Source:
REUTERS/MOLLY DARLINGTON
[Saba
Sports News] In the 1/8 finals of the Asian Cup, Saudi Arabia suffered a 2-4
defeat to South Korea in a penalty shootout, ending their journey in the
tournament at the top 16. However, the match was not without controversy as
Saudi coach Roberto Mancini left the field early before South Korea took the winning
penalty kick. This action sparked criticism and debate. Former Egypt
international Mido expressed his disapproval of Mancini’s behavior on a show,
stating that if Mancini were the head coach of the Italian team, leaving early
after a loss would result in his dismissal. Mido speculated that Mancini might
be seeking a termination clause in his contract. Mancini officially took charge
as the Saudi coach on August 28, 2023, signing a contract with the Saudi
Football Association until 2027 with an annual salary of approximately 25
million euros (tax-free). The president of the Saudi Football Association,
Almisha, expressed his dissatisfaction with Mancini’s premature departure and
mentioned that they would discuss the matter with him to understand the reasons
behind it. He also stated that the association would decide on the appropriate
action after Mancini has the chance to explain himself. Despite the controversy
surrounding Mancini’s departure, Almisha expressed satisfaction with the team’s
performance in the Asian Cup from a technical standpoint. It would be
interesting to know the opinions of the fans regarding this incident.