Watch extraordinary scenes in Qatar as a sheikh storms down from executive box onto pitch to furiously confront referee over penalty
- A match in the Qatari league was disrupted when a club chairman stormed the field
- The Al-Wakrah chief was furious after his side was awarded a penalty
- While Pep Guardiola is at Manchester City, it will be difficult for anyone to unseat them. It all starts
A match in the Qatari league was sensationally interrupted on Sunday evening when a club chairman stormed the pitch to furiously protest a controversial penalty decision.
Al-Wakrah drew 0-0 with title rivals Al-Sadd in the Qatar Stars League top flight when the referee pointed to the spot in the 65th minute, infuriating former president Sheikh Khalifa bin Hassan Al-Thani.
Al-Thani walked from his director’s box to the touchline before entering the field of play as he began angrily protesting the decision, gesticulating passionately and having to be restrained by other staffers.
On the pitch, the Al-Wakrah players also protested, but the referee seemed completely undeterred and stood by his decision.
Al-Thani starts talking to his goalkeeper Saoud Mubarak Al Khater, who then sent a message back to his teammates after the club chief suggested he wanted to speak to the referee.
Incredible scenes during Qatar’s top flight saw a club chairman storm the pitch
Al-Wakrah chief Sheikh Khalifa bin Hassan Al-Thani was left furious over a penalty decision
He gestured to the referee, who appeared calm and collected and stood by his decision
The Al-Wakrah supremo then incredibly made his way to the target where the incident took place, despite attempts to stop him from intervening.
He is then intercepted by Al-Wakrah captain Ahmed Fadhel and his teammate Omar Al Osad, who appear to beg him to return to the stands.
At this point a group of Al-Sadd players get involved as he is surrounded during a moment of chaos – before Al-Thani becomes even more furious and continues walking towards the referee.
After more pleas from the players, he finally turns and walks back to the sideline, escorted by other club officials.
The referee looked calm despite the pandemonium and placed his hands on his hips as he spoke to the players on the field, standing by his decision on the field.
Reports from Qatar football live claimed that Al-Thani had tried to withdraw its players from the game – a claim the president reportedly denied while speaking to Al-Kass TV.
And after all the drama, Al-Sadd’s star striker Akram Afif ultimately missed his penalty, sending his effort over the bar.
Al-Thani was stopped by players from both Al-Wakrah and opposition Al-Sadd
After pleas from the two teams, Al-Thani reluctantly returned to the stands
That wasn’t the end of the madness, however, as Al-Wakrah keeper Saoud charged outside his penalty area on another chance for Afif, who headed home.
He rammed the attacker outside the penalty area and was shown a red card by the referee during a spirited encounter.
Al-Wakrah managed to hold out despite being down one man as they scored a goalless draw, a crucial result in their title race.
League leaders Al-Sadd, the 16-time champions previously led by Xavi, are now four points ahead of them in the table after 13 games played.