CAF says it did not enforce crowd ban in Zamalek vs Kabuscorp game

The African governing body confirms it didn't order that Zamalek vs Kabuscorp clash be played behind closed doors

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) refuted Zamalek's claims that it had enforced a crowd ban during last week's Champions League clash against Angola's Kabuscorp.
Few hours before Saturday's match, Zamalek published on their website an email purportedly sent by CAF which ordered the first leg of the competition's round of 32 be played behind closed doors.
"The Confederation of African Football would like to state that it did not order for match 81 between Zamalek SC and Kabuscorp to be played behind closed doors," read a statement on the CAF official website on Tuesday.
Egypt's interior ministry informed Zamalek before the game that their fans will not be allowed to attend. The decision came in the wake of crowd trouble that followed Ahly's 3-2 win over Sfaxien in the African Super Cup, which was marred by clashes between the home fans and security forces.
Hundreds of Zamalek's die-hard fans tried to attend the game against Kabuscorp but they were confronted by police forces, who used tear gas to disperse them.
"There was no sanction from CAF imposed on Zamalek SC to play the match behind closed doors," CAF added.
"The decision to play the match behind closed doors or allow fans lay with the Egyptian Football Association, who depending on their assessment of the security situation with other stakeholders were at liberty to allow fans into the stadium.
"Following various exchanges between the Zamalek SC club, the Egypt Football Association and the Egyptian Security authorities, the Egypt Football Association confirmed to CAF in letters (dated February 25th, 28th and March 1st) that they had agreed to play the match under review behind closed doors.
"Hence, CAF took note of such a decision made by our member association and immediately communicated the same to all the parties concerned with the match. CAF does not decide on matters of internal and national security."
The Egyptian football Association (EFA) revealed on Monday that they had received an official letter from the interior ministry saying that all matches in the country would take place behind closed doors until the end of the season.
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