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9 months ago
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For tackling his players in the middle of a penalty shootout during the Asian Cup, Saudi Arabia coach Roberto Mancini attracted the wrath of his federation.
The scene is surreal: Roberto Mancini returning to the locker room, alone, while his team, Saudi Arabia, is playing for its place in the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup on penalties against South Korea. The Saudi selection has just missed its fourth attempt – the second in a row – and the Italian technician will say afterwards that he thought the session was over. However, there was still the decisive shot on goal to convert for the South Koreans.
The story could have ended there, but the Saudi Football Federation (SAFF) experienced the episode very badly, and particularly the epilogue of this frustrating elimination (1-1 with an equalizer conceded in the 90e+9; 4 tab to 2). “ This departure of the coach during the penalty shootout is completely unacceptable. We will talk with him to understand why he did that », Says Yasser Al-Misehal, the president of the SAFF, on the antenna of SSC, the broadcaster of the competition in the country.
Possible sanctions
Under contract until 2027, Roberto Mancini took office this summer and faced his first major challenge with the Saudi selection during this Asian Cup. He would receive an annual salary of $25 million, according to the Saudi press. “ He has the right to explain his point of view, and we will decide what action to take », Continues Yasser Al-Misehal, who therefore does not rule out disciplinary sanctions.
The boss of the SAFF nevertheless admits: “ Technically, we are satisfied with the performance achieved during the Asian Cup. » A year ago, under the leadership of Hervé Renard, Saudi Arabia caused a sensation during the World Cup held in Qatar, beating Argentina in its first outing (2-1) – the only defeat inflicted on the future world champions during the tournament. However, the Saudis did not reach the round of 16.
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Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team. As an author for the website, Manu's expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers. When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans. Feel free to follow Manu on Twitter and interact with him as he shares his expert opinions, insights, and love for French football.
