‘The Complaint is Baseless’ - Al Hilal Fire Back at Kenya Police Over Player Eligibility Appeal

Sudan giants Al Hilal have dismissed claims from Kenya Police that they fielded ineligible players during their CAF Champions League match.

Al Hilal beat Police 4-1 on aggregate, after winning 1-0 in Nairobi before a 3-1 victory in the return leg, but even before the second match, the Kenyan champions had filed an appeal, claiming the Sudanese club had played three players who were not eligible.

Police contested the fielding of goalkeeper Soufian Farid Ouedraogo from Burkina Faso, Nigerian striker Sunday Damilare Adetunji as well as Congolese defender Ernest Luzolo, claiming the three players had not been registered with the Sudan FA and therefore should not have played.

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As per Sudan Football Association rules, clubs are allowed to register up to 10 foreign players but Al Hilal had 13 and Police therefore filed an appeal at CAF.

“I congratulate Al Hilal fans on qualifying for the group stage. This is our natural position. We want to reassure our fans that our stance regarding the complaint from Police FC is completely sound,” Al Hilal secretary general Hassan Ali Issa said in a statement.

“The complaint is baseless. We reviewed all its details, and our legal position is completely correct. The registration of our players was done legally under the supervision of both the Sudanese and African football federations, so there is no reason for concern.”

Issa further went on to claim that CAF has already cleared them of any wrongdoing, saying the continental football governing body has given them their blessings to participate in the group stages of the Champions League.

“The way CAF handled Al Hilal after the match further proves that the complaint has no real value. Once again, congratulations to Al Hilal for qualifying for the group stage,” the statement further read.

“The club’s board has been invited to the draw ceremony in Johannesburg. CAF has also sent a list of approved stadiums for us to choose from to host our home matches in the group stage.”

It remains to be seen how the matter will be handled going forward as both sides have maintained their positions.