CAF fines its president’s club after African Champions League fan disorder

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has fined its president’s club $100,000 after violent fan clashes at an African Champions League game between two teams that are going to the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States this summer.

Mamelodi Sundowns, owned by Patrice Motsepe – a South African mining billionaire and FIFA vice president – breached safety and security rules hosting an April 1 game against Esperance of Tunisia, CAF said in a disciplinary ruling late Thursday.Motsepe has been president of African football’s governing body CAF for four years and was re-elected unopposed last month.

The African football body said Sundowns “is required to strictly implement the safety and security measures specified in the CAF regulations, guidelines and directives, particularly in their upcoming matches”.

Esperance was fined $150,000 for the fan misconduct, CAF said, related to clashes in the stands at the quarterfinal, first-leg game.

Sundowns won the first leg 1-0 in Pretoria and advanced to the semifinals after the return game ended 0-0 in Tunis one week later. The South African team on Saturday hosts Al Ahly of Egypt – another Club World Cup team – in the first leg of the semifinals.