CAFCL: Sundowns apologise to Esperance over unruly fans behavior

Photo Credit - Espérance Sportive de Tunis

Mamelodi Sundowns have issued a statement to condemn the unruly behaviour from fans during their first leg quarter-final clash of the Caf Champions League at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

In the fixture that the Brazilian won 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Peter Shalulile. As seen in circulating videos, trouble ensued from the crowd with Sundowns supporters retreating from violent conduct that had been initiated against them, including flares and pepper spray.

Below is the full statement issued by Sundowns:

Mamelodi Sundowns is deeply saddened by the unruly behaviour that was displayed yesterday (01 April) at its CAF Champions League quarterfinal match against Espérance de Tunis at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Videos circulating on social media depict malicious damage to the stadium and the Mamelodi Sundowns supporters retreating from violent conduct that was initiated against them, including flares and pepper spray when the incident started.

Sundowns awaits a full report from the Match Commissioner and is committed to cooperating with CAF to finalize its investigation ahead of the return leg.

Espérance de Tunis is a respected sports institution in Africa and we trust that once all the evidence is reviewed, our brothers and sisters at Espérance will also denounce this behaviour and take the necessary steps to ensure that the next encounter is one where all supporters feel safe and welcome.

We are confident that the investigation will identify the circumstances that gave rise to the unruly behaviour.

However, in accordance with our African culture of compassion and empathy (our African culture of Ubuntu) we are required to apologize to Espérance de Tunis and its supporters as the unruly behaviour took place at our home stadium, despite the videos and facts indicating that the Sundowns supporters did not initiate the unruly behaviour.

The two sides will face off in the return leg at Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi on Tuesday, 8 April.