African Champions Esperance Punished for Smoke at Stadium

African Cup champions Esperance de Tunis will have to play Champions League opponents FC Platinum and Orlando Pirates indoors as a punishment.

Esperance are being punished for smoke flares lit up at their El Menzah stadium last year.

The incident occurred during the dramatic return-leg CAF Champions League final against Egypt’s Al Ahly whom they eventually beat 3-0 following a 3-1 initial score in the first meeting in Cairo.

The sanction, according to continental football governing body CAF, is also linked to the reported attacks on Al Ahly’s team bus in Tunis.

The Tunisian giants are yet to issue a statement confirming whether or not they would appeal the verdict of CAF’s disciplinary committee.

ES face Platinum FC of Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League champions 18^th January before taking on South Africa’s Orlando Pirates.