Penalty beyond the pitch: keeper sanctioned for ball boy incident in Roshen clash

Incident in Roshen clash leads to disciplinary action

The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation issued today the decision regarding the shameful incident that occurred during the match between Al-Khulood and Al-Najma in Round 22 of the Roshen League.

Najma, bottom of the standings, secured their first league win this season, defeating Al-Khulood 2-1.

During the game, an unsportsmanlike moment occurred as Al-Khulood's Argentine goalkeeper Juan Pablo Cozani lost his temper and struck the ball boy on the shoulder in the 84th minute, earning a yellow card. The incident did not pass unnoticed and sparked widespread discontent.

According to Al-Riyadiah, the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee suspended Juan Cozani for unsportsmanlike conduct toward the ball boy, as reported in the match observer's report.

The committee ordered a one-match ban in all official first-team competitions and a fine of 10,000 riyals payable to the Saudi Football Federation.

Statements and apology

Cozani apologized to the ball boy, saying: "Regarding the ball boy incident I apologize because my behavior was not correct, what I did was not appropriate." He added: "It was a moment of emotion and I was angry about the result. My reaction was wrong, and I am not proud of it, and I wanted to apologize to the ball boy." He further stated: "I went to apologize and explained that I was nervous and angry, and he understood; we shook hands and that was it." He concluded: "I also want to make clear that this conduct does not represent me or my values. I understand I made a mistake; despite my anger it was not right, but the matter ended on the pitch after I apologized and understood the situation."

Notes: A lot of coverage, but the action remains on the field—where decisions are made, and referees are never in short supply of whistles and coffee breaks. Just kidding: not about the incident, about the referee's whistle addiction. Punchline: If emotions were a goal, he would have scored a hat-trick. Punchline 2: Next time, bring a calm-down ball, not a ball boy.