A distraught Al-Ittihad supporter took his team’s defeat in the Saudi Super Cup Final to extreme measures by constituting an assault on forward Abderrazak Hamdallah.
Al-Ittihad, featuring former Celtic player Jota who has struggled since his £25 million transfer from the Scottish Premiership, faced Al-Hilal for the coveted trophy.
However, their hopes were dashed as they suffered a resounding 4-1 defeat in the final of the Saudi Super Cup.
Striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, despite scoring to level the game at 1-1 in the 21st minute, became the target of a fan’s ire.
As Hamdallah exited the field, attempting to placate the shouting supporter by splashing water from his bottle, the situation escalated dramatically.
Al-Ittihad Supporter Assault Abderrazak Hamdallah
The enraged fan produced a whip and began striking Hamdallah, prompting the player’s teammates to swiftly intervene, ushering him away from harm’s way.
Witnesses observed the chaotic scene unfold, with Al-Ittihad players visibly incensed by the fan’s violent outburst.
Another supporter managed to restrain the assailant momentarily before security personnel intervened to restore order in the stadium.
The incident underscores the intense emotions often associated with football enthusiates, as supporters invest deeply in the success and failure of their beloved teams.
While passionate displays of support are commonplace in the sporting world, resorting to physical violence crosses a dangerous line, endangering both players and fellow spectators.
As Al-Ittihad grapples with the aftermath of this shocking incident, it serves as a sobering reminder of the need for mutual respect and sportsmanship in football, both on and off the pitch.
Al-Ittihad fortunes in the 2023/24 season
Al-Ittihad, who have signed the likes of Benzema, Chelsea legend N’Golo Kante, ex-Liverpool midfielder Fabinho, and former Celtic ace Jota in the past year, are struggling domestically.
They’re fourth in the Saudi Pro League table and are a whopping 30 points behind runaway leaders Al-Hilal, who are undefeated.
Al-Ittihad were crowned champions last season, but their star signings haven’t hit the ground running as quickly as they’d hoped.
Benzema, for example, has scored just nine league goals all season while Fabinho has struggled for fitness at times
On Tuesday, Al-Hilal will travel back to the United Arab Emirates to face Al-Ain in the opening leg of the Asian Champions League semi-finals, aiming to secure their fifth continental title.
This potential milestone season for the club follows significant investment in player transfers, totaling around 350 million euros ($380 million).
The infusion of funds came after the club’s acquisition by the Saudi sovereign wealth entity, the Public Investment Fund, overseen by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
