CAF approves revised calendar for Interclubs competitions
Confederation of Africa Football Emergency Committee has approved the revised calendar for the Interclubs competitions which was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Total Confederation Cup 2019/20 Semi-finals, will now hold on September 22 between Pyramids of Egypt and Horoya of Guinea at Mohammed V Complex, Casablanca while the second duel has been fixed to come up between
RS Berkane (Morocco) and HUSA (Morocco) at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat.
The final match will hold on September 27 at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat. All matches will be played behind closed doors.
In the Total CAF Champions League, following the withdrawal of Cameroon Football Federation from hosting the final four, and in line with the principle of fairness, it was decided against hosting a final four in either Egypt or Morocco, whose representatives constitute the semi-finalists, thus Al Ahly & Zamalek (Egypt) and Raja Club Athletic & Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco).
The Semi-final matches will be played on a home and away basis.
The first leg matches to be played on 25 & 26 September 2020 in Morocco while the Second leg matches to be played on 2 & 3 October 2020 in Egypt
In the principle of fairness, the final will be played at a neutral venue in the event a team from Egypt and Morocco qualify from the semis.
Consequently, the bidding process has been opened to Member Associations excluding Egypt and Morocco for the hosting of a one-off final. Interested Member Associations are to submit their bidding file including the venue for the match and the mandatory Government guarantee no later than 17 August 2020.
In case the two Egyptian clubs or Moroccan clubs progress to the final, the one-off match will be played in either Egypt or Morocco with a proposed date of 16 or 17 October 2020. In that regard, the concerned Member Associations, Egyptian Football Association, and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation have been issued a deadline of 15 August 2020 to confirm their availability.
CAF will continue discussions with the various stakeholders on the possibilities of organizing the remaining matches of the Total CAF Champions League 2019/20 behind closed doors or otherwise.
The CAF Guidelines for the restart of competitions put together by the CAF Medical Committee in collaboration with the CAF Technical & Development Department will be applied for the staging of the remaining matches of the Interclubs 2019/20 season.
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The guidelines highlight effective and continuous medical assessment (testing) of players and officials, plans for training sessions, disinfection of sporting facilities, as well as strict adherence to the global preventive protocols.
Meanwhile, CAF is monitoring the situation closely and working with the relevant authorities with regards to hosting of the matches and will make pronouncements accordingly in the event of developments that will affect playing a match at the designated venue.