AFC Fines Al Ahli and Players After Champions League SF Incidents

The Asian Football Confederation disciplinary and ethics committee has issued a series of financial penalties against Saudi club Al Ahli and several of its players following incidents during their AFC Champions League semifinal clash with Japan’s Vissel Kobe.

Al Ahli went on to secure the AFC Champions League Elite title after defeating Japan’s Machida 1–0 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

According to Saudi outlet Al Youm, the sanctions were based on match officials’ reports from the semifinal, which ended in a 2–1 victory for Al Ahli, sending them to the final against Machida. 

The Japanese side had also been beaten by the Saudi club, with international striker Firas Al Buraikan scoring the decisive goal in the final.

The AFC disciplinary committee imposed a fine of 13,000 dollars on Al Ahli after some fans threw paper onto the pitch, in addition to noting certain player conduct during the semifinal.

Separately, Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez, striker Ivan Toney, and defender Merih Demiral were each fined 10,000 dollars. The committee stated that the trio failed to pass through the designated mixed zone for post-match media duties, leading to the penalties.