‘SAFF has a racism problem against Arabs’: SL coach slams organisers over late-night disciplinary email

“I believe SAFF has a problem, racism against Arabs,” Sri Lanka coach Abdullah Al Mutairi said on Wednesday, hitting out at organisers over a midnight disciplinary email following his side’s 4-0 defeat to Bangladesh in Dhaka and subsequent elimination from the SAFF Championship.

Mutairi said he received the email on Tuesday midnight, and it referenced his comments after Sri Lanka’s 2-2 draw with Bhutan on Sunday, where he criticised the refereeing, called for VAR from the group stage and spoke of fair play.

His side got completely outplayed by Bangladesh in the match, but Mutairi was in no mood to talk about the defeat.

“Today was not our day. Congratulations for Bangladesh. Now, let's enjoy,” that’s all he had to say about the match.

He then showed the email he allegedly received at midnight, read it out and said he would share it all later on social media.

He said it noted his criticism of specific refereeing decisions, and his call for VAR. “If I don’t use any abusive language, why you sent me in the midnight?” he said, questioning the timing of the email as his side had a match coming up the very next day.

He said the email came from SAFF’s legal department and gave him 10 hours to reply. “Why you send in the midnight? You cannot wait until 9:00 tomorrow?” he asked.

Mutairi said the email proposed a six-month ban and a $10,000 fine. He said he answered with a 14-point response.

He also said he would not return to the SAFF region. “This is the last time I come to the SAFF region,” he told reporters, adding that SAFF “don’t like Arabs”.

On Sunday he had questioned whether commercial interests were shaping the tournament. “If the commercial benefits mean you want India and Bangladesh in the final,” he said, “just have a competition between those two.”

On Wednesday, he referenced how the SAFF had acted against India's coach at the 2023 SAFF Championship, compared to how he was treated.

During the 2023 edition, India coach Igor Stimac physically interfered with Pakistani defender Abdullah Iqbal to stop a throw-in, sparking a major touchline brawl. Later in the tournament, he was shown a red card and later fined 500 USD for using abusive language against match officials during the match against Kuwait.

Mutairi pointed out Stimac’s meagre fine and compared the treatment he is receiving from SAFF.

“He’s European, he’s coach of India, who can stop him?” Mutairi said. He asked whether SAFF would treat a European, American or Russian coach the same way.

Mutairi also said he was barred from the touchline for the 2021 final, when he was Nepal’s coach, after two yellow cards in two matches. “If you find one article in that regulation to suspend the official who has two yellow cards, I will stop coaching football,” he said.

Asked whether he expected a 4-0 defeat, Mutairi said the email had already shaped his view. “From the email, I know we will lose already. Why you are in a hurry and sending this email before Bangladesh match,” he said.

“I will publish all the evidence in my Facebook in a few hours or tomorrow. They can do whatever they want, ban me two years, three years.”