CAF has imposed a substantial USD$25,000 [R430,000] fine on Orlando Pirates following their fiery CAF Champions League preliminary round clash against FC Saint Eloi Lupopo last month.
The Buccaneers were eliminated from the Champions League after a 3-3 aggregate draw, which they ultimately lost in a dramatic penalty shootout at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
The sanctions arise from two separate, serious breaches of competition and safety regulations during the second leg of the fixture at Orlando Stadium last month.
The fine comes after CAF decided that Pirates would not be reinstated into the competition, leaving the current standings unchanged. This decision followed the Buccaneers’ complaint about the ineligibility of Lupopo coach Guy Bukasa and two players, Henoc Molia and Khashala Wanet.
Regarding Bukasa, the Soweto giants argued that his suspension for a brawl during the Under-20 AFCON earlier this year in Egypt should have rendered him ineligible to sit on the bench.
Bukasa was the DR Congo head coach at the time, stepping down after his side lost 1-0 to South Africa in the quarter-finals. Due to this ban, Bukasa was prohibited from sitting on the bench for six CAF inter-club matches, including both legs of the Pirates fixture.
The Soweto giants also claimed to CAF that the Congolese team registered their player, Henoc Molia, outside the transfer window period and challenged the eligibility of Khashala Wanet, whom they alleged held two passports.
ORLANDO PIRATES’ FINE BY CAF EXPLAINED
FARPost has learnt that the bulk of the fine, USD$20,000 [R343,000], was imposed on Pirates for the “use of chemical products in the proximity to the locker-room area of FC Saint Eloi Lupopo.”
CAF’s disciplinary ruling highlighted the severity of the offence, stating the action “presented an unknown and potential risk to the health and safety of players and officials” of the visiting Congolese team.
This punitive measure confirms the allegations made by FC Lupopo following the match, who claimed a “toxic substance” was sprayed near their dressing room.
In addition to the “chemical offence”, the Soweto giants were handed a USD $5,000 [R85,700] fine for their failure to manage matchday logistics, specifically for “failing to provide the visiting team, FC Saint Eloi Lupopo, with the necessary accreditations.”
The lack of proper documentation led to “disorderly scenes and confrontations at the entrance of the stadium,” further marring the highly charged matchday atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the CAF Disciplinary Committee also issued a two-match ban to FC Lupopo’s Dieumerci Mukoko Amale for his theatrical and unsportsmanlike conduct during the same match.
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