Mamelodi Sundowns have issued a statement about the violent clash between their supporters and fans of Tunisian club Esperance at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday, 1 April.
The clash occurred after the final whistle blew after the CAF Champions League quarter-final, which the home team won 1-0.
The incident occurred a day before another bloody brawl at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday when Stellenbosch FC faced off against Egypt’s Zamalek.
MAMELDOI SUNDOWNS CONDEMNS ‘UNRULY’ SUPPORTER BRAWL
In a statement on their X account, Mamelodi Sundowns management stated that they were “deeply saddened by the unruly behaviour” of soccer supporters of their own club and their Esperance rivals.
It read: “Videos circulating on social media depict malicious damage to the stadium and the Mamelodi Sundowns supporters retreating from violent conduct that was initiated against them, including flares and pepper spray when the incident started.”
Sundowns added that it was awaiting a report from the match commissioner. It said that it was “committed to cooperating with CAF to finalize its investigation ahead of the return leg”.”
It continued: “Espérance de Tunis is a respected sports institution in Africa, and we trust that once all the evidence is reviewed, our brothers and sisters at Espérance will also denounce this behaviour and take the necessary steps to ensure that the next encounter is one where all supporters feel safe and welcome.”
The club also issued a formal apology to the Northern African club “in accordance with our African culture of compassion and empathy (our African culture of Ubuntu).”
WILL ESPERANCE APOLOGISE?
While Mamelodi Sundowns has issued a formal apology, Esperance has remained notably silent.
That hasn’t stopped South Africans from admonishing them on their X account.
@Muhali_Rrr: “Learn to put your fans in order or don’t bring them over again…they terrorised our infrastructures.”
@za_lady1: “We welcomed you to our country with warm hands. There has never been a time when our South African teams mistreated you. But because of your loss, you exposed your hooliganism. You cannot rip off our club’s banners like that. That was utter disrespect.”
@sgubhu_mgodi: “Your players, along with your fans, are a disgrace in our African football. Very disgusting“.
Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns and Esperance will face each other again on Tuesday, 8 April, at Tunisia’s Hammadi Agrebi Stadium.
DO YOU THINK THAT ESPERANCE SHOULD APOLOGISE TO SUNDOWNS?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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