CAF Under Pressure: Al Hilal file official complaint over Berkane captain doping case

Al Hilal challenge RS Berkane’s progression over doping allegations

Africa 30 March 2026 at 08:26

Sudanese giants Al Hilal have officially lodged complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) against RS Berkane captain Hamza El Moussaoui accusing him of participating in their CAF Champions League quarter-final clashes despite testing positive for banned substance.

The controversy stems from matches played on 14 March and 22 March 2026which saw the Moroccan side progress.

In official statement published on Facebook, Al Hilal confirmed that El Moussaoui had previously returned positive doping test for substance prohibited by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA).

According to the Sudanese club, the player was formally notified of the result and chose not to request analysis of the “B” sample effectively accepting the findings under FIFA’s anti doping regulations.

The club further claimed that no therapeutic use exemption or legal justification provided to explain the presence of the banned substance.

As a result El Moussaoui was initially suspended but the suspension was later lifted before the matches against Al Hilal.

Match impact under scrutiny

Al Hilal expressed strong concern over what they described as “serious breach of sporting integrity”.

The club highlighted El Moussaoui’s direct influence in first leg on 14 March 2026 where he won a decisive penalty during extra time.

RS Berkane converted the spot kick securing 1-1 draw that proved crucial in the tie.

The Moroccan captain also featured in second leg on 22 March 2026 with RS Berkane ultimately advancing 2-1 on aggregate. Al Hilal argue that allowing the player to participate during active suspension period distorted the competitive balance of the fixtures.

Formal protests and demand for justice

The Sudanese side confirmed that they submitted two official protests prior to both matches handing them to match commissioners in accordance with CAF regulations.

Despite these objections, El Moussaoui was cleared to play.

Al Hilal concluded their statement by calling on CAF to take decisive action to “ensure justice and protect the integrity of the competition”.