Chiefs, who last weekend retained their domestic league title, were sanctioned for withdrawing from this year's African Confederation Cup.

Caf slapped the mandatory ban, plus a $1500 fine on the popular Soweto team, in accordance with its regulations, which mandate a three-year ban for teams who withdraw from competitions after the fixtures have been determined.

Chiefs dropped down to the African Confederation Cup after a controversial elimination in the third round of the African Champions League but then refused to play when drawn against Egyptian club Ismaili.

The ban means they will not be able to compete in next year's Champions League, for which they qualified last week, or any other of Caf's competitions until 2009.

But Caf officials said South Africa would still be allowed two teams in next year's competition, meaning third-placed Mamelodi Sundowns will join league runners-up Orlando Pirates in the 2006 Champions League field.

In 2002 Chiefs were also fined by Caf after refusing to play a match in strife-torn Madagascar in defence of the African Cup Winners' Cup title they had won the year before.