The Committee has awarded Al Shamal a 3-0 victory against Qatar SC, in a match which they had initially lost 2-0, after the club lodged a formal protest concerning the alleged improper use of a player by their opponents.
During the fixture on Monday April 13th, Qatar SC’s Tunisia international Ali Saodi was sent off close to the half-time whistle. At the start of the second half, Qatar SC substituted Qatari player Ahmed Al-Rawi with Argentine defender Franco Russo.
However, under Article 15 of the Players' Status Regulations, when a player classified as a “foreigner” is sent off while six foreign players are on the field, teams are not permitted to replace any of the five Qatari or resident players with another foreign professional and must instead complete the match with only five foreign players on the field.
Following the match, Al Shamal lodged a protest with the Disciplinary Committee, which ultimately ruled in their favour. This decision means that Al Sadd’s previously assumed title triumph is no longer valid, leaving the championship to be decided in the final round of the season.
The decisive match will take place on 27 April, when Al Sadd host Al Shamal, with just two points separating the sides in what is now set to be an exciting conclusion to the Qatar Stars League campaign.