The Ahli players who protested against the referee's decisions in the 1-0 Champions League defeat at Tunisian side Esperance will be fined, the club said on Thursday. Ghanaian official Joseph Lamptey enraged the visitors when he allowed a controversial Michael Eneramo goal to stand few seconds after the kick off. The Nigerian striker used his forearm to steer a corner kick home at the far post as Esperance reached the Champions League final on the away-goal rule following a 2-2 aggregate draw. Several Ahli players repeatedly surrounded Lamptey to protest against his decisions. He further infuriated them after sending off Mohamed Barakat in the second half for shoving Esperance midfielder Khaled Korbi. "Football director Hadi Khashaba has decided to fine the first-team players who protested against the referee in an exaggerated way," Ahli said in a statement on their official website. "The decision comes as part of the policy which the club has adopted throughout its history." Confrontations Many pundits criticized Ahli's experienced players for failing to stand the heat during the game, which took place at the boisterous 7 November Stadium in Rades last Sunday.
Eneramo's blatant handball The likes of Barakat, Hossam Ashour and Wael Gomaa were part of Ahli's Champions League winning squads in 2005, 2006 and 2009 but they hardly controlled their temper against Esperance. They were repeatedly involved in confrontations with Esperance players, who were also criticized by Egyptian media for their 'theatrical dives and time wasting'. "Protesting against the referees is totally unacceptable," former Ahli sweeper Khashaba added. "Any player repeats that sort of behavior will have his fine doubled. "The club will never permit any action which contradicts the values, traditions and principles of Ahli." Ahli neither disclosed the names of the punished players nor revealed the amount of fine imposed on them. The Red Devils have already filed a complaint against Lamptey, whose name has been hitting headlines during the past few days.
