NEWS
CAF Respond To Egypt Bid, Explain Why SA Dropped Out
The Confederation of African Football has responded to Egypt’s late bid to host this year’s CAF Champions League final after it was controversially awarded to Morocco and also explained why South Africa dropped out.
Earlier this week, CAF announced that Morocco will host the second successive CAFCL final, which has caused an outcry on the continent and beyond, with Wydad Casablanca on the verge of having a home final.
The Moroccan giants beat Petro de Luanda 3-1 away from home in their first leg and can book their final ticket on Friday night, with Al Ahly expected to be the other after winning their semi-final first leg 4-0 at home against ES Setif.
However, Al Ahly have reacted furiously to the announcement and even taken the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, while also requesting the Egyptian Football Association to make a late bid to host the final.
After EFA did actually submit a bid, CAF immediately responded and rejected it.
“CAF received a letter from the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports referring to the request by the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) and Al Ahly SC for a neutral venue of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions Final,” CAF said in a statement.
“CAF appreciates and fully understands the complaints and concerns raised by Al Ahly SC and the EFA and is committed to the principles of fairness, justice and equality of all clubs and member associations.
“However, CAF was obligated to adhere to and implement the decision that was taken by the previous CAF leadership in July 2019, which was that the TotalEnergies Champions League final would be a one-leg final rather than the usual two-legged home and away final.
“Furthermore, CAF is also bound by the CAF and FIFA rules which do not allow competition rules to be changed once the competition has started.
“Morocco and Senegal were the only countries that fulfilled the host country bid criteria, after CAF requested its 54 member associations to submit bids to host the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League one-leg final. Egypt did not submit a bid.”
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CAF also explain that South Africa and Nigeria had already dropped out of the race to host the CAFCL final earlier in the process.
“South Africa and Nigeria submitted documents expressing an interest to host the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League but did not fulfil the host country bidding criteria,” the statement explained.
“Egypt did submit a bid to host the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Final but did not fulfil the host country bidding criteria.
“CAF subsequently awarded the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final to Morocco, after Senegal withdrew its bid.
“As previously stated, there are currently discussions underway within CAF to revert to the old two-legged home and away final to determine the winner of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, rather than the one-leg final.”
Source Link CAF Respond To Egypt Bid, Explain Why SA Dropped Out