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Preview: Holders Ahly facing tense Champions League tie in Tunisia The build-up to Ahly's clash against Bizertin on Sunday was preceded by riots in Tunisia
Title holders Ahly are expected to face a tense African Champions League tie in Tunisia on Sunday, with Bizertin fans venting their anger after their team was disqualified from the domestic league. There were doubts over whether the Champions League last 16 first-leg tie would go ahead in Bizerte as scheduled after Bizertin's angry supporters clashed with police in the city. They were infuriated after Bizertin were denied a place in the final phase of the Tunisian league. The team finished level on points with Club Africain but the latter joined Esperance in the decisive round after Bizertin allegedly fixed a game. The club initially threatened to withdraw from all competitions but backtracked few days later, avoiding possible sanctions from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Only 1,500 fans will be allowed to attend Sunday's game at Stade 15 Octobre, Tunisian authorities said. "Our delegation was given assurances from Bizertin that the team will be secured during its stay in the city," Ahly said in a statement on their official website. Ahly, on the other hand, are facing a problem with their own supporters. The die-hard Ahly fans stirred controversy during the Champions League round of 32 game at home to Kenya's Tusker after displaying a tifo, a term used to describe fan spectacle, which accused Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, who was Egypt's de facto ruler during the country's tumultuous transitional period, of orchestrating the infamous Port Said tragedy. It also accused the interior ministry of complicity in Egypt's worst-ever football disaster which left more than 70 fans dead in February 2012, prompting Ahly's board of directors to issue a statement to commend the role of the army and police during Egypt's "troubled period" as well as condemning any insults against them. Ahly will have to do without their fans in the second leg in a fortnight after Egyptian authorities imposed an indefinite crowd ban, citing troubles in continental and regional games for Ahly, Zamalek and Ismaily. The Red Devils, who are eyeing a second consecutive title and a record-extending eighth Champions League triumph, have no injury worries ahead of the Bizertin match. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)
