Qatar SC players celebrate a goal against Al Shamal.
Doha, Qatar: Following a 0-2 defeat to 10-man Qatar SC in the Qatar Stars League (QSL) yesterday, Al Shamal lodged a formal complaint with the Qatar Football Association (QFA), alleging that the opposition fielded an ineligible player.
The result at Al Bayt Stadium dealt a major blow to Al Shamal’s quest for a maiden title, with the appeal now carrying significant implications ahead of the final round on April 28.
With 42 points, Al Sadd are five clear of Al Shamal, with both sides set to meet on the final matchday.
A ruling on Al Shamal’s appeal could confirm a record-extending 19th QSL title for Al Sadd, who were in action against Al Hilal in the AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16 yesterday.
It was another disappointing night for David Prats’ Al Shamal, who followed their defeat to Al Shahania with a performance defined by early errors and missed opportunities as Qatar SC capitalised on defensive lapses.
A loose clearance from Jeison Ceron off a Joao Pedro long ball fell to Ahmed Al Rawi, who opened the scoring in the seventh minute. Eleven minutes later, goalkeeper Babacar Seck miscontrolled a routine pass, allowing Pedro to double the lead.
Al Shamal responded through Baghdad Bounedjah but lacked precision in the final third, with Qatar SC goalkeeper Ali Nader producing a series of important saves.
The match turned before half-time when Qatar SC were reduced to ten men after Ali Saoudi was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Bounedjah in stoppage time.
Al Shamal pushed forward after the restart. Naim Sliti struck the crossbar, but the breakthrough never came as Nader remained solid throughout.
The result has since been formally challenged by Al Shamal, who confirmed they have lodged an official protest with the Qatar Football Association.
In a club statement, Al Shamal said they are “protesting Qatar SC’s fielding of professional player Franco Russo instead of Ahmed Al Rawi following the expulsion of Ali Saoudi due to a red card received in today’s match,” a rescheduled fixture from the 17th round of the QSL.
The club added that the protest is based on Article 15 of the competition regulations governing player eligibility and matchday squad composition following dismissals.
Al Shamal stated that the regulations “stipulate that if one of the six foreign professional players on the field is sent off or receives a red card, a Qatari/resident player cannot be substituted by a foreign professional player, and the team must continue with five foreign professionals on the field.”
The QFA ation is expected to review the complaint before issuing a ruling that could have implications for the final standings, with the title race awaiting final mathematical and disciplinary confirmation.
In another postponed match yesterday, relegation-threatened Al Sailiya edged Al Arabi 2-1 at Al Thumama Stadium.
Anwar El Ghazi put Al Sailiya ahead in the fifth minute before Younes Belhanda doubled the lead in the 20th minute. Rodri reduced the deficit in the 81st minute, but Al Sailiya held firm to secure a vital win.
The result lifted Al Sailiya to 22 points, moving them clear of the bottom as they now lead Umm Salal and Al Shahania by two points.
Al Arabi remain on 32 points, three behind Al Rayyan, Qatar SC and Al Gharafa in a battle for a top-four finish.
