CAF expels Enyimba’s opponent ES Setif from champions league

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has disqualified Algerian side ES Setif from further participation in the ongoing 2016 CAF Champions League.

According to NAN, ES Setif was disqualified after the ugly incidents that marred their Group B match against visiting Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa on Saturday.

“This decision followed the regrettable incidents which took place during match no.98 of the 2016 CAF Champions League between ES
Setif and Mamelodi Sundowns, whereby the referee was obliged to abandon the said match before its end,” a statement on the CAF website read.

It added that match officials noted the pitch invasion in particular, as well as numerous throwing of missiles, stones, bottles, and firecrackers.

The statement said thisled to a certain number of spectators being injured and members of the security forces being provoked.

It said the CAF organising committee for the inter-club competitions decided to apply the provisions of Chapter XII paragraph 3.

“The Committee considered ES Sétif loser and eliminated from the competition without prejudice to any other sanctions that may be imposed by the CAF Disciplinary Board.

“This is because Chapter XII paragraph 3 stipulates thus: ‘If the referee is forced to stop the match before the end of the regular time because of invasion of the field or aggression against the visiting team, the host team shall be considered loser.

“It shall also be eliminated from the competition, without prejudice to the sanctions existing in the regulations,.”

It added that the result of the said match was cancelled in conformity with the spirit of article XI.13 of the regulations.

This regulation stipulates that “if a team withdraws after the start of the group matches without having played half of the group matches, the overall results of the matches in which this team participated is cancelled”.

The development leaves three teams in the group, with Zamalek of Egypt topping with three points. after defeating Enyimba 1-0 in the group’s other opening-day match in Port Harcourt.

The next fixture in the group is on Wednesday, when Enyimba visit Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria.