DUBAI // The UAE Professional League Committee will meet today to discuss the brawl that ensued after Thursday's Pro League match between Al Nasr and Al Ain. The Nasr and Ain players and officials clashed at the end of the 2-2 draw. Winfried Schaefer, the Ain coach, alleged that the catalyst for the post match events was a continuation of an altercation between Jorge Valdivia and Nasr's Mahmoud Hassan Darwish.
"Mahmoud spat in the face of Valdivia and the fight after the end was a continuation of that incident," alleged Schaefer. "Valdivia showed those spit marks to the referee, who just shrugged his shoulders." Mahmoud, however, denied the accusations and laid the blame on Schaefer and his Brazilian striker Andre Dias. "I did not spit at anyone and the cameras are there to prove my innocence," he said.
"The Al Ain coach started all the problems. Me and Valdivia were walking towards the tunnel after the game, when Schaefer ran towards me and tried to attack me. Dias was already waiting for me. Abdulla Mousa [the Nasr goalkeeper] tried to shield me, but he was pushed away by Waleed Salem [the Ain reserve goalkeeper]. "I was just defending myself against the attacks. Every football player faces provocations on the field, but to turn into a battle is unacceptable."
Mohammad Ebrahim al Mahmoud, the deputy chairman of the UAE Professional League Committee, who witnessed the drama first-hand has promised to punish all those involved in the fracas. The referee Hamad Ali has already submitted his report and Mahmoud said: "I am a witness to the ugly events that happened after the final whistle and I am going to prepare a report. Strict action will be taken against all those who were involved."
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