Authorities investigate after fan dies in CAF Champions League quarter-final crush
Casablanca authorities have launched an investigation after a fan died outside the gates of Stade Mohammed V ahead of Raja’s match against Al-Ahly in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals on Saturday.
Moroccan media reported that the fan, a 29-year-old woman, died in the scrum as thousands of fans tried to get into the ground to watch Raja attempt to reverse a 2-0 deficit from the first leg in Egypt .
“Aziz El Baddrawy, President of Al-Raja Club Athletic, expresses his deepest condolences on his behalf and on behalf of all members of the club to the family of fan Noura who passed away before our team’s game against Al-Ahly,” he said the Moroccan club in a statement.
Another CAF Champions League quarter-final between Esperance and Algeria’s JS Kabylie on Saturday in Tunis was marred by crowd problems that led to a 40-minute delay in the second half.
Esperance fans clashed with Tunisian security forces and set off fireworks in the stands at halftime in the Rades Stadium. The fire brigade had to be called to put out several small fires in front of the stands.
Algerian fans also complained that they faced unwarranted attacks from security forces.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw, but Esperance advanced to the semi-finals with a 2-1 aggregate score after a 1-0 win in the first leg.
They will play Al-Ahly over two legs for a place in the final after the Cairo club beat Raja 0-0 in Casablanca.
Raja’s city rivals Wydad, the reigning champions, meet South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in the other semi-final next month.
Reuters
