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Saudi reviews football fan rules after whip attack
Al Jazeera
Saudi football authorities to review fan protocols after Al Ittihad’s Abderrazak Hamdallah was whipped by a spectator.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has vowed to review the fan code of conduct after a “disgraceful” attack in which a spectator appeared to whip a player.
The incident occurred on Thursday, April 11, during a match between Saudi teams Al Ittihad and Al Hilal at the Saudi Super Cup in Abu Dhabi.
Footage circulating online shows Al Ittihad striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, a Moroccan national, getting into a tense exchange with – and flinging water on – a thobe-wearing fan in the stands who then strikes Hamdallah with what looks like a whip.
Spectators and players then intervene to separate the two men.
Hamdallah scored in the 21st minute but his team went on to lose 4-1.