A number of Esperance de Tunis fans on Monday invaded the club’s training ground, shouting abuse and threatening players forcing them to take cover.
According to Tunisian newspaper Al-Sabah, things could have been worse for Esperance after their fans turned against them during Monday’s training session, following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Al Ahly.
The Blood and Gold fans were in no mood to keep the peace as they shouted abuse at the players. A couple of fans scaled the security fence to confront players, causing officials to abandon the session as a number of stars ran for cover.
One of supporter even asked Hamdo Al-Houni for a fight and he warned the Libyan winger that he would be waiting for him outside the ground after training.
As tempers flared, the situation always risked getting out of hand but the club’s security officials were quick to intervene and tried to players from what could have turned out to be a nasty scuffle.
Similar actions were witnesssed on Saturday before the CAF Champions League game against Al Ahly but police responded to taunts from an unruly crowd by firing tear gas and stun grenades.
Both squads abandoned warming-up on the pitch and fled to the change rooms with some coughing and others gasping for breath.
Order was restored after Ahly agreed to play after a one-hour delay having received a written pledge guaranteeing their safety.
It was the seventh time the Egyptian Red Devils beat the Tunisian Blood and Gold in 19 meetings in the marquee African club competition with eight drawn.
Al Ahly have scored 23 goals against Esperance with veteran attacker Walid Soliman being the top scorer of the contest with three goals.
The Red Eagles have conceded 15 goals and managed to keep 8 clean sheets against Esperance, who also have the same number of clean sheets.
The second leg is set to take place at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo on Saturday, 26 June.
The aggregate winner will face either Wydad Casablanca or Kaizer Chiefs in this year’s final.
Photo: File/Al Ahly
