Football
KweséESPN Reporter 7y

Al-Hilal, Al-Merreikh disqualified from Champions League

Following up on Thursday's circulated FIFA correspondence which revealed that the Sudan Football Association had been suspended, the Confederation of African Football have confirmed the disqualification of the nation's teams from continental competition.

In a statement released on Friday, CAF have confirmed that all three Sudanese teams competing in CAF's interclub competitions have been disqualified.

"The decision was contained in a letter dated 6 July 2017 and signed by FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura," said the statement, as published on the confederation's official website.

"In accordance with Article 13 of the FIFA Statutes, the SFA loses all its membership rights, and its representative and club teams are no longer entitled to take part in international competitions until the suspension is lifted.

"In line with the decision, the three Sudanese clubs, El Hilal, El Merreikh (Total CAF Champions League) and Al Hilal Obeid (Total CAF Confederation Cup) are disqualified from the two competitions."

The disqualification of Omdurman heavyweights Al-Hilal and Al-Merreikh, both of whom were drawn together in Group A of the Champions League, means that Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel will progress as group winners.

First-time qualifiers Ferroviario Beira head into the final weekend of fixtures in third place on five points -- two behind Al-Merreikh -- but now progress to the quarterfinals as group runners-up.

Assuming results against the Sudanese duo are annulled, Ferrioviario will reach the final eight of the continent's premier club competition with just one point.

In the CAF Confederation Cup, things are more complicated, with Al Hilal Obeid having already secured progression to the quarterfinals from Group C.

Assuming their results are annulled, Zambians ZESCO United have seven points, with Angola's Recreativo do Libolo and Smouha of Egypt on three and four respectively ahead of their showdown in Calulo on Saturday.

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