Asian Cup host UAE fined $150K for fans targeting Qatar
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Asian Cup host United Arab Emirates has been fined $150,000 for fan misconduct during the team’s semifinal loss to eventual champion Qatar.
The Asian Football Confederation says incidents included fans in Abu Dhabi “making insulting sounds” during Qatar’s national anthem.
Qatar players dodged shoes thrown by some spectators after the second goal in a 4-0 rout at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
The politically charged game was played on Jan. 29 following 18 months of an economic and travel boycott of Qatar by hostile regional neighbors, including the UAE.
The Asian soccer body says UAE fans also “got into a fight among themselves after the match,” and one ran onto the field.
The UAE will have to play its first home qualifying game for the 2023 Asian Cup in an empty stadium.
