Ismaili apologise to Caf

Egyptian police arrested 50 people

Egyptian club Ismaili have officially apologised to African football's governing body Caf following riots that occurred during the African Champions League final.

The apology, faxed to Caf on Thursday, expressed regret for both the violence and the poor organisation of the final in Ismailia.

Egyptian fans rioted after their team lost the title to the Nigerian club Enyimba 2-1 on aggregate.

Several people were injured, including a BBC reporter. The official vehicles of the Caf delegation were destroyed by the angry fans.

Local police arrested more than 50 people for initiating the acts of violence, while the presentation of the Nigerian club as the new African champions was delayed for more than half an hour after the security authorities insisted on emptying the 25,000 seater-stadium of all fans.

However, the Egyptian FA have insisted on protesting to Caf that the referee, Eddy Maillet from Seychelles, was to blame, arguing that he gave the Nigerian players the chance to fake injures and waste time.

The EFA argued further that the ball was only in play for 13 minutes of the second half.

The Caf executive committee is expected to study the case at their next meeting in Tunisia, during the Nations Cup finals.

Any punishment they may decide to impose will be decided on there.