Days after the second leg of their CAF Champions League Round of 32 tie against Zamalek of Egypt, Rangers International FC Enugu have officially petitioned the Confederation of African Football (CAF), alleging that their Egyptian opponents fielded an ineligible player (Hossam Salama) in the first leg of the tie in Egypt.
In a Press statement, the Director of Public Relations Media and Publicity, Foster Chime said the two page petition by Rangers International was written on Wednesday, 15th March, 2017 and sent immediately to the Secretary General, Confederation of African Football, through the General Secretary, Nigeria Football Federation, Abuja.
Rangers alleged that in Egypt, Zamalek fielded Hossam Salama who was initially registered by another Egyptian club, Smouha FC, a club already playing in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The petition claimed further that Smouha did not remove the said player, Hossam Salama from their list before the deadline dated 15th Jan. 2017 as outlined by CAF but only did so on 30th of January 2017 to be illegally added by Zamalek.
According to Rangers International FC, the implication of this action is that the player is not eligible to play for Zamalek until the start of the Competition’s group stage matches.
The petition pointed out that the action by Zamalek is fraudulent and a clear breach of Article V. Paragraph 3 (a) and 4 of the Confederation of Africa Football Champions League regulations 2017, for all CAF competitions for a period of three years (Paragraph 3).
While disclosing further that the provisions of the CAF Champions League regulations are very clear and concise on the issue, Rangers Management stressed that Zamalek should be sanctioned severely by CAF for registering Hossan Salama illegally.
The petition, which was signed by the Secretary of Rangers International FC, Elder Joseph Onwukwe, clearly spelt the position of the club, that Zamalek should not only be punished for this fraudulent act but justice must also be openly done by CAF according to its relevant statutes and laws.
Rangers International FC Enugu will on Sunday, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu host Zamalek in the second leg of the CAF Champions League round of 32 by 3 p.m.
Packaged by Olanrewaju Agiri