Latest news with #ZabeelStadium
The National
07-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Dubai Police make arrests after fight among fans at UAE Pro League football match
Dubai Police on Wednesday said they had made arrests after violent scenes involving football fans at a UAE Pro League game over the weekend. Supporters of Shabab Al Ahli clashed with Al Wasl fans after the final whistle at Zabeel Stadium on Saturday. Videos on social media showed people throwing stones and brawling outside the ground. Another video showed fans confronting Shabab Al Ahli defender Bogdan Planic, prompting security staff to intervene as the player approached the team bus. Maj Gen Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi, assistant commander-in-chief for operations at the force, said police used surveillance video and analysis to identify those involved. Police did not say how many people were arrested. "Legal action has been taken against the individuals involved, and they have been referred to the competent authorities for further proceedings," he said. He warned football supporters against unruly behaviour in stadiums and reiterated the police's duty to uphold public safety at sports events. "Sporting events are intended to bring enjoyment and foster healthy competition in a spirit of mutual respect among fans," he said. "Stadiums must remain spaces of camaraderie and joy, not arenas of conflict and aggression. "We will continue to take legal action against anyone violating security protocols or fan conduct regulations," he said. Clubs punished The UAE Football Association on Tuesday issued fines against the clubs. Shabab Al Ahli was ordered to pay Dh70,000 over their fans' abusive language and for them throwing water bottles at rival supporters and onto the pitch. A fine of Dh80,000 was given to Al Wasl after their supporters lit smoke flares, used abusive language and threw water bottles. 'There were some arguments and inappropriate language between the fans,' said Faisal Al Shehhi, 42, a Shabab Al Ahli supporter, told The National. Fans were arguing on social media before the game, according to Mr Al Shehhi, with tension spilling over after the match. 'My wish is never to see such a thing in our stadiums,' he said.
The National
07-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Dubai Police make arrests after fans involved in fighting at UAE Pro League football match
Dubai Police on Wednesday said they had made arrests after violent scenes involving football fans at a UAE Pro League game over the weekend. Fans of Shabab Al Ahli clashed with Al Wasl supporters after the final whistle at Zabeel Stadium on Saturday. Videos on social media showed people throwing stones and brawling outside the ground. Another video showed fans confronting Shabab Al Ahli defender Bogdan Planic, prompting security staff to intervene, as the player approached the team bus. Dubai Police confirmed the arrests of "individuals involved in the post-match disturbances" after an investigation into the unrest. Maj Gen Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi, assistant commander-in-chief for operations at the force, said police combed through surveillance video and analysis to identify those involved. Police did not say how many people were arrested. "Legal action has been taken against the individuals involved, and they have been referred to the competent authorities for further proceedings," he said. He warned football supporters against "unruly behaviour in stadiums" and reiterated the police's duty to upholding public safety at sporting events. "Sporting events are intended to bring enjoyment and foster healthy competition in a spirit of mutual respect among fans," he said. "Stadiums must remain spaces of camaraderie and joy, not arenas of conflict and aggression. "We will continue to take legal action against anyone violating security protocols or fan conduct regulations," he added. Clubs punished The UAE Football Association on Tuesday issued orders and punishments to both clubs. Shabab Al Ahli was fined Dh 70,000 for their fans' abusive language, for their throwing of water bottles at rival supporters and on to the pitch. A fine of Dh80,000 was given to Al Wasl after their supporters lit smoke flares, used abusive language and also threw water bottles. 'There was some arguments and inappropriate language between the fans,' said Faisal Al Shehhi, 42, a Shabab Al Ahli supporter, told The National. Fans were arguing on social media before the game, according to Mr Al Shehhi, with tensions spilling over after the match. 'My wish is never to see such thing in our stadiums,' he said.
The National
06-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Police warn fighting football fans they face prosecution over violence at Dubai stadium
Football fans who rioted after a match in Dubai on Saturday face prosecution, police have warned. Fans of Shabab Al Ahli clashed with Al Wasl supporters following the final whistle at Zabeel Stadium. Videos shared on social media showed violent scenes of stone-throwing and fighting outside the ground. Another clip showed fans confronting Shabab Al Ahli defender Bogdan Planic, prompting security staff to intervene, as the player approached the team bus. A Dubai Police official said the force was investigating and studying surveillance footage to identify those behind the 'riots and arguments'. 'Police will stand against anyone who disturbs security and safety during football matches or any sport event,' said the official, who warned there would be prosecutions once the culprits were identified. 'The riot was caused by a few people and legal action will follow.' The tension between the supporters was a reflection of the high-stakes match unfolding on the pitch. Shabab Al Ahli's 2-1 defeat against last year's champions Al Wasl was their first loss of the season. However it did not derail them as second-placed Sharjah lost on Sunday, giving Shabab Al Ahli their ninth UAE Pro League title. It will not just be the police taking action over the violent scenes at the weekend. The incident is being brought before the UAE Football Association's disciplinary committee on Tuesday. One supporter told The National he witnessed the clashes first-hand. 'There was some arguments and inappropriate language between the fans,' said Faisal Al Shehhi, 42, a Shabab Al Ahli supporter. Fans were arguing on social media before the game, according to Mr Al Shehhi, with tensions spilling over after the match. 'My wish is never to see such thing in our stadiums,' he said. A video went viral in 2022 after a group of Al Wasl football fans wrapped their club's scarf around an Al Nasr club flag and raised it up the pole at a match between the two sides. Both teams issued statements condemning the 'irresponsible behaviour' after the Dubai derby. In 2018, two fans of rival football clubs were investigated by Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution after they exchanged 'offensive' and 'insulting' messages over social media that violated the country's cybercrime laws. In 1996, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Qasimi, 28, a member of the Sharjah royal family, was fatally injured by a firework during a match between the UAE and Egypt which took place in Dubai.
The National
06-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Police warn fighting football fans they face prosecution over riots at Dubai stadium
Football fans who rioted after a match in Dubai on Saturday face prosecution, police have warned. Fans of Shabab Al Ahli clashed with Al Wasl supporters following the final whistle at Zabeel Stadium. Videos shared on social media showed violent scenes of stone-throwing and fighting outside the ground. Another clip showed fans confronting Shabab Al Ahli defender Bogdan Planic, prompting security staff to intervene, as the player approached the team bus. A Dubai Police official said the force was investigating and studying surveillance footage to identify those behind the 'riots and arguments'. 'Police will stand against anyone who disturbs security and safety during football matches or any sport event,' said the official, who warned there would be prosecutions once the culprits were identified. 'The riot was caused by a few people and legal action will follow.' The tension between the supporters was a reflection of the high-stakes match unfolding on the pitch. Shabab Al Ahli's 2-1 defeat against last year's champions Al Wasl was their first loss of the season. However it did not derail them as second-placed Sharjah lost on Sunday, giving Shabab Al Ahli their ninth UAE Pro League title. It will not just be the police taking action over the violent scenes at the weekend. The incident is being brought before the UAE Football Association's disciplinary committee on Tuesday. One supporter told The National he witnessed the clashes first-hand. 'There was some arguments and inappropriate language between the fans,' said Faisal Al Shehhi, 42, a Shabab Al Ahli supporter. Fans were arguing on social media before the game, according to Mr Al Shehhi, with tensions spilling over after the match. 'My wish is never to see such thing in our stadiums,' he said. A video went viral in 2022 after a group of Al Wasl football fans wrapped their club's scarf around an Al Nasr club flag and raised it up the pole at a match between the two sides. Both teams issued statements condemning the 'irresponsible behaviour' after the Dubai derby. In 2018, two fans of rival football clubs were investigated by Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution after they exchanged 'offensive' and 'insulting' messages over social media that violated the country's cybercrime laws. In 1996, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Qasimi, 28, a member of the Sharjah royal family, was fatally injured by a firework during a match between the UAE and Egypt which took place in Dubai.
