Clashes occurred among fans during the tense football match between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, with national anthems being mocked.
The Saudi team won 2-0 in Jeddah, securing its first Gulf Cup title since 2004. The match began in a tense atmosphere as some Saudi fans shouted and sang during the performance of the Emirates' national anthem. An UAE goalkeeper was seen on video shaking his head in response to these shouts.
Video footage circulated on social media allegedly shows that UAE fans were doing the same, loudly singing the Saudi anthem. Furthermore, reports indicate that Saudi fans threw packages at UAE fans.
During the game, Saudi fans also threw bottles at UAE players shortly before the final whistle. One UAE player was filmed throwing a bottle back towards the fans.
These incidents followed the referee Jalal Jayed issuing three yellow cards for unsporting behavior, and then showing a red card to UAE substitute Khaled Ibrahim, who was not even playing. Ibrahim was sent off for pushing an assistant referee during a clash between both teams.
Footage taken outside the stadium allegedly showed UAE fans wrapped in UAE flags, punching, and seemingly kicking someone on the ground. The publication Middle East Eye could not independently verify this footage.
This is not the first instance of UAE fans engaging in acts of violence. Last October, during a World Cup qualifier, UAE fans threw sandals, plastic bottles, and cups at Qatar players who were celebrating a goal.
Some social media users linked the tense events of that evening to broader tensions in the Persian Gulf between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. For some time, the two powers have been in disagreement over issues such as oil production, as well as the wars in Sudan and Yemen.
