Mohammed VI Champions Cup to resume Dec. 30

The Mohammed VI Champions Cup, suspended owing to the covid-19 pandemic, will return to action on Dec. 30 with the second leg of the first semi-final opposing Morocco’s Raja Casablanca and Egypt’s Ismaily.

Ismaily beat Raja in February in Egypt but the tournament was shelved due to travel restrictions because of the pandemic.

The Moroccan side has offered to pay each player $27,500 if they manage to overturn the result and $64,018 if they win the trophy.

The Union of Arab Football Associations, UAFA, organizer of the championship, has scaled down the prize money owing to the pandemic impact.

According to initial plans, the winners will receive $6 million, runners-up $2.5 million, semi-finalist $500,000, quarter finalists $200,000, second tour teams will get $50,000 each while all participating teams will bag $20,000 each.

The second semi-final opposes Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad and al Shabab.