Enugu Rangers have called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to order their Champions League second-leg encounter against MC Alger to be played behind closed doors following allegations of vandalism and crowd disorder involving supporters of the Algerian club during the first leg in Abeokuta.
Sports247 reports that the CAF Disciplinary Committee is expected to review Rangers’ petition on Thursday, October 22, just 24 hours before the decisive return fixture scheduled for Friday, October 23, in Algiers.
The Nigerian representatives, who secured a 2-0 first-leg victory, are seeking disciplinary action over incidents allegedly involving visiting supporters during and after the encounter.
According to Rangers’ complaint, MC Alger supporters were involved in the destruction of a stadium entrance gate, damage to seats and unauthorised entry into the venue without payment of gate fees.
The Flying Antelopes have consequently requested that CAF impose a spectator ban on the return fixture, although no decision has been announced. The latest petition comes against the background of previous disciplinary action taken against MC Alger by African football’s governing body.
In April 2025, CAF ordered the Algerian club to serve a previously suspended punishment of two home matches behind closed doors following disciplinary violations during their Champions League quarter-final against South Africa’s Orlando Pirates.
The club was also fined $40,000 over incidents involving smoke bombs, laser pointers and objects thrown during the encounter. However, any fresh punishment would depend on CAF’s assessment of the allegations arising from the first-leg match against Rangers.
With the return fixture approaching, the disciplinary committee’s expected review has become a major talking point ahead of the continental encounter. Rangers travel to Algeria carrying a two-goal advantage as they seek to complete the job and progress to the next stage of the competition.
MC Alger, meanwhile, face the challenge of overturning the deficit, with uncertainty surrounding whether their supporters will be permitted to attend. A closed-door ruling would significantly alter the atmosphere surrounding the encounter, although the sporting outcome remains to be decided on the pitch.
Attention now turns to CAF’s disciplinary proceedings, with Rangers awaiting a decision that could determine the conditions under which Friday’s crucial Champions League return leg will be played.
 to order their Champions League second-leg encounter){kind=link}