Former Al Ahly player and Egyptian legend Mohamed Aboutrika has urged his former club to withdraw from this year’s CAF Champions League which will come on in Morocco.
After Egypt Al Ahly qualified for the CAF Champions League final, Aboutrika turned to Twitter to celebrate the Egyptian team while pushing the Cairo-based club’s leadership to withdraw from the highly-anticipated final due to “injustice” from CAF.
The Champions League final is scheduled to take place on May 30 at Mohammed VI Stadium in Casablanca.
“Congratulations to Al Ahly for reaching the final and hard luck ES Setif. Sometimes, withdrawing from an event can be an achievement in itself. I’d wish Al Ahly’s managing board to withdraw from this competition and keep its reputation intact against CAF injustice. I’m sorry to speak publicly but I had no other choice. Good luck to our beloved club,” Aboutrika tweeted.
Some pundits were not happy with his statement and called it a radical stance. Others also agreed with his statement and called on CAF to find a neutral venue for the final.
As Wydad AC of Casablanca and Egypt’s Al Ahly appeared as the two contenders for the prized championship, the Cairo-based club and many of its loyal fans looked to be fearful of a heated final against a Moroccan team at a Moroccan stadium.
Egypt’s Football Association (EFA) formally objected to the CAF’s decision to stage the Champions League final in Morocco earlier this week.
Al Ahly also wrote to CAF President Patrice Motsepe, requesting a “neutral” location for the sports event.
