Ahly’s request for fans turned down by EFA

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday Jun 23, 2021. 13:00

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) have turned down Al Ahly’s request to have supporters present for their CAF Champions League clash against Esperance de Tunis this weekend.

Ahly host Esperance at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo on Saturday night for the return leg of their semifinal tie and were hoping to have at least some fans present in the stands.

However, the EFA have denied their request for a partial lifting of Covid-19 security measures.

“We informed Ahly that a security clearance was not granted. Security bodies responded to our request by saying the game would be played behind closed doors,” EFA interim head Ahmed Megahed said in a television interview, as quoted by Ahram Online.

Esperance enjoyed the support of 5,000 fans at the Olympic Stadium in Rades for the first leg last weekend, though ultimately it was Ahly who claimed a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal midway through the second half from Mohamed Sherif.

The aggregate winners of this clash will face either Kaizer Chiefs or Wydad Casablanca in the final on July 17.