February 27 – In extraordinary scenes that have been circulated worldwide, one of the biggest Qatari league matches of the season was interrupted on Sunday when a club president stormed on to the pitch to furiously protest a controversial penalty decision.
Al-Wakrah were drawing 0-0 with title rivals Al-Sadd in the Qatar Stars League top flight when the referee awarded Al Sadd a spot kick in the 65th minute, infuriating Al-Wakrah president Sheikh Khalifa bin Hassan Al-Thani.
In scenes that rarely occur in Qatari football, Al-Thani made his way down from his executive box to the touchline before moving on to the field of play, angrily protesting the decision to the referee and reportedly having to be held back by members of staff.
As the game briefly came to a standstill, players from both teams are said to have intervened by coaxing Al-Thani off the field.
Some Qatari reports claimed Al-Thani had attempted to withdraw his players, an allegation he apparently denied while speaking to Al-Kass TV.
Despite the chaos, the referee stood firm on his decision only for Asian Cup star Akram Afif to miss from the spot, the game ending goalless despite Al-Wakrah’s goalkeeper being sent off.
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