Setback for Sundowns in Africa

Mamelodi Sundowns are back on zero points in the CAF Champions League after ES Setif were kicked out.
Sundowns are back on zero points in the CAF Champions League after ES Setif were kicked out.

Mamelodi Sundowns have lost the three points they gained against ES Setif in the CAF Champions League after the Algerian club was disqualified for crowd trouble.

Sundowns won 2-0 at the 8 Mai 1945 Stadium last weekend. However, the match had to be abandoned in added time after trouble in the stands.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Thursday night that they have taken the decision to disqualify ESS, which also means that the Brazilians lose the three hard-fought points they gained.

The Premiership champions were only in the Champions League due to the disqualification of AS Vita for fielding an illegible player, having initially been knocked out by the DRC side.

A statement issued by CAF with regards to Setif’s banning read: “Following the regrettable incidents that took place during match no.98 of the 2016 edition of CAF Champions League between ES Setif (Algeria) vs Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), whereby the referee was obliged to abandon the said match before its end.

“Match officials noted especially the pitch invasion as well as numerous throws of missiles, stones, bottles, and firecrackers, provoking a certain number of injured spectators and members of the security forces.

“The CAF Organizing Committee for the Inter-Clubs Competitions decided to apply the provisions of Chapter XII para 3 and considered ES Setif loser and eliminated from the competition without prejudice to any other sanctions that may be imposed by CAF Disciplinary Board.

“Chapter XII para 3 stipulates: ‘If the referee is forced to stop the match before the end of the regular time because of invasion of the field or aggression against the visiting team, the host team shall be considered loser and shall be eliminated from the competition, without prejudice to the sanctions existing in the regulations.’

“Concerning the result of the said match, it is hence cancelled in conformity with the spirit of article XI.13 of the regulations stipulating: ‘If a team withdraws after the start of the group matches without having played half of the group matches, the overall results of the matches in which this team participated is cancelled.'”