MC Alger lost 2-0 to Enugu Rangers in the second-round, first-leg encounter at the MKO Abiola Stadium. Flashscore reported that MC Alger expressed outrage over controversial refereeing decisions and alleged harassment of their officials and supporters during the match against Enugu Rangers. The return leg is billed for the Ali La Pointe Stadium on October 23.
Club statement after the match
In an official statement shared on social media, MC Alger said: "Mouloudia Club of Algiers expresses its dissatisfaction with the events that took place during (Sunday’s) match against Nigerian club Enugu Rangers , contested in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League, and the refereeing decisions that accompanied it."
Complaints over key decisions
The club expressed particular concern over "the penalty awarded to the opponent despite no foul having been committed to warrant it."
It also criticised "the referee issuing a controversial second yellow card to Oussama Benhaoua, in an incident where the foul had actually been committed by Ayoub Ghezala."
MC Alger added: "This decision appeared deliberate, as Benhaoua had already been cautioned with a yellow card."
Allegations of harassment and interference
The statement continued: "The Mouloudia delegation was also subjected to repeated acts of harassment in the VIP stand at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta."
It also said: "Similar incidents were reported involving the club's cameraman during the live broadcast on Mouloudia's official YouTube channel, where he was forced to change the camera angle on several occasions."
Ticket and seat claims
It continued: "The club also firmly reiterates its unequivocal rejection of any attempt to tarnish the club's image and its supporters, particularly as it possesses all the evidence confirming that the seats in question had already been damaged prior to kick-off."
The North Africans lamented: "The club further wishes to highlight the difficulties faced by Mouloudia supporters who travelled to Nigeria in obtaining match tickets, which were priced excessively at $20 each."
They added: "Such ticket prices are unprecedented in the African stadiums where the club has previously competed in the CAF Champions League."