Al Hilal disciplined over Al Ahly incidents

Assistant Referee keeps Abuaagla Mohamed Ahmed of Al Hilal and Hamdy Fathy of Al Ahly apart as the players argue during the CAF Champions League 2022/23 match between Al Hilal and Al Ahly held at Al-Hilal Stadium in Omdurman, Sudan on 18 February 2023 ©Sameh Abo EL Hassan/BackpagePix

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday Mar 08, 2023. 13:29

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has taken action against Al Hilal for breaches of misconduct during their Champions League clash with Al Ahly on February 18.

The Red Eagles lodged a complaint with CAF in the wake of incidents which occurred before, during and after the match at the Al Hilal Stadium in Omdurman.

Marcel Koller’s side were subjected to abuse from supporters of the Sudanese club during a training session on February 17 and despite the game being played behind closed doors, the Blue Wave allowed 1,000 fans into the stadium.

Al Hilal team doctor Awad Elseed Osman Ahmed Mukhtar was then involved in a physical altercation with Al Ahly defender Mohamed Abdelmonem on the pitch during the matchday 2 encounter and received a red card, while players from the visiting team were assaulted by home supporters when they left the pitch after the final whistle.

CAF announced on Tuesday that the Sudan Premier League champions have been fined for their transgressions and Mukhtar will serve a four-match African ban.

“The Disciplinary Board ruled to suspend the Team doctor Mr. Awad Elseed Osman Ahmed Mukhtar for four (4) CAF interclubs matches [and to] impose upon the club, Al Hilal, a fine of 10,000 USD for the unsporting aggressive behaviour of the Team doctor,” a statement from CAF read.

“The doctor is banned from sitting at the touchline bench and accessing the dressing rooms.

“On the charges on Al Hilal, the Disciplinary Board Ruled to impose upon a financial sanction of $20,000 for the lack of security during the training session and at the end of the match [and] to limit the attendance of the number of people assisting in matches to be played behind closed doors to 30 people in the tribune along with the operational and technical staff.

“Al Hilal club is already playing their home matches during the group stage of the Champions league behind closed doors. In an event that, the number of attendees in the next matches of Al Hilal Club played behind closed doors exceed the above-mentioned quota, a fine of 50,000 USD will be automatically imposed upon Al Hilal Club.”