Following the regrettable scenes of fan violence that marred their CAF Champions League quarterfinal first-leg match against Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Tuesday, Esperance Sportive de Tunis has announced its intention to lodge a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The disturbances erupted shortly after the final whistle of Sundowns’ 1-0 victory, with initial reports suggesting that Esperance fans initiated the confrontation within the stadium stands.
Eyewitness accounts and reports indicate that Esperance supporters breached security barriers, engaged in physical altercations with Mamelodi Sundowns fans, and caused damage to stadium infrastructure.
Read: Sundowns take goal and clean sheet to Tunisia for second-leg showdown with Esperance
Overwhelmed, security personnel and police struggled to regain control of the situation, resulting in injuries to numerous fans. Some Esperance supporters sought safety by entering the field of play and were subsequently escorted out of the stadium by law enforcement. A number of injured Esperance fans received initial medical attention near the team’s dressing rooms.
However, in an official statement released on their social media platforms, Esperance asserted that their supporters were “exposed to violence” in Pretoria and confirmed their commitment to filing a comprehensive complaint with CAF regarding the incidents that transpired.
“The Tunisian Sports Al-Taraji assures all the Al-Tarji fans, especially the families of loved ones who have migrated to South Africa, that all our supporters are fine and have returned to Johannesburg safe and sound. The club’s management has ensured to secure and provide the necessary transport to leave the stadium and take them to the train station.
The Tunisian sportsman Al-Taraji informs all his fans that the three loved ones who were taken to the hospital are in stable condition and are in the process of receiving treatment.
This and the Tunisian sportsman Al-Taraji confirms that he is preparing a complete file containing all the documents and supports that benefit our fans being exposed to violence in Pretoria Stadium and will send it to the African Football Confederation.
The Tunisian sportsman Al-Taraji ensures to take all the necessary measures to defend the rights of our supporters with all the documents that confirm the organizational breaches that took place throughout the match stadium which violate what was agreed upon during the previous technical meeting where during the second half the isolated stadium was opened.
The fans of the Tunisian sports club separate the fans of the Sundowns team and we have all the supporters that document and confirm this and will be sent in the file that we prepared regarding all that happened in this match.
The Tunisian Sports Al-Taraji has great confidence in its fans, who will be present in large numbers in the return match to support the players and help them achieve the result that ensures us to qualify for the golden square of this competition, and we also have great confidence in the team to turn the data into the second match and win the ticket to the semi-finals.
All thanks again to our dear loved ones who were present today at Pretoria Stadium and we thank God for everyone’s safety and no serious injuries in our boys’ rows.
Long live the Tunisian athlete Al-Taraji
And long live his loyal fans”