Simba SC spokesperson Ahmed Ally has confirmed that the club’s upcoming CAF Champions League preliminary round return leg against Gaborone United will be played behind closed doors.
The punishment comes as a result of disciplinary breaches committed by Simba fans during last season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
“I am here to confirm that Sunday’s game will be played without fans as part of a CAF sanction,” Ally told reporters in Dar es Salaam. “The issue stems from the match against Al Masry, when a fan invaded the pitch and others lit fires in the stands.”
The sanction has dealt Simba both sporting and financial setbacks. According to Ally, the club has already been fined heavily for multiple offenses.
“The first loss is missing our fans’ support, the second is losing gate revenue, and the third is paying fines of USD 50,000. We were also fined USD 35,000 after the final against RS Berkane because of fireworks. In total, we have paid USD 85,000 – about TSh 200 million,” he explained.
Despite the setback, Ally revealed that Simba supporters have volunteered to assist their club financially by contributing toward the fines imposed by CAF.
“Some fans have come forward, saying they want to share in the pain that Simba is going through. The pain is this fine of TSh 212.5 million, equal to USD 85,000. Out of love, they have asked to help settle the fines, and we have accepted their contributions, particularly for this purpose,” Ally said.
With fans barred from attending the match, Simba has arranged a public viewing event in Dar es Salaam.
“Since there will be no supporters inside the stadium on Sunday, Simba has organized a big screen at Mwembe Yanga where all our fans in Dar can gather. There will be entertainment before kickoff, and when the time comes, we’ll watch the game together,” Ally announced.
Simba, with millions of fans in Tanzania, carry a 1–0 advantage from their first-leg victory over Gaborone United in Botswana last week.