The AFC Champions League Elite match took place at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai on 12 October 2026. Water bottles were reportedly thrown at Saleh Abu Al-Shamat as the injured Al Ahli winger left the pitch on a medical cart.
Sofascore's match statistics recorded a 3-1 win for Al Ahli: Roger Ibañez scored in the 20th minute, Pedro Malheiro replied for Al Wasl at 45+3, and Francisco Trincão and Firas Al-Buraikan added goals for Al Ahli after the break.
Abu Al-Shamat clash escalates
Abu Al-Shamat and Adryelson exchanged words and gestures before the Al Wasl player struck the Al Ahli winger on the head, according to the match account. Abu Al-Shamat fell, prompting protests. The referee showed neither player a red card over the confrontation.
About half an hour before the final whistle, Abu Al-Shamat was taken off injured on a medical cart.
AFC's preview described this as the sides' second match in the 2026/27 league phase. Al Wasl came into it after losing its opener, while defending champion Al Ahli had drawn 1-1 with Pakhtakor, salvaging a point with a late goal.
Anthem jeers set the tone
The hostility began before kick-off, when Al Wasl supporters jeered during Saudi Arabia's national anthem. The episode angered some Al Ahli players. A separate UAE domestic cup preview had focused on Al Ain's cup opener against Shabab Al Ahli; this Asian fixture was marked by incidents that threatened to eclipse the match.
The match account says the referee showed no red card over the confrontation. Sofascore's available match statistics, however, record a yellow card for Adryelson in the 40th minute and a VAR review. The claim that no cards were issued in the incidents described does not match that recorded data.
No confirmed subsequent AFC decision, club statement or disciplinary sanction concerning the reported bottle-throwing, anthem jeers or confrontation was found in the available independent material.
