In a swift move to contain a potential crisis, Mr. Ben Harb Werg, president of Al-Kholoud Club, issued the first official comment on the incident that occurred during his team’s match against Al-Najma Club in the Yellow Professional League, in which the team’s goalkeeper, Romanian Marius Kozminski, known as “Kozani”, was the protagonist.
The incident, which sparked widespread controversy on social media, involved goalkeeper Kozani pushing a ball boy to the sidelines in what was described as "unsportsmanlike conduct." The incident occurred at a critical point in the match, with Al-Khulood trailing and striving to equalize. The goalkeeper reacted angrily, justifying his actions by claiming the boy was trying to waste time and delay the return of the ball to the field.
As a result of this action, the referee did not hesitate to show the yellow card to goalkeeper Kozani, in accordance with the regulations that prohibit contact or inappropriate behavior with any of the elements of the game, including ball boys.
General context and importance of the match
This incident comes amidst fierce competition in the Yelo First Division League , considered the main gateway to promotion to the Saudi Professional League. Every match at this stage of the season is crucial, as clubs like Al-Kholoud and Al-Najma strive to secure every possible point to guarantee a place among the elite. This immense pressure on players and coaching staff can sometimes lead to nervous reactions that cause players to lose focus, as happened with goalkeeper Kozani.
The reaction of the Immortality Management and its impact
The management of Al-Kholoud Club, represented by its president, recognized the sensitivity of the situation and its impact on the club's image. In his statement, Ben Harp Werg emphasized that the club always expects its players to demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism and sportsmanship, noting that what occurred did not meet these standards. He added, "We believe this standard was not met in this incident, therefore the matter will be dealt with internally and appropriate measures will be taken.".
The club's management didn't just pledge to take internal action; they also took a remarkable humanitarian initiative to quell the anger of the sports community. The president announced an official invitation to the ball boy and his family to visit the club's headquarters. This step, he explained, was intended "to allow him to see firsthand the respect and appreciation we have for others, as our values are deeply rooted in respect and sportsmanship." This initiative is considered a smart move to repair the club's image and reaffirm its commitment to ethical values before sporting results.
Expected impact and potential penalties
Although the referee only issued a yellow card, such incidents are often reviewed by the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee . The committee is expected to issue further sanctions, which could include a fine for the player or club, or even a suspension for one or more matches, in order to reinforce the principle of respect for all participants in the game and prevent the recurrence of such behavior in Saudi stadiums, which have become a focus of international attention.
