CAF disqualifies DRC's AS Vita Club for fielding unqualified player

Democratic Republic of Congo’s AS Vita club have been disqualified from the African Champions League and replaced by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Confederation of African Football confirmed AS Vita’s disqualification and replacement by Sundowns during the draw for the group stage of the competition. CAF explained that AS Vita fielded an inelligible player, Idrissa Traore, who had not finished serving a four match ban whiles playing for Stade Malien.

‘‘Traore played with the Malian club during the 2015 season. Whilst featuring for Stade Malien, the CAF Disciplinary Board handed him a four (4) match suspension. He served only one match and the remaining with three (3) matches suspension was carried over to the next competition in line with Articles 114.1 & 114.2 of the CAF Disciplinary Code,’‘ a CAF statement said.

Disqualification of AS Vita Club https://t.co/LTzwS3kSsV

— CAF (@CAF_Online) May 24, 2016

It further explained that, ‘‘In pursuance of Article VII Clause 9 & 10 of the regulations of the CAF Champions League which borders on Disciplinary Measures, the Organising Committee for Interclubs Competitions decided to disqualify AS Vita from the Orange CAF Champions League, replaced by Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) the last opponent of AS Vita before qualifying for the group phase.’‘

After elimination from the Champions League, Sundowns automatically dropped into the second tier African Confederation Cup competition but were dumped out of that tournament by Ghanaian side Medeama SC last week.

Vita Club were Champions League runners-up in 2014 and lifted the trophy in 1973.

CAF Online