The Saudi Arabian Football Federation condemns an attack on a Moroccan player after a football match in Abu Dhabi.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has strongly condemned the recent attack on Al Ittihad striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, following a disturbing incident that occurred after a match in Abu Dhabi.
The event has prompted a thorough review of the fan code of conduct to prevent such occurrences in the future.
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This shocking episode took place last Thursday evening at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium after Al Ittihad's 4-1 defeat in the Saudi Super Cup final to Al Hilal.
In the heat of the moment, an altercation between Hamdallah, a Moroccan national, and a spectator escalated when the fan struck the player with what seemed to be a whip.
The footage of this event quickly spread on social media, drawing widespread criticism and concern.
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The SAFF, together with the Football Players Association of Saudi Arabia, issued a statement expressing their dismay over the incident.
"We are shocked with the disgraceful scenes involving a physical attack by an individual spectator on a member of the team from Al Ittihad Club," the statement read.
"Such behavior is completely against the values that Saudi football stands for. We are committed to ensuring the safety of everyone involved in the game and will take all necessary steps to prevent a recurrence."
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The governing bodies emphasized that football in Saudi Arabia is family-oriented and incidents of fan disorder are exceptionally rare, which makes the attack even more appalling.
"Football is a family game in Saudi Arabia and, thankfully, such incidents of fan disorder are extremely rare. This is why the actions of this 'so called' fan go against all that Saudi football represents. We completely condemn the incident and will ensure updated rules and regulations are swiftly put in place," they added.
SAFF announced that there would be a comprehensive review of the spectator code of conduct.
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This review aims to implement stringent measures that will allow for swift and effective penalties, ensuring the well-being and safety of players and spectators alike.
This is not the first time this season that Saudi teams and their fans have had clashes. Earlier incidents involving high-profile players like Cristiano Ronaldo who faced suspensions and fines for reactions to fan provocations highlight the tensions that can arise in highly charged matches.
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