CAF has dismissed Orlando Pirates' protest against FC St Eloi Lupopo while imposing fines totaling approximately R430,000 on the South African club for misconduct during their Champions League preliminary round encounter. The continental football body confirmed that disputed Congolese players Molia and Kashala were properly registered and eligible, rejecting claims they should have been barred from competing in the tie that ended 3-1 on aggregate in Lupopo's favor.
The disciplinary committee penalized Pirates around R344,000 for spraying chemicals in the visiting team's locker room and another R86,000 for denying proper accreditation. While CAF maintained coach Guy Bukasa Misakabu's six-month suspension from an unrelated under-20 matter, officials ruled his presence on the bench could not result in sanctions against Lupopo as an organization.
The ruling ends any possibility of the Pirates advancing to the group stage and confirms the Congolese side's progression in the continental competition.
The disciplinary committee penalized Pirates around R344,000 for spraying chemicals in the visiting team's locker room and another R86,000 for denying proper accreditation. While CAF maintained coach Guy Bukasa Misakabu's six-month suspension from an unrelated under-20 matter, officials ruled his presence on the bench could not result in sanctions against Lupopo as an organization.
The ruling ends any possibility of the Pirates advancing to the group stage and confirms the Congolese side's progression in the continental competition.
