The Saudi Arabian Football Federation's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee issued a firm and official decision to suspend Al-Shabab's administrator, Sand Sharahili, for four official matches. This decision stems from the events that occurred during his team's match against Al-Nassr in the previous round of the Saudi Professional League. The decision is part of the committee's efforts to enforce order and uphold sportsmanship within Saudi stadiums.
In a statement published on its official accounts, the committee confirmed that Sand Sharahili had violated Article (49-2-2) of the Disciplinary and Ethics Regulations, which pertains to misconduct or the use of inappropriate language towards match officials or opponents. The decision stipulates a four-match suspension for the administrator, including the automatic suspension resulting from the direct red card he received. This means he will be absent from his team's bench for the upcoming crucial matches in the league.
The committee did not stop at the suspension; it also fined the Al-Shabab club administrator 40,000 riyals (forty thousand Saudi riyals), to be deposited into the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's account. The committee concluded its statement by noting that this decision is final and not subject to appeal, in accordance with Article (144) of the Disciplinary Regulations, thus closing the door on any legal attempts by the club's management to mitigate the penalty.
The decision stems from the report submitted by the referee of the Riyadh derby match between Al-Shabab and Al-Nassr. The referee observed the administrator using offensive language and engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct, which warranted a red card and his expulsion from the field. Derby matches between Al-Shabab and Al-Nassr are always characterized by intense rivalry and passionate fan support, placing significant pressure on players, management, and coaching staff. However, regulations remain strict in addressing any misconduct to ensure the integrity of the competition.
This decision reflects the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's firm commitment to enforcing regulations and laws, especially given the significant progress the Roshan Professional League has made and the large global following it enjoys. The Kingdom's sports system strives to solidify the principles of fair play and mutual respect, rejecting any behavior that could tarnish the reputation of the strongest league in the Arab world and Asia. Sharahili's absence is expected to impact the administrative organization of Al-Shabab's bench for the next four rounds, requiring the technical and administrative staff to make arrangements to compensate for his absence.
