The awaited match will take place on Tuesday evening at the “Al-Inma” Stadium in Jeddah, reigniting the competitive fire between two of the most prestigious Saudi clubs in the continental tournament.
Al-Hilal qualified for the semifinals after a crushing victory over South Korea’s Guangzhou with a score of 7-0, while Al-Ahli advanced by defeating Thailand’s Buriram with a clean three-goal win.
The shock came in the form of the AFC’s refusal to allow Al-Hilal fans to bring a “tifo” into the stands of the match stadium, for reasons related to safety and organization.
The decision was a direct response to the incident where some Al-Hilal fans threw tifo bags onto the field during the Guangzhou match, which was considered a violation of organizational regulations.
Sources revealed that the AFC strictly enforced the regulations to ensure player safety and to prevent a recurrence of such actions that occurred in the previous match.
Additionally, the relevant authorities issued strict instructions prohibiting the entry of plastic bottles, portable chargers, and large flags into the stadium.
The security restrictions also include a ban on the use of laser pens and smoke flares, known as “shamareekh”, to ensure a safe atmosphere in the stands.
