legged home and away final.
“Moreover, Al Ahly SC hopes that CAF will be keen not to disrupt justice and that they will provide CAS with all the required documents
that will help in achieving justice.
“Al Ahly’s decision to appeal to CAS came after CAF took the decision to hold the CAF Champions League final in the same venue for the second season in a row.
“This decision will give a home advantage to a certain team that will play at home in front of their fans in addition to violating other laws and regulations.
“CAF stated that their decision was based on the fact that there was only one bidder available to host the match without giving a proper explanation over the reasons behind the withdrawal of the other bid,” the statement read.
Al Ahly travel to Algeria on Saturday, May 14, 2022, to tackle ES Setif in the second leg of the semi-final while Wydad AC host Angolan club, Petro de Luanda at Mohammed V Stadium on Friday.
