The Confederation of African Football has ordered Esperance to play their next two Champions League matches behind closed doors – and one of those fixtures will be their home game against Orlando Pirates next month.
Tunisian giants Esperance have been punished by the continent's governing body after their fans attacked the Al Ahly team bus ahead of the return leg in last year's Champions League final on November 9.
Esperance were able to overturn a 3-1 deficit in their own backyard when they managed to score three goals without a reply from their Egyptian counterparts, who appeared traumatised by events that took place prior to kick-off.
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In a statement late last night, both CAF and Esperance confirmed the two-match sanction which made it official that their fans would not be allowed to attend their games against FC Platinum this weekend and Pirates on February 12.
"Breaking News…CAF disciplinary committee decision: Esperance de Tunis will play the next two matches in the #TotalCAFCL behind closed doors as per their fans behaviour at the CAFCL 2018 Final," CAF tweeted.
?? Breaking News .. CAF disciplinary committee descision: Esperance de Tunis will play the next two matches in #TotalCAFCL behind closed doors as per their fans behaviour at the CAFCL 2018 Final
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 14, 2019
The reigning champions were drawn in Group B of this year's edition of the tournament alongside Pirates, Horoya from Guinea and FC Platinum from Zimbabwe. Their group stage opener at the weekend was a 1-1 stalemate away to Horoya in Conakry, while Pirates were also held to a goalless draw in Bulawayo by Platinum. The Buccaneers welcome Horoya to Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Friday evening and later that night Esperance will take on Platinum – behind closed doors.
