The Saudi Arabian Football Federation's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee issued an official decision to sanction Al-Kholoud goalkeeper Juan Cozani following the events that occurred during his team's match against Al-Najma. This firm decision reflects the committee's commitment to enforcing regulations and laws that ensure sporting competitions are conducted according to the highest standards of sportsmanship and mutual respect on the field.
The incident occurred during a match between the two teams at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Buraidah, as part of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League (Roshan League). The match observer noted in his official report that goalkeeper Kozani committed unsportsmanlike conduct towards ball boy Saleh Al-Anaz, prompting immediate intervention from the committee to review the violation and issue the appropriate penalty according to the disciplinary regulations.
Based on the evidence and reports from match officials, the committee decided to suspend goalkeeper Juan Cusani for one match in all official matches in which he is eligible to participate with his team. In addition to the suspension, the committee also imposed a fine of 10,000 Saudi Riyals, to be deposited into the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's account, as a disciplinary measure to ensure that such actions, which tarnish the image of the competition, are not repeated.
In a related context, this decision underscores the vital role of the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee in regulating local competitions. Its responsibilities extend beyond simply resolving clashes between players; they encompass protecting all personnel involved in organizing matches, including referees, administrators, and ball boys, who are integral to the match system. International and local regulations consistently emphasize the need to respect these individuals and refrain from any form of abuse or violence against them.
From a technical standpoint, Kozani's absence is a significant blow to Al-Kholoud, who are striving to improve their position in the standings, especially since the aforementioned match ended in a 2-1 defeat against Al-Najma. Such penalties typically serve as a harsh lesson for players to maintain composure and control their emotions, particularly during moments of defeat or high tension in crucial matches, as losing one's game could lead to significant absences in future rounds.
