After recent fan violence between Mamelodi Sundowns and Esperance supporters, we have word from a lawyer on what CAF regulations state on possible sanctions.
Violence erupted between Sundowns and Esperance supporters at Loftus Versfeld in a CAF Champions League quarterfinal first-leg encounter on Tuesday.
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The Tunisian giants have reportedly written to CAF as a complaint against their hosts, as they felt their supporters were not protected and had to fight for their lives.
Attorney Lesedi Mphahlele has noted recent implications of fan violence at stadiums, amid the outcry from the ugly scenes at Loftus.
"Through case law, we learn that CAF takes strict measures to maintain sportsmanship and discipline during its competitions," Mphahlele, who is also a Director at Fairbridges Wertheim Becker Attorneys, said in writing, exclusively to KickOff.com.
"When fans engage in anti-sportsmanship conduct, associations and clubs they support suffer the most repercussions.
"In 2024, several football clubs were penalised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for misconduct related to fan behaviour during CAF competitions.
"Al Ahli Tripoli from Libya faced sanctions for their supporters' actions during a match against Simba Sports Club of Tanzania in September 2024.
"The club was ordered to play two future matches behind closed doors and fined USD 20,000, with one match's sanction suspended for a year," explained the legal expert.
"Similarly, CR Belouizdad of Algeria was fined USD 10,000 after their fans used smoke bombs during a Champions League match against Orlando Pirates in November 2024.
"AS FAR from Morocco also faced penalties, including fines for both smoke bombs and the use of lasers during a match against Mamelodi Sundowns in December 2024."
Mphahlele also revealed what the CAF Disciplinary Code states in such instances.
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"Additionally, CAF's Disciplinary Code under Article 132(3) specifies that spectators engaging in racist or discriminatory behaviour will face a ban from attending any CAF events for at least 2 years.
"These measures emphasise CAF's commitment to maintaining discipline and ensuring Fair Play across its competitions.
"Whilst it is not up to us to make a determination as who the instigators of the violent conduct displayed during the match between Sundowns and Esperance are, all of which is subject to the investigations and/or determination by CAF, there is a party and/or parties that must be held accountable in terms of the CAF regulations," declared Mphahlele.