Menzi Magubane
Al Ahly has turned to the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS), demanding that it change to a neutral venue for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League final on Monday.
The Egyptian giants are opposing CAF’s decision to take the final to Stade Mohamed V in Morocco, which is the Wydad Athletic Club’s home venue.
Ahly will face Wydad in the final and one of their demands to CAS is to postpone the match.
CAF announced last week that the final will be held in Morocco at the same venue where Ahly defeated Kaizer Chiefs to defend its Champions League title last season.
The Red Devils have already sent a letter of complaint to CAS.
“Al Ahly’s legal team submitted on Tuesday the club’s complaint to CAS against CAF’s unfair decision over CAF Champions League final venue.
“CAF has decided to hold the game at the same venue for the second consecutive season, giving one team home advantage in the final,” said Ahly in a statement.
“The legal team submitted all the documents and paid the required fees. The legal team highlighted the club’s demands of either holding the game in a neutral venue or postponing the game until CAS determines the case.”
Ahly are within their rights to complain and demand a neutral venue.
On Sunday they were held by Angolan outfit Petro de Luanda in the semi-final second leg. They managed to progress to the final as they had defeated the Angolans in the first leg.
The final will be Al Ahly’s third consecutive final and they could make history if they manage to win it. They could become the first team to win the competition three times in a row.
Image source: @CafOnline
