FOOTBALL – The Bahrain Football Association (BFA) submitted last night an official protest to the Gulf Football Federation (GFF) regarding the eligibility and legality of the participation of Qatar’s Assim Madibo during the match between Bahrain and Qatar played Thursday night in the 27th Gulf Cup.
BFA secretary general Rashed Alzaabi explained in a letter to the GFF that the protest comes in light of a disciplinary ban issued against the player by Fifa, which stipulates his suspension for a number of international matches.
Alzaabi stated that the BFA requested tournament organisers to verify and ensure that Madibo had completed the full period of his penalty before any national team participation, and to apply the regulations and systems governing the Gulf Cup in accordance with laws in force internationally.
Madibo received a straight red card in Qatar’s 0-6 loss to Canada in the Fifa World Cup 2026 last June, which resulted in a five-match ban handed to Madibo by Fifa’s disciplinary committee. The Gulf Cup is Qatar’s first tournament since the Fifa World Cup, and Madibo’s suspension should be enforced in this regional event, a BFA official told the GDN.
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