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Rabat – The CAF Champions League final between AS FAR Rabat and Mamelodi Sundowns has become more than a football contest, with scandals on and off the pitch turning the spotlight away from the game itself.
The opening leg, played last Sunday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, was marred by several incidents.
A malfunction in the VAR system delayed the start of the second half, raising questions about the organization. More troubling were violent clashes in the stands. Moroccan fans reported being attacked by South African supporters and even stadium security.
One of the most serious cases involved Amine, a Moroccan supporter of AS FAR. He fell from the upper tier of the stadium during the unrest, suffering multiple fractures in his shoulder, arm, ribs, and hand.
He was rushed to the hospital in Pretoria and remains under close medical care. Doctors say he will need specialized treatment, and Moroccan officials are monitoring his case. A medical aircraft may be required to transfer him to Morocco for further treatment.
Videos from the stadium showed Moroccan fans being assaulted, with several fainting and sustaining injuries. The atmosphere overshadowed Sundowns’ 1‑0 win.
Ultras condemn violence
AS FAR’s ultras group Curva Ch issued a statement strongly condemning the treatment of Moroccan supporters.
“We condemn the attacks on our fans by South African security, which caused injuries and fainting. These scenes have nothing to do with the spirit of sport or continental competition,” the group said.
The ultras also criticized the double standards in how Moroccan fans are treated abroad compared to the hospitality offered to foreign supporters in Morocco.
They demanded accountability and protection for Moroccan fans both inside and outside the country.
Political provocation
The controversy did not end with the first leg. Ahead of the return match, Sundowns published a visual on social media showing a truncated map of Morocco, excluding the southern provinces of the country. The post sparked outrage among Moroccans, who saw it as an attack on national integrity.
The move was particularly sensitive given that Sundowns’ president, Patrice Motsepe, is also the head of CAF.
Motsepe has often commended Morocco’s role in African football and has business ties in the country through Sanlam Maroc, yet his club’s publication added fuel to an already tense final.
The decisive second leg will be played on Sunday, May 24, at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with kickoff at 8 p.m local time (GMT+1). AS FAR must overturn the 1‑0 deficit to claim the title.
