Zamalek must play behind closed doors after crowd trouble

Zamalek have been ordered to play their next two home African continental club matches behind closed doors after a pitch invasion earlier this month, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on Wednesday.

The Egyptian club, who also got an $80,000 fine, were punished after fans ran onto the field in the final minutes of the African Champions League tie against Club Africain, causing the game to be abandoned and injuring at least nine people.
Zamalek, who had lost the first leg of the round of 32 tie 4-2, were winning 2-1 in the return when they thought they had scored a third goal but it was ruled out, angering the fans who raced onto the pitch and forced the Algerian referee to flee.
CAF's disciplinary committee said on its official website (www.cafonline.com) that the supporters also used flares and were aggressive towards the referee and the Tunisian team.
Zamalek's punishment includes a suspended two-game ban and they would have to play a total of four home games behind closed doors if the club commit a similar offence within two years.
They may also be suspended from CAF competitions for a year if similar violations occur again.
Egypt's Supreme Council of Armed Forces, handed power after mass demonstrations ousted President Hosni Mubarak, condemned the fans for "acts of thuggery" and ordered an investigation.
Club Africain were fined $10,000 because some of their supporters took part in the pitch invasion, CAF said.