Scandal-hit goalkeeper Majed Nasser’s reported altercation with an Iranian photographer has put Al Ahli on a collision course with the Asian Football Confederation.
The Red Knights have launched an appeal against the decision to issue a six-match ban after the 30-year-old came under the governing body’s spotlight.
The livewire UAE No1 was found guilty of attacking a member of the media during the 1-0 AFC Champions League defeat at Tractor Sazi on March 4.
The Red Knights have jumped to his defence, reacting with “extreme surprise” to the AFC Disciplinary Committee‘s decision.
The Arabian Gulf Super Cup holders further insisted in a statement released on their website yesterday that Nasser had been the victim of provocation.
Nasser has repeatedly fallen foul of the authorities during his shocking career, notably being suspended for 17 matches while at Al Wasl for slapping then Ahli coach Quique Sanchez-Flores in 2012. He has already won one appeal this season, a six-month ban and Dh200,000 fine being withdrawn for spitting at referee Yacoub Al Hammadi during October’s fiery 1-1 draw against Al Ain.
The Boss have also put themselves on a collision course with the AFC, deciding to appeal winger Miroslav Stoch’s four-match ban for an incident with the referee during the 1-0 continental win at Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor.
The Slovakia winger smashed in the game’s solitary goal on March 18, sending Al Ain top of Group B. He then sullied a decisive performance by clashing with South Korean official Jong-Hyeok Kim.
“The club began to appeal against the decision of the AFC Disciplinary Committee about stopping Miroslav for four games of the AFC Champions League competition,” said Mohammed Obaid Hamad, supervisor of Al Ain’s senior squad.
“The decision to stop Miroslav Stoch came at an unfortunate time, as we are in dire need of the efforts of all the team during the next phase.”
