The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has announced the outcome of its investigation into the controversy surrounding the national team’s withdrawal from the 2023 Asian Cup.
The investigation found that six players – Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Mohammed Maran, Khalid Al-Ghannam, Ali Al-Hazzani, Salman Al-Faraj, and Sultan Al-Ghannam – had violated team rules and regulations.
Al-Aqidi Suspended for 5 Months
Al-Aqidi, the team’s goalkeeper, has been suspended for five months and fined 300,000 Saudi riyals. The SAFF found that Al-Aqidi had asked head coach Roberto Mancini to delay his arrival at the team’s training camp in Qatar for personal reasons. He also told the team’s goalkeeping coach that he was not willing to be the third-choice goalkeeper.
Maran, Al-Ghannam, and Al-Hazzani Suspended for 1 Month
Maran, Al-Ghannam, and Al-Hazzani have been suspended for one month and fined 200,000 riyals each. The SAFF found that the three players had insisted on leaving the training camp after they were not included in the final squad for the Asian Cup.
Al-Faraj Fined 100,000 Riyals
Al-Faraj, the team’s captain, has been fined 100,000 riyals. The SAFF found that Al-Faraj had not been willing to join the team’s training camp in Portugal in October 2023.
Sultan Al-Ghannam Fined 200,000 Riyals
Sultan Al-Ghannam has been fined 200,000 riyals. The SAFF found that Al-Ghannam had asked Mancini to exempt him from joining the training camp.
