Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu is concerned about players’ safety during AFC matches

Ahli shift focus to potential dangers encountered by player, rather than hefty suspension goalkeeper Majed Naser received for alleged physical abuse, writes John McAuley.

Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu insisted he was shocked by the suspension, claiming his player was not the guilty party. Sarah Dea/The National

DUBAI // Cosmin Olaroiu, the Al Ahli coach, has raised concerns regarding player safety as his club appeal the six-match ban handed down by the Asian Football Confederation to Majed Naser.

The UAE goalkeeper was penalised for an altercation with Iranian photographers following the Asian Champions League match with Tractor Sazi in Tabriz on March 4.

Naser was judged to have pushed a camera into the face of one photographer as a group surrounded the Ahli No 1 immediately after the final whistle, in a match that ended 1-0 to the hosts. Subsequently, the AFC suspended Naser for six games.

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However, the UAE champions appealed the sentence once they had reviewed video footage, which they maintain depicted Naser involved simply in a heated exchange with the photographers.

Seeking to have the ban significantly reduced, Ahli believe the goalkeeper’s poor disciplinary record – earlier this season, Naser had a six-month ban for allegedly spitting at a referee overturned – influenced the AFC’s decision.

Olaroiu said he was shocked by the suspension, claiming his player was not the guilty party. Ahli argue that, throughout the Tractor tie, Naser was subjected to verbal abuse from those situated behind the goal.

“Honestly, I don’t know why they have to give him six games,” he said. “We watched the video after the match and didn’t see anything. I don’t understand how photographers or journalists can stay behind the goal and insult the players. How are they allowed to stay there? And interfere by going onto the pitch? This I don’t understand.

“That is their problem, not ours. They should protect the player. Someone can shoot him, can kill him. How do you protect the player? From this, come the problems. And they judge only us.”

Ahli’s next Champions League fixture is away to Nasaf, the Uzbekistan club with whom they drew 0-0 at home two weeks ago, on Tuesday. Although the Dubai side cannot as of yet confirm the length of Naser’s suspension, they do expect him to be unavailable for the trip to Qarshi. Dida, who began last week’s 1-0 league victory against Al Dhafra, should retain his place in goal.

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