A young ball boy has been gifted a brand-new car after a televised exchange with Al Kholood goalkeeper Juan Carlos Cozzani sparked widespread outrage on social media. Saleh Al Anaz became an overnight sensation when footage of the professional player shoving him during a match went viral, prompting a wave of sympathy and a surprising reward from a businessman.
Al-Kholood’s goalkeeper Cozzani completely lost it after the ball holder tried to waste time 😳
— All About SPL 🔔 🇸🇦 (@Saudifutbol) February 14, 2026
Now? Let’s see what the disciplinary committee decides…
pic.twitter.com/YtebnQJdRp
During the Al Kholood vs Al Najma game on Saturday, Cozzani appeared frustrated with young Saleh, shoving the boy before retrieving the ball himself. Saleh’s dejected reaction sparked a social media outcry, with many users expressing their sympathy for the youngster
Rakan Alqassimi, CEO of the Saudi firm RQ Marketing, gifted the boy a car on Tuesday after publicly expressing his outrage at the incident. Following the backlash, Al Kholood hosted Saleh at the club, where he was pictured alongside the goalkeeper in a gesture of reconciliation. The Saudi Pro League's Disciplinary Committee has since handed Cozzani a one-match suspension and fined him SAR 10,000 for his conduct.
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