Saudi footballers to be penalised for rout by Russia

Moscow, June 15: Members of Saudi Arabias national football team will face a disciplinary penalty for their crushing defeat by Russia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup opener.

“We are very disappointed by the defeat,” Saudi Football Federation chief Adel Ezzat was quoted as saying by the Al-Youm Assabaa newspaper.

“This result is totally unsatisfactory because it does not reflect the true level of our preparedness.

“Several players will face a penalty - goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayouf, striker Mohammad Al-Sahlawi and defender Omar Hawsawi,” he added.

The Chairman of the General Sport Authority, Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al-Sheikh, described the game as a “total fiasco” in a video address, posted on his Twitter page.

In its next game, Saudi Arabia is facing Uruguay in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don on June 20. IANS