No CAF Champions League final 2022 in Doha: Qatar FA
THE Qatar Football Association has denied rumours that the World Cup 2022 host nation intends to host the CAF Champions League finals in the country.
“The Qatar Football Association (QFA) denied what is being circulated in various media about hosting the final of the 2022 CAF Champions League,” the QFA said in a statement on Monday.
The QFA statement added that no official channels or correspondence were used to communicate with the Confederation African Football about this matter.
The Qatari soccer governing body also expressed pride in its deep and distinguished bilateral relations with the Confederation African Football, which have been in place for years under the umbrella of cooperation agreements concluded between the two parties.
The rumour arose as a result of Al Ahly’s official request to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a neutral venue to be used for the CAF
Champions League final in order to ensure a fair competition.
The Egyptian giants is almost but certain to advance to
the CAF Champions League final after a 4-0 win over Algeria’s ES Setif in the first leg of the semi-finals.
Following their massive victory, the Reds are now focused on the tournament’s finale, which will almost certainly be a rematch of their 201 final against Wydad Casablanca.
With reports indicating that the final could be held in Morocco, Al Ahly officially addressed the situation, stating that a neutral stadium must be chosen in order for the game to be fair.
“Al Ahly SC sent an official letter on Sunday to Mr. Patrice Motsepe, the president of CAF, demanding a neutral venue for the 2022 CAF Champions League final.
’Al Ahly highlighted in the letter that the final should not be hosted by one of the countries of the four teams competing in the CAF Champions League semifinals and a neutral venue will provide equal chances for the four teams.
’Al Ahly stressed that the game should be held in a neutral venue, since CAF did not choose the hosting country in an earlier stage, noting that giving one of the four teams the home advantage in the final contradicts the fair play standards.
“Al Ahly expressed their full trust in CAF’s professionalism and fairness and their commitment to preserving equal rights for the four competing teams.’’
Since 2019, the World Cup 2022 host country has successfully hosted the CAF Super Cup four times as part of its bilateral relations with the African Football Confederation
Al Ahly SC sent an official letter on Sunday to Patrice Motsepe, the president of CAF, demanding a neutral venue for the 2022 CAF Champions League final.