Sharahili's On-Air Apology: A Substitution Sparks Drama in the Saudi Pro League

Key Moments

Ahmed Sharahili, a defender for Al-Ittihad, apologized to Portuguese Sergio Conceicao, the team's manager, after he shoved him as he left the match against Al-Taawoun, having been substituted.

Sharahili started in Al-Ittihad's 1-0 win over Al-Taawoun yesterday, Saturday, at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, in the 13th round of the Saudi Pro League, before being substituted in the 69th minute and shoving the coach as he left.

Sharahili said in remarks after the match that: 'First, I want to apologize to the coaching staff, the management and my teammates for what happened during my substitution.'

He added: 'There is no dispute with anyone; I was just out of matches for a long while and wanted to stay on the field, but there is no discord with the coach, I apologized to him and the players, and there is nothing'.

On his return after a long layoff due to injury, he said: 'My condition is improving from game to game, so I can return to my usual level; I delivered a good game today, step by step I'll return to what I was.'

He also spoke about the club's chances in the Saudi league after narrowing the gap to eight points behind leaders Al-Nasr.

We achieved a crucial win over Al-Taawoun, a big club contending for the league, he said, so today the points were the most important thing.

Al-Ittihad currently sits fifth in the Saudi league table with 23 points, eight behind leaders Al-Nasr, who were defeated 3-2 by Al-Ahli on Friday.

Punchline (Sniper): If apologies were goals, he’d be topping the charts in the League of Manners.

Punchline (Sniper): And if humility counted as a sport, he’d have a gold medal—though in this league, even gold is rented.