Asian Cup host UAE fined for fan behaviour during Asian Cup semi-final against Qatar
The United Arab Emirates must play their first home qualifier for the 2023 Asian Cup in an empty stadium as part of a punishment for fan behaviour in the semi-final of this year's edition against Qatar. Shoes and bottles were thrown at Qatar players during their 4-0 win over the host nation UAE in Abu Dhabi in January while the governing AFC also said fans made "insulting sounds during the national anthem of Qatar."
- Sports
- AP
- Published Date: 05:33 | 11 March 2019
- Modified Date: 05:33 | 11 March 2019
Asian Cup host United Arab Emirates has been fined $150,000 for fan misconduct during the team's semifinal loss to eventual champion Qatar.
The Asian Football Confederation says incidents included fans in Abu Dhabi "making insulting sounds" during Qatar's national anthem.
Qatar players dodged shoes thrown by some spectators after the second goal in a 4-0 rout at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
The politically charged game was played on Jan. 29 following 18 months of an economic and travel boycott of Qatar by hostile regional neighbors, including the UAE.
The Asian soccer body says UAE fans also "got into a fight among themselves after the match," and one ran onto the field.
The UAE will have to play its first home qualifying game for the 2023 Asian Cup in an empty stadium.