Ahead of their crunch CAF Champions League semi-final second leg against Mamelodi Sundowns, Esperance de Tunis have warned their fans to be on their best behavior when they head to Loftus Versfeld.
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The travelling contingent of the Blood and Gold will be looking to witness history in Tshwane as their side hope to progress to the final of Africa’s premier club competition for the first time since 2019.
Aware of the high stakes involved for the match, the Tunisian club has pleaded with supporters to avoid any violations during the clash which could trigger their suspended ban from CAF competition.
In last season’s edition of the competition, Esperance fans clashed with police during the home leg of their quarter-final match against JS Kabyile, delaying the second half of the game by 40 minutes.
The north Africans were given a $300 000 (R5.7 million) fine and their supporters were given a four-match ban. However, the ban turned into two games if no further instances of violence occurred for 12 months. If violated, they will be exiled from the Champions League next season.
The club released a statement, as per Tunisie Numerique, said: "The managing body of Esperance de Tunis notes that, based on the date of issuance of the final decision last year, and contrary to what is being circulated among loved ones, the period of deferred implementation of the penalty (12 months) that threatens our club has not ended and continues until the end of this edition of the Champions League, and that the laws of the African Union It applies to the away fans and the home fans to the same extent.
"Therefore, we must continue with the same discipline and caution and avoid all violations, such as using sparklers, throwing projectiles, and igniting lasers, starting from our next match against Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria next Friday, before the start of the match until then.
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"Leaving the field is to protect our club from the harsh penalties that threaten us and to ensure the continuation of our successful journey."
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