The controversy and outcry over CAF’s choice of venue for the 2021-22 CAF Champions League final continues to build after the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca was announced as the choice. With the teams for the final all but set following convincing first leg victories for semifinalists Al Ahly of Egypt and Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca, Ahly declared that the rules of Fair Play are being violated due to the home advantage a final in Casablanca would give Wydad and their passionate support.
BBC Sport Africa spoke to a source from CAF who provided more explanation behind the decision to have Casablanca host the CAFCL final for the second straight season. The source indicated that Morocco was the only country to apply by the deadline and that bids arrived from four or five countries with all but Morocco withdrawing in the end. In response to the controversy, it appears the option of having the old format of a two-match home and away final is gaining steam within CAF to avoid more negative press regarding their decision.
To increase the pressure on CAF, Al Ahly put out an official statement condemning the decision and announced that they will appeal to the Court for Arbitration of Sport in Switzerland to overturn the decision. Ahly earlier requested that none of the home venues of the four semifinalists should be considered to host the final and are claiming that the choice of venue violates the regulations of not only CAF but FIFA and Olympic statutes. In addition, Ahly demanded further explanation from CAF over why the other bids were withdrawn and why they were not considered.
