A Qatari league match was sensationally interrupted on Sunday evening when a club president stormed the pitch to furiously protest a controversial penalty decision.
Al-Wakrah was drawing 0-0 with title rivals Al-Sadd in the Qatar Stars League top flight when the referee pointed to the spot in the 65th minute, which left the former president Sheikh Khalifa bin Hassan Al-Thani fuming.
Al-Thani made his way down from his executive box to the touchline before moving into the field of play as he began to angrily protest the decision, gesturing passionately and having to be held back by other members of staff.
On the pitch, the Al-Wakrah players also remonstrated but the referee looked undeterred and stuck by his decision.
Al-Thani began speaking with his goalkeeper Saoud Mubarak Al Khater, who then relayed a message back to his teammates after the club chief suggested he wanted to speak with the official.
The Al-Wakrah supremo then incredibly makes his way towards the goal where the incident occurred despite attempts to stop him from interfering.
That wasn't the end to the craziness, however, as Al-Wakrah keeper Saoud charged outside his box during another opportunity for Afif, who was bearing down on goal.
He clattered the forward outside the box and was shown a red card by the official during a feisty encounter.
Al-Wakrah managed to hold on despite having one man fewer as they ground out a goalless draw, a vital result in their title race.
League leaders Al-Sadd, the 16-time champions formerly managed by Xavi, are now four points ahead of them in the table after 13 games played.
Al-Wakrah was drawing 0-0 with title rivals Al-Sadd in the Qatar Stars League top flight when the referee pointed to the spot in the 65th minute, which left the former president Sheikh Khalifa bin Hassan Al-Thani fuming.
Al-Thani made his way down from his executive box to the touchline before moving into the field of play as he began to angrily protest the decision, gesturing passionately and having to be held back by other members of staff.
On the pitch, the Al-Wakrah players also remonstrated but the referee looked undeterred and stuck by his decision.
Al-Thani began speaking with his goalkeeper Saoud Mubarak Al Khater, who then relayed a message back to his teammates after the club chief suggested he wanted to speak with the official.
The Al-Wakrah supremo then incredibly makes his way towards the goal where the incident occurred despite attempts to stop him from interfering.
That wasn't the end to the craziness, however, as Al-Wakrah keeper Saoud charged outside his box during another opportunity for Afif, who was bearing down on goal.
He clattered the forward outside the box and was shown a red card by the official during a feisty encounter.
Al-Wakrah managed to hold on despite having one man fewer as they ground out a goalless draw, a vital result in their title race.
League leaders Al-Sadd, the 16-time champions formerly managed by Xavi, are now four points ahead of them in the table after 13 games played.
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