Africa's football confederation said on Wednesday Tunisian club Esperance will be fined after its fans attacked policemen, ripped out stadium seats and lit fireworks during the first leg of its African Champions League semifinal against Egypt's Al Ahly on Oct. 3.
Speaking on the sidelines of the FIFA-CAF World Cup Conference, CAF football development director Abdel-Moneim Hussein said the body will impose financial penalties on Esperance for the behavior of its fans, although he did not say what the fine would be and when it would be enforced.
Eleven policemen were injured and at least 14 Tunisians arrested during the game at the Cairo International Stadium, which Al Ahly won 2-1.
The second leg match between the two former African champions will be played in Tunis on Sunday.
Libyan referee Adel El-Raay said in his match report Esperance fans attacked police officers who were trying to stop them lighting fireworks. Stadium authorities claim the fans caused $52,000 worth of damage after they ripped out seats and hurled them at police officers and opposing fans.
In a report the day after the match, Egyptian police said the Tunisians were arrested after policemen rushed into the stands to stop the fans from rioting. Egyptian TV carried live footage of Tunisian fans beating up and kicking policemen.
Both the Tunisian football federation and Esperance have denounced the actions of the fans, who apparently became violent after Esperance captain Oussama Darragi scored a 73rd-minute goal for the visitors.
Egypt deported 14 fans to Tunisia to face charges relating to rioting and the destruction of property.
World and African football officials will meet at the three-day World Cup Conference in the Egyptian capital, which began Wednesday, to analyze the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter is expected to appear at the conference.
