The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has pledged to reassess the fan code of conduct following a “shameful” incident where a spectator appeared to assault a player.
During a match between Al Ittihad and Al Hilal at the Saudi Super Cup in Abu Dhabi, footage emerged of a fan striking Al Ittihad striker Abderrazak Hamdallah with what seemed to be a whip after a tense exchange, which led to intervention from both spectators and players.
Despite Hamdallah scoring in the 21st minute, his team suffered a 4-1 defeat.
SAFF and the Football Players Association of Saudi Arabia expressed shock at the incident, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring the safety of everyone attending matches.
Acknowledging football as a family-oriented sport in Saudi Arabia, they denounced the actions of the fan, labeling them as contradictory to the spirit of Saudi football.
Consequently, they announced plans for a comprehensive review of the spectator code of conduct to implement updated rules and regulations, ensuring swift and effective penalties to prevent similar incidents in the future.
While Saudi Arabia aims to establish itself as a prominent figure in global football, it remains the sole candidate to host the 2034 World Cup and has attracted renowned players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema to the Saudi Pro League with lucrative salaries.
