The Qatar Football Association stated in a tweet on its official Twitter account that the two matches are the next match in the QNB League and the final match of the Qatar Cup.
QFA indicated that the suspension and fines came due to the media statements made by the player, Akram Afif, based on Articles No. 77/4 and 3-9/1 of the Discipline Regulations for the 2020-2021 sports season.
Article 77/4 of the Discipline Regulations for the season 2020-2021 stipulates that any person may be punished according to Article 9 if he makes public statements that harm the federation or the management of the Qatar Stars League or any club or contradict their interests through the media or social media.
Afif's statement during an interview with Al-Kass channel after the Qatar Cup semi-final match against Al-Rayyan sparked great controversy on social media.
Afif said in the statement that "we were playing against 11 and half players," referring to the referee and according to him “did not provide them with protection against the rough play by Al Rayyan players.”
