DOHA: The Qatar Football Association Disciplinary Committee has reshaped the Qatar Stars League title race, ruling in favour of Al Shamal SC after confirming a player eligibility violation by Qatar SC in their April 13 clash.
In its official decision, issued after reviewing Al Shamal’s protest (No. 394/2026 dated April 14), the committee stated: “The protest submitted by Al Shamal Club is accepted in form and substance.”
It added: “Qatar Club lost the match with a score of 3-0, and a financial penalty of (10,000) riyals only.”
The ruling overturns the original 2-0 result and instead awards Al Shamal a 3-0 victory, significantly altering the standings at the top of the QSL.
The case centred on a second-half substitution made by Qatar SC after they were reduced to ten men just before half-time following the dismissal of Ali Saoudi for a dangerous challenge on Baghdad Bounedjah. Despite the red card involving a foreign player, Qatar SC later introduced Argentine defender Franco Russo in place of Ahmed Al Rawi, a local player - a move deemed a direct violation of squad regulations.
The committee cited Article 15 of the player status rules, which states that if one of six foreign players is sent off, the team must continue with five foreign professionals and cannot replace a local player with another foreigner.
It also referenced Article 61/1/b, noting: “The club shall be penalised as having lost… if it commits in any match a violation of the participation system… B - Participation of foreign players.”
Al Shamal lodged their protest within 24 hours of the match, arguing that the substitution - involving a foreign player entering after the red card - breached the competition rules.
Before the decision, the defeat left Al Shamal trailing leaders Al Sadd SC by five points, a gap that had placed the title out of reach with one round remaining. That result followed another setback and reflected a night where early defensive errors and missed chances proved costly.
The revised outcome restores three points to Al Shamal, bringing them back into direct contention and dramatically tightening the race. Defending champions Al Sadd – on 42 points – lead Al Shamal by two points.
Attention now turns to the final round on April 27, where Al Shamal face Al Sadd in a decisive clash that will determine the QSL champion on the pitch.
