Mosimane’s Ahly appeal to CAS over Champions League final neutral venue

Defending African champions Al Ahly have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS] against the decision of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to hold the 2022 Caf Champions League final in a venue that is not neutral.

The Egyptian side’s decision to appeal to CAS came after Caf decided to hold the Caf Champions League final in the same venue for the second season running.

“This decision will give a home advantage to a certain team that will play at home in front of their fans in addition to violating other laws and regulations.”

Morocco, who have Wydad Casablanca representing them in the semifinals, were awarded the rights to host the final for the second year running.

“The club has previously demanded CAF to play the game in a neutral venue and will appeal against Caf’s decision, requesting CAS to resolve the situation before the competition’s final.

“Caf announced in their statement, which was published yesterday [Monday] on Caf’s official platforms, the chosen venue to host the game and mentioned in the same statement that they are in discussions to revert to the old two-legged home and away final,” the club said in a statement.

The 10-time African champions said they hoped that Caf would be keen not to disrupt justice and that they would provide CAS with all the required documents that will help in achieving justice.

Caf stated that their decision was based on the fact that only one bidder was available to host the match without adequately explaining the reasons behind the withdrawal of the other bid.

Meanwhile, Ahly president Mahmoud El-Khatib has called for an urgent meeting for the club’s board and Al Ahly’s Football Company on Sunday morning to discuss the club’s position regarding the neutral venue issue.
The meeting will be held after the return leg of the competition’s semi-finals which will decide the two teams that will face off in the final.

El-Khatib assigned the club’s legal department to study the case and revise the regulations of FIFA and CAF to prepare a report, which the board will discuss in the next meeting to make the best decision that preserves the club’s rights.

On Saturday, the Red Devils, who are under the tutelage of Pitso Mosimane, visit Algeria’s ES Setif in the second leg of the CAF Champions League semis. They carry a comfortable 4-0 lead from the first leg played in Cairo last weekend. Wydad host Angola’s Petro Athletic on Saturday at home after a convincing 3-1 away win in the first leg.