CAF order replay of Champions League final

by Staff Reporter

Thursday Jun 06, 2019. 12:14

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has ordered the abandoned second leg of the Champions League final between Esperance de Tunis and Wydad Casablanca to be replayed at a neutral venue.

Tunisia’s Esperance were initially awarded the title after Moroccan side Wydad walked off an hour into last week's return match in Tunis, protesting at the unavailability of VAR to judge a disallowed equaliser.

Holders Esperance were leading 1-0 in the match and 2-1 overall when play was halted, and after a 90-minute delay the referee awarded the match to the ‘Blood and Gold’.

"The playing and security conditions were not met during the second leg of the CAF Champions League final, preventing the match from reaching its conclusion," CAF presidential advisor Hedi Hamel said after an executive committee meeting in Paris.

"As a result, the match will have to be replayed at a ground outside of Tunisia... [and] Esperance will have to give trophy back. The match will be played after the Africa Cup of Nations [which concludes on July 19] at a date to be determined," Hamel added.