AFC Refers Shabab Al Ahli Protest to Disciplinary and Ethics Committee After Controversial VAR Call
AFC accepts Shabab Al Ahli’s protest over a disputed VAR call in the AFC Champions semi-final, referring the matter to the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee as the club seeks a replay.
Shabab Al Ahli has had its complaint accepted by the Asian Football Confederation and formally sent to the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee, the body tasked with the final ruling.
The protest follows the club’s 0-1 defeat to Japan’s Machida Zelvia in the AFC Champions semi-final, with Shabab Al Ahli asking that the match be replayed after a late goal was overturned.
AFC Acceptance and Formal Referral
AFC officials have confirmed the protest lodged by Shabab Al Ahli has been accepted for consideration and passed to the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee.
The referral signals that the matter will be examined under the confederation’s disciplinary code and that any decision on remedies, sanctions or a replay will be issued by that committee.
Disputed 92nd-Minute Goal at the Centre of the Case
The controversy arose after Shabab Al Ahli appeared to have equalised in the 92nd minute when Bala struck from outside the box and the ball crossed the line.
Referee Sean Evans of Australia reviewed the play with the Video Assistant Referee and ruled the goal out, citing an irregularity linked to the timing of a substitution by Machida Zelvia that preceded the sequence.
Club Decision to Remain in Jeddah Pending Outcome
In response to the referral, Shabab Al Ahli’s delegation elected to remain in Jeddah rather than return home, underlining the club’s intent to pursue its appeal through to a definitive ruling.
The stay in Saudi Arabia allows club officials, legal representatives and competition delegates to follow the disciplinary process closely and prepare any further submissions required by the committee.
How AFC Regulations Could Lead to a Replay
Under AFC disciplinary procedures, the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee can order a replay if it finds a breach that materially affected the match outcome or if a procedural error impacted the integrity of play.
Other possible outcomes include upholding the result, imposing sanctions related to the match management, or ordering corrective measures short of a replay depending on the committee’s interpretation of the rules.
Sporting and Scheduling Implications of a Replay
A decision to replay the match would have immediate consequences for tournament scheduling, player availability and logistics for both clubs, as well as broadcasters and organisers.
Organisers would need to determine venue, timing and ticketing arrangements while balancing broader competition timelines and commitments already in place.
Reactions Inside the Club and Next Procedural Steps
A source close to Shabab Al Ahli told club officials that the AFC indicated the disciplinary panel would be the deciding authority, reinforcing the club’s determination to seek full review of the incident.
Machida Zelvia and match officials have not publicly altered their recorded result; any formal statements or appeals from the Japanese side would normally form part of the disciplinary dossier considered by the committee.
The coming days will be critical as the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee examines video evidence, referee reports and written submissions from both sides before issuing a formal ruling.
Whatever the outcome, the decision will set a notable precedent for how VAR-related timing and substitution issues are treated in future continental fixtures.
