Chadian Champions Gazelle FC Face Ban For CAF Withdrawal

Chadian top-flight league champions Gazelle FC face a possible fine and a two-year ban for withdrawing from the African Champions League.

Gazelle were set to face Egyptian giants Zamalek but pulled out after they were blocked from travelling to Cairo after a decision from the Chadian Minister of Sports.

According to CAF regulations, apart from financial penalties, any club that withdraws from competitions after the announcement of the fixtures gets banned from CAF inter club competitions for two editions.

Gazelle booked a date to meet Zamalek after their opponents GR/SIAF of Djibouti failed to show up for the game which meant that the Chadian side have qualified for the first round.

The first-leg was supposed to take place in N’Djamena, Chad. However, ahead of the game, the Djiboutian outfit sent a letter to CAF stating they will not travel without revealing the reasons behind it.

Zamalek now await a free pass to the African Champions League group stage as CAF are scheduled to make official the Whites have secured a place in the continental tournament’s group stage.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s other representative and title holders Al Ahly will face Niger’s AS SONIDEP away on Wednesday at Général Seyni Kountché Stadium.

Al Ahly’s first-team delegation arrived in Niger on Sunday on a private plane that landed in the country’s capital, Niamey, after a six-hour trip.