Al Ahly Case Rejected

The Court of Arbitration on Sports, CAS, has rejected Al Ahly’s case to have the CAF Champions League final postponed. The Egyptian club was looking to have the game moved to another venue.

Al Ahly is due to meet Wydad Casablanca of Morocco in Rabat on Monday the 30th of May to decide who wins the 2022 CAF Champions League. With the final now being played as a one-legged affair, the Egyptians feel Wydad has an unfair home advantage.

In 2019, CAF took a decision to play the CAF Champions League final as a one-legged affair. Until then, all finals were played on a home and away basis. The hosting of the final is put to bids and the best bid wins. In 2022, only Senegal and Morocco fulfilled the bidding requirements, however, Senegal withdrew its bid, and the final was automatically given to Morocco.

Al Ahly decided to take CAF to the Court of Arbitration on Sports after it became clear that they would meet Wydad Casablanca in the final. The club even petitioned the Egypt FA to intervene and also bid to host the final. CAF has wished both teams well and re-iterated its stance on fairness.

“CAF is committed to the principles of fairness, justice, and equality of all clubs and Member Associations and will at all times treat all clubs and Member Associations fairly and equally,” read a statement from the football governing body.

It is likely that the final will revert to two legs from next season.