The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation announced, in an official statement, the issuance of a disciplinary penalty against Al-Ahli club professional, Brazilian defender Roger Ibanez, in light of the events that took place in the team’s last match against Al-Fayha in the Saudi Professional League.
Details of the Disciplinary Committee's decision against Ibanez
The committee's decision was based on the referee's report from the match held on December 30, 2025, in which the referee issued a direct red card to the player for violent conduct against an opposing player. Based on the established violation of Article (48-1-1) of the Disciplinary and Ethics Regulations, the committee issued its decision on January 4, 2026, which included the following:
- Player Roger Ibanez is automatically suspended for one match as a result of the direct red card.
- The player is obligated to pay a financial penalty of 10,000 Saudi Riyals, to be deposited into the account of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.
- The decision is considered final and not subject to appeal in accordance with Article (144) of the regulations.
The context of competition and the importance of adhering to regulations
This decision comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is witnessing intense competition for top positions, with the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee striving to enforce strict standards of fair play and curb violent tackles that could endanger players' safety. Article (48) of the regulations is one of the fundamental pillars governing player conduct on the field, reflecting the Saudi Federation's commitment to raising the level of professionalism and discipline in the competition, which has gained widespread international attention.
Al-Ahly faces a severe technical crisis
Al-Ahli's troubles don't end with the suspension of their stalwart defender, Ibanez. The team's coaching staff faces an unprecedented challenge ahead of their upcoming match against Al-Akhdoud. The confirmed absence of eight players from the squad leaves the coach with a real tactical dilemma in compensating for these significant losses across all positions.
The list of absentees includes some heavyweights who form the backbone of the team: goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, defender Ali Majrashi, as well as Mohammed Abdulrahman and Yassin Al-Zubaidi. The absence also extends to midfield and attacking stars: Algerian Riyad Mahrez, Ivorian Franck Kessié, and Valentin Atangana.
Expected impact on the trench confrontation
The absence of so many key players, including Ibanez, Mahrez, Kessie, and Mendy, represents a significant blow to the team's stability. The coaching staff will have to rely on the substitutes and find alternative tactical solutions to maintain the team's balance. The upcoming match is of paramount importance to Al-Ahli's continued progress in the league, but these exceptional circumstances could make the Al-Akhdoud game an extremely difficult test of the team's resilience and ability to overcome adversity.
