Yassin Elsayed of Al Ahly SC during the CAF Champions League 2025/26 match between Al Ahly and ASFAR at Cairo International Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 15 February 2026 ©Weam Mostafa/BackpagePix
Tuesday Feb 17, 2026. 11:04
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has opened an investigation into what it has deemed “unacceptable” behaviour from Al Ahly fans in the Egyptian club’s CAF Champions League clash with AS FAR on Sunday.
The two sides met in their final 2025/26 Champions League group game at the Cairo International Stadium, where they played out a goalless draw. Both sides secured qualification for the knockout stage with Al Ahly finishing atop group B and AS FAR finishing second.
During the clash, Al Ahly fans threw water bottles at AS FAR players and staff as they headed into the tunnel at half-time. Reports also emerged of similar behaviour towards fans of the Moroccan club.
Following the clash on Sunday, the Moroccan club released a statement on social media condemning their treatment and confirmed it had contacted the governing body, imploring it to take action.
“The Royal Army Club administration strongly condemns the unsportsmanlike conduct of some Al Ahly fans, specifically the throwing of bottles, which posed a direct threat to the safety of the players and technical staff,” the statement reads.
“The administration confirms that it has initiated the necessary procedures by contacting the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to demand the application of the sanctions stipulated in the applicable regulations, in order to uphold the principles of sportsmanship and ensure the safety of all involved.”
In a statement of its own released on Monday, CAF announced it has opened an investigation into the incidents that took place during the fixture.
“The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) strongly condemns the unacceptable incidents which took place during the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League fixture between Al Ahly of Egypt and AS FAR of Morocco in Cairo on Sunday, 15 February 2026.
“CAF has referred the matter to the Disciplinary Board for investigation and has called for appropriate action to be taken against those proven responsible.”
AS FAR was dealt a two-match ban and a $100 000 fine for the behaviour of its own fans in the first leg of the meeting between the two clubs in November. The club had to play its following two CAF competition home fixtures behind closed doors.
It is expected that Al Ahly and its fans will receive a similar punishment.
By Nic Gleeson