CAF Champions League: 31 Espérance Tunis fans remanded in custody after JS Kabylie incidents
Several Tunisian fans arrested after Espérance Tunis v JS Kabylie. Tunisian courts have decided to crack down after the incidents.
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On Saturday 29 April, scenes worthy of urban guerrilla warfare unfolded on the fringes of the Espérance Tunis-JS Kabylie quarter-final in the CAF Champions League. The incidents started a fire at the Radès Olympic Stadium, causing a stoppage of more than 30 minutes. On Thursday 4 May, the Tunisian judicial authorities decided to take action. They announced that they had opened an investigation into the circumstances to establish who was responsible for the violence. Omar Hnaïen, spokesman for the court of first instance in Ben Arous (near Tunis), gave the information to the local press.
According to Omar Hnaïen, 31 Espérance Tunis supporters have been remanded in custody, while 27 others, released, are also under investigation. The charges are "criminal conspiracy to attack property and people, and assault".
Shocking images of some ES Tunis 🇹🇳 🥶 supporters walking around with a CHAINSAW during the match against JS Kabylie 🇩🇿. Let us remember that the Algerian supporters were attacked inside and outside the stadium. We hope that @CAFCLCC_fr @CAF_Media… pic.twitter.com/M3QkFjuo1M
— La Gazette du Fennec (@LGDFennec) May 2, 2023
Incidents that drew more attention than the result
The sanctions stem from clashes during the first half of the match. Espérance supporters trying to get onto the pitch were met by security forces. Then, according to the Tunisian radio station Mosaïque FM, they overturned bins before setting fire to an access tunnel. Tear gas grenades and other projectiles then plunged the stadium into thick smoke. Even more alarming, videos showed a supporter with a chainsaw. The incidents almost overshadowed the result on the pitch, as Espérance Tunis booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals with a 1-1 draw. The Tunisians had won the first leg 1-0 in Algeria. After the match, the CAF demanded that those responsible be identified and sanctions imposed.