African football body slaps $250,000 in fines as both clubs prepare for FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup in the U.S.
CAF Issues Heavy Fines After Champions League Chaos
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued steep fines to South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and Tunisia’s Esperance following violent fan clashes during their high-stakes CAF Champions League quarter-final encounter earlier this month. The disciplinary action comes just weeks before both clubs head to the United States for the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup.
In a decision released on Thursday, CAF announced that Mamelodi Sundowns will pay a $100,000 fine for breaching security protocols during the first-leg match on April 1, hosted in Pretoria. Esperance, for their part, received a harsher penalty of $150,000 for “fan misconduct” during the same clash, which escalated into violent confrontations in the stands.
“The club [Sundowns] is required to strictly implement the safety and security measures specified in CAF regulations, guidelines and directives, particularly during its upcoming matches,” CAF said in its official statement.
Spotlight on Motsepe’s Dual Role
The disciplinary action has drawn renewed attention to the position of Mamelodi Sundowns’ owner, Patrice Motsepe, who also serves as President of CAF and Vice-President of FIFA. Motsepe, a South African mining billionaire, was re-elected unopposed to a second term as CAF President just last month.
Though CAF’s statement did not reference Motsepe directly, critics have raised concerns over a potential conflict of interest as the CAF President’s own club faces punitive measures under his administration.
“Transparency is critical for CAF’s credibility. The sanctions send the right message regardless of who owns the club,” said a source close to the CAF executive committee, speaking anonymously.
Clashes Mar Quarter-Final Clash Between Champions
The April 1 match between Sundowns and Esperance was highly anticipated, with both clubs having already qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup due to their consistent performances in the CAF Champions League over the past four years.
Sundowns won the match 1-0 in Pretoria. However, the event was overshadowed by violent clashes among fans inside the stadium, leading to disruptions and heightened security concerns. The second leg in Tunis a week later ended 0-0, allowing Sundowns to progress to the semi-finals on aggregate.
CAF’s disciplinary committee emphasized that clubs hosting international matches must take full responsibility for crowd control and fan safety, especially when incidents risk tarnishing the image of African football globally.
Both Clubs Set for Club World Cup in the U.S.
Despite the off-field issues, both Mamelodi Sundowns and Esperance will represent Africa at the much-anticipated FIFA Club World Cup set to take place across 11 cities in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025.
Mamelodi Sundowns have been drawn into a formidable group alongside Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea), and Fluminense (Brazil). Their matches will take place in Orlando, Cincinnati, and Miami, and are expected to draw thousands of fans and global media attention.
Esperance’s group includes Chelsea (England), Flamengo (Brazil), and a third team which is yet to be finalized due to a FIFA dispute involving Mexican club León. León had initially qualified but was disqualified by FIFA for being under the same ownership as another Club World Cup entrant, Pachuca. Esperance’s matches are scheduled for Philadelphia and Nashville.
Legal Drama Looms Over Mexican Club León
The final team in Esperance’s group remains uncertain as León prepares to challenge FIFA’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Madrid on May 5. FIFA ruled that León’s participation would violate ownership rules, but the Mexican club has vowed to contest the ban.
Should CAS overturn FIFA’s ruling, León may still participate in the tournament. If not, a replacement team will be named by FIFA in the coming weeks, potentially affecting the final group fixtures for Esperance.
High Stakes for African Clubs on Global Stage
For both Sundowns and Esperance, the FIFA Club World Cup presents a historic opportunity to showcase African football on the global stage. The tournament will feature 32 of the world’s best clubs, including Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, River Plate, and Al Ahly, with matches played in iconic American stadiums.
CAF has repeatedly emphasized the importance of African clubs making a strong impression at the tournament, both in performance and professionalism.
“Representing Africa at this level is not just about playing good football,” said a CAF spokesperson. “It’s about demonstrating organizational excellence, discipline, and sportsmanship. Clubs must take these responsibilities seriously.”
Tough Semi-Final Clash Ahead
Mamelodi Sundowns will face a familiar opponent this weekend as they host Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League. The match, set for Saturday, promises to be another high-intensity showdown, with the return leg scheduled for Cairo next week.
Al Ahly, another African representative at the Club World Cup, will also be looking to maintain form ahead of their U.S. campaign. The winner of the semi-final tie will face either TP Mazembe or ES Tunis in the final.
CAF’s Warning: Security Must Be Tightened
As both clubs continue their continental campaigns and prepare for the global spotlight in June, CAF has made it clear that safety will be a top priority moving forward. The organization warned that any repeat incidents could lead to further sanctions or even disqualification from future competitions.
“Fan behavior reflects on the club, the league, and the entire continent,” said a CAF official. “We must set a new standard as we prepare to compete on the biggest stage.”
With pressure mounting on Mamelodi Sundowns and Esperance to clean up their act, the coming weeks will be crucial—not just for winning matches, but for winning back trust and respect in global football.
