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Tribune News Network
Doha
Soccer fans on social media are calling on FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to punish the UAE after Emirati fans pelted Qatari players with shoes and bottles during the Asian Cup semi-final.
Qatar thrashed hosts UAE 4-0 at a stadium full of hostile spectators in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Qatari fans were not allowed to attend the match because of an ongoing ban on Qatari citizens entering the UAE. Surplus tickets were also bought out by Emirati government-linked bodies and distributed to “loyal” local fans.
Qatari players were filmed being struck by and dodging slippers, shoes, and bottles thrown by local fans after scoring their second goal.
The AFC said it was “conducting a thorough investigation into events at the Asian Cup 2019 semi-final between the UAE and Qatar.”
“Once that investigation has been completed the AFC will decide on the appropriate next steps,” it added.
Many called for the UAE to be punished for setting the tone for the crowd’s behaviour and for its failure to protect the Qatari team.
“UAE fans threw shoes at Qatari players. They started off the game with booing national anthem. International bodies should reconsider giving UAE the chance to host reputed sporting events,” wrote Twitter user Olivia Thomas.
Qatar fan Arwa al Mansoori said FIFA and the AFC have to punish the Emirati authorities for the crowd’s behaviour.
“We demand penalties for the disrespectful and uncivilised action from the UAE fans towards the Qatari team. What happened to our team is not acceptable!” she wrote.
Doha
Soccer fans on social media are calling on FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to punish the UAE after Emirati fans pelted Qatari players with shoes and bottles during the Asian Cup semi-final.
Qatar thrashed hosts UAE 4-0 at a stadium full of hostile spectators in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Qatari fans were not allowed to attend the match because of an ongoing ban on Qatari citizens entering the UAE. Surplus tickets were also bought out by Emirati government-linked bodies and distributed to “loyal” local fans.
Qatari players were filmed being struck by and dodging slippers, shoes, and bottles thrown by local fans after scoring their second goal.
The AFC said it was “conducting a thorough investigation into events at the Asian Cup 2019 semi-final between the UAE and Qatar.”
“Once that investigation has been completed the AFC will decide on the appropriate next steps,” it added.
Many called for the UAE to be punished for setting the tone for the crowd’s behaviour and for its failure to protect the Qatari team.
“UAE fans threw shoes at Qatari players. They started off the game with booing national anthem. International bodies should reconsider giving UAE the chance to host reputed sporting events,” wrote Twitter user Olivia Thomas.
Qatar fan Arwa al Mansoori said FIFA and the AFC have to punish the Emirati authorities for the crowd’s behaviour.
“We demand penalties for the disrespectful and uncivilised action from the UAE fans towards the Qatari team. What happened to our team is not acceptable!” she wrote.
