In what could be considered nothing less than a shocking turn of events at the Saudi Super Cup final, an unruly soccer fan wielding a whip lashed out at an Al-Ittihad player during a bizarre post-match confrontation.
Not surprisingly, most of it was captured on video — and yes, has therefore gone viral.
The incident unfolded after Al-Ittihad's 4-1 defeat to Al-Hilal in the final held at Abu Dhabi's Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium.
The video circulating on social media captured the moment when striker Abderrazak Hamdallah threw water from a bottle at the fan — who retaliated by brandishing a long whip and striking Hamdallah twice, seemingly targeting the athlete's back on the second lash.
The Super Cup, previously a single-game fixture between the league champions and King's Cup winners, was expanded in 2023 to include the runners-up from both competitions, with the venue shifted to Abu Dhabi.
The Football Players Association of Saudi Arabia (PFA) and SAFF said in a statement that it was "shocked with the disgraceful scenes involving a physical attack by an individual spectator on a member of the team from Al Ittihad Club."
That's not all.
"Like all other AFC and wider FIFA member associations, the priority of SAFF is to preserve the safety and enjoyment for everyone who just loves watching and playing the game," the statement added. "Football in Saudi Arabia is a family game and thankfully, fan disorder is extremely rare. It's why the actions of this 'so-called' fan go against all that Saudi football represents and we completely condemn the incident.
"There will be a thorough review of the spectator code of conduct. The review will ensure updated rules and regulations are put in place to swiftly and effectively impose suitable penalties to help avoid any repeat of such incidents.
"Even though the match took place outside of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and the Football Players Association of Saudi Arabia stand united in their commitment to prioritize safety and well-being at stadiums and will keep implementing comprehensive measures to maintain a secure environment for everyone involved in the game."
Al Ittihad striker Abderrazak Hammdallah was whipped by a fan after the Saudi Sup Cup soccer final. (Getty)
Hamdallah, known for his contributions to the Moroccan national soccer team during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has been a fixture in Saudi Arabian soccer for six seasons.
The incident underscores concerns about fan behavior and player safety at sporting events, prompting calls for enhanced security measures and stricter regulations.
