Fifa fines Qatar football federation after players display T-shirts of ruler at World Cup qualifier

Football's governing body says charges relate to 'displaying a political image' and 'political displays' by fans during 3-2 win over South Korea in Doha.

Qatar's national team players wear T-shirts bearing portraits of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in support the Qatari leader at the Jassim Bin Hamad stadium in Doha on June 13. Karim Jaafar / AFP

Fifa has fined Qatar’s football federation after national team players breached rules against political statements by displaying T-shirts of the country’s ruler at a World Cup qualifier.

Fifa said on Thursday its disciplinary panel imposed a 50,000 Swiss francs (Dh189,141) fine and reprimanded Qatar, the 2022 World Cup hosts.

The charges related to “displaying a political image” and “political displays” by fans at a 3-2 win over South Korea in Doha, Fifa said. Qatar player Hasan Al Haydos was also fined 5,000 francs for unsporting unbehaviour.

The incidents happened on June 13, amid a dispute with regional rivals Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the UAE who have sought to isolate Qatar.

Qatar crisis and sport:

• West Asia rugby considering neutral host for Doha matches
• Middle East rugby chiefs in limbo as Qatar deadline looms
• UAE bans Qatari American football team
• Al Ahly coach suspended as row reaches Egyptian football

Qatar’s players warmed up for the game wearing white T-shirts with an image of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to show their support for him.

Fans in the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium also wore and displayed images of their ruler. After Al Haydos scored the opening goal, he took a T-shirt from a spectator and lifted it high in the air.

In other Fifa decisions announced on Thursday, a range of sanctions was imposed on host Bosnia-Herzegovina and Greece after a volatile end to a World Cup qualifier in June.

Serbia’s federation was fined 22,500 francs  for fans’ political chants and banners at a home qualifier against Wales.

Fifa also again acted against Mexico for a long-standing problem with its fans chanting homosexual slurs at opposing teams’ goalkeepers.