Al Wasl fans to be kept away

DUBAI — The Higher Organising Committee of the AGCC Football Championships took drastic measures against Al Wasl Club ahead of their Gulf Club final against Qatar. Al Wasl’s fans will not be allowed to attend the home clash in the home and away format of the competition.

By Hisham Al Gizouli

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Published: Mon 12 Apr 2010, 12:32 AM

Last updated: Wed 8 Nov 2023, 9:03 AM

The club’s supporters attacked the physiotherapist of the Saudi visiting side Al Nasr in the second leg of the semi-final last weekend.

The Lebanese physiotherapist provoked Al Wasl fans with a rude gesture and the unstoppable young supporters rushed into the pitch and beat him.


However, the referee resumed the game after a short stoppage and Al Wasl won 4-2 on penalty shoot-out.

The Saudi Club management disagreed and raised the dispute to the FIFA, but they withdrew their claim on the grounds that the competition didn’t receive the FIFA recognition and resorted to the Higher Organising Committee.


However, the committee met in Manama, Bahrain and decided to uphold the result of the semi-final, but said Al Wasl supporters will not be allowed to attend the home clash of their team though they will be admitted in the away game in neighbouring Qatar on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the UAE football boss Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi commented: “What has happened was not acceptable at all. The Gulf countries should either learn how to organise proper competitions or refrain from doing so in the future. We cannot risk our brotherly ties because of a football game.”

The Saudi Media created a very big row over the issue and threatened that unless Al Wasl is punished and disqualified they would boycott all AGCC football tournaments.


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