Court of Arbitration for Sport clears way for Al Ahli to play ACL final

The Court announced on Wednesday the dismissal of Al Hilal's appeal regarding Oussama Assaidi's eligibility in the Asian Champions League semi-final.

Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu celebrates with Oussama Assaidi after the team's advancement to the Asian Champions League final. Marwan Naamani / AFP / October 20, 2015
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The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced its dismissal on Wednesday of Al Hilal's appeal regarding the Asian Champions League final, and Al Ahli "remains qualified" for the contest.

The court rejected the Saudi club’s claim that Oussama Assaidi of Ahli was ineligible to play in the semi-final of the Champions League, which Ahli won 4-3 on aggregate, thanks to a 3-2 second leg win in Dubai on October 20.

Hilal had filed their appeal against the Asian Football Confederation over the weekend, after the body ruled in favour of Ahli. The Riyadh club had sought a decision “in order to have its protest against Al Ahli Club upheld and a sanction of a 3-0 loss to Al Ahli applied to the match” read the CAS statement. However, “the decision of the AFC Appeal Committee is confirmed,” CAS said.

Hilal were contesting Assaidi’s participation in last month’s return fixture in Dubai, claiming the winger should not have been allowed to play as he had not been included in Ahli’s 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League squad. Last week, the Asian Football Confederation rejected Hilal’s case and subsequent appeal.

The announcement clears the way for Al Ahli to host the first leg of the final on Saturday night at the Rashid Stadium against Guangzhou Evergrande. The return leg is scheduled for November 21 in China.

Ahli are the first UAE team in the Asian continental club championship since Al Ain lost to another Saudi club, Al Ittihad, in 2005. Hilal contested the final last year, losing to Western Sydney Wanderers of Australia.

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