Saudi footballers to be penalised for loss against Russia

Saudi Football Federation decided to fine its players who have underperformed in the 5-0 defeat against Russia in the opening match.

"Several players will face a penalty — goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayouf, striker Mohammad Al-Sahlawi and defender Omar Hawsawi," Saudi Chief Adel Ezzat said.

Members of Saudi Arabia’s national football team will face a disciplinary penalty for their crushing 0-5 defeat by Russia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup opener on Thursday.

“We are very disappointed by the defeat,” Saudi Football Federation chief Adel Ezzat was quoted as saying by the Al-Youm Assabaa newspaper, reports Tass news agency.

“This result is totally unsatisfactory because it does not reflect the true level of our preparedness.

“Several players will face a penalty — goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayouf, striker Mohammad Al-Sahlawi and defender Omar Hawsawi,” he added.

The Chairman of the General Sport Authority, Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al-Sheikh, described the game as a “total fiasco” in a video address, posted on his Twitter page.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup kicked off on Thursday with the opening match in the Russian capital Moscow between host Russia and the national team from Saudi Arabia, which Russia won 5-0.

In its next game, Saudi Arabia is facing Uruguay, who beat Egypt 1-0 on Friday, in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don on June 20.