Al-Hilal to host Al Ahly inside empty stadium

by Staff Reporter

Thursday Feb 17, 2022. 12:00

Al-Hilal have been informed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that supporters will no longer be able to attend the home Champions League tie against Al Ahly on Friday.

The decision comes less than 24 hours after CAF had approved the Blues Waves’ request to allow up to 15,000 fans to watch the Group A clash at the Blue Jewel Stadium.

No reason was given for the governing body’s change of stance on the matter, although new compliance regulations have already seen a number of venues banned from hosting games in Africa’s elite club competition.

One of the clubs affected is Al-Merreikh, who announced they will be playing their home matches at Al Ahly’s Al Salam Stadium in Cairo.

The Sudan Premier League champions revealed CAF’s reversal on their Facebook page, saying: “Al-Hilal has received an official letter from CAF banning fans from the game against Ahly at the Blue Jewel Stadium.

“The club’s board will hold an emergency meeting at 10am on Thursday to discuss the decision.”

Joao Mota’s side opened their continental campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa on February 11 and prop up the group ahead of the defending champions’ visit to Omdurman.