Raja CA Coach Slams CAF Over Fans Ban Ahead of Young Africans Clash
6 February 2026
Raja CA will play behind closed doors.
Coach blasts CAF over fans ban
Alexandre Santos, Raja CA's Moroccan coach, criticised CAF's decision to bar the team from hosting fans for two home matches ahead of Saturday's group stage clash with Young Africans in the CAF Champions League. He labeled the sanction unfair and excessive. He labeled the sanction unfair and excessive.
Impact of the ban and CAF sanctions
He said the match without supporters amounts to a severe sanction for his side, noting that Raja fans are known for their vocal backing and a lasting impact on the atmosphere and nerves.
I don't like playing a match without a crowd; frankly, for us this is a major punishment because while our team is sanctioned, other teams benefit,
The coach also argued the decision is unfair and suggested there are other measures CAF could apply instead of banning supporters, noting that many situations across the continent are not treated the same way.
CAF had previously sanctioned Raja CA after crowd trouble during the club's match against Al Ahly of Egypt in Champions League, ordering behind-closed-doors games and a fine of $100,000.
Sniper note: If fans are the 12th man, CAF just turned down the volume—guess the players will hear more from the referee than from the stands.
Sniper note 2: If silence were a tactic, tonight's match would win coach of the year by a noise-free distance.
