CAIRO: Ahly urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to start a crackdown on rioters following the crowd trouble which marred their Champions League clash against Esperance.
The Red Devils claimed a 2-1 home victory over Tunisia’s Esperance in the first leg of the Champions League semi finals but the exciting game was tarnished by some unfortunate incidents in the visitors’ stands.
Esperance fans ripped off seats at Cairo Stadium and let off illegal flares after right-back Ahmed Fathi gave Ahly a 2-0 lead in the second half.
They also sparked outrage in Egypt after TV cameras caught a dozen of them beating up two stewards, who were eventually taken to hospital for treatment.
In a note sent to CAF, Ahly called on the African governing body to come down hard on the culprits to avoid ‘the adverse consequences of silence’.
"Ahly warned CAF against the ill-effects of silence over the violent acts of some fans," general manager Muharram Al-Ragheb said on the club’s official website on Tuesday.
"The rioters should be dealt with everywhere. The mere fines are no longer useful, they failed to deter those people.
"The club does not mean to complain against Esperance but it just wants to set the alarm bells ringing to underline the importance of tackling the problem of football hooliganism.
"Our relationship with all Tunisian clubs is very warm and prevails against any problems."
Ahly filed a complaint against JS Kabylie earlier in the Champions League when their bus was stoned before and after the group-stage clash in Algeria.
CAF only handed Ahly and Kabylie $10,000 and 25,000 fines respectively.
Ahly chairman Hassan Hamdi paid a visit to the injured stewards, who were on the receiving end of many punches and kicks during Sunday’s game against Esperance.
"The club also wishes to express its utmost respect for the Egyptian police, which exerts lots of efforts to secure everyone in the matches."
