Mohammed Gholam: Al-Sadd will safeguard its rights

Al-Sadd sporting director Mohammed Gholam announced that the club has raised a complaint with the Qatar Football Association (QFA) against Al-Markhiya Club, for fielding an ineligible player.

Speaking to the club website, Mohammed Gholam said: “The club management is determined to safeguard the rights of the club and as such, has raised a complaint with the QFA after the game between Al-Sadd and Al-Markhiya in the QNB Stars League.”

According to the sporting director, the complaint is regarding the ineligibilty of Al-Markhiya player Saleh Al-Yahri to play in the match as per the rules and regulations of the QFA.

He added: “As per Article 55 of the QFA rulebook, we have the right to raise the complaint as the player should not be eligible to play. We are now waiting for the decision of the QFA in this matter.”

The complaint comes after Al-Yahri played in the match despite being sent off in the last match of the 2016-17 season, when appearing for Al-Markhiya against Al-Ahli in the second round of the Emir’s Cup. Al-Markhiya lost that game 0-2 and as per Article 55, Al-Yahri’s red card for two bookable offences means that he should miss the next game, which was the 2017-18 season opener against Al-Sadd.

Article 55 states: “If a player takes part in an official match despite being ineligible, his team will be sanctioned by forfeiting the match and paying a maximum fine of QR 100,000. If a player takes part in a youth match despite being ineligible, his team will be sanctioned by forfeiting the match and paying a maximum fine of QR 20,000.”

The sporting director also pointed out that the team is focused on preparing well for the next match. “Our focus is now on the next match against Al-Sailiya in Round 2 of the league. We will start preparations for it from Monday onwards to give our best and get the three points.”