The Qatar Football Association Appeals Committee has decided to reduce the sanction imposed on Lekhwiya Sports Club midfielder Kareem Boudiaf to a four-match ban and a fine of QR50,000.
The initial suspension imposed on Boudiaf by the Disciplinary Committee was for six months and a fine of QR300,000 for his behaviour during his recent team’s recent clash with Al Arabi in Round 5 of Qatar Stars League.
The QFA Appeals Committee considered Boudiaf’s appeal and accepted to reduce his punishment.
Boudiaf will now return to QSL action in Round 9 against Al Khor.
Lekhwiya Sports Club’s General Secretary Adnan Al Ali expressed his thanks and appreciation to the QFA Appeals Committee for reducing the sanctions imposed on player.
Al Ali said in a statement on the club’s website, “Thank God for the decision of the appeal committee to reduce the harsh punishment, we are happy as the punishment was very tough for our club and also the national team.”
Karim Boudiaf expressed his happiness after the appeal committee’s decision saw his punishment reduced to just four matches.
Boudiaf said in a statement to the club, “Thank God for the end of this crisis which has meant I could not represent the team in some important matches and I thank the club management for standing beside me in this difficult situation.”
Boudiaf concluded by saying, “I thank the appeal committee for understanding what happened and I repeat my apology for what I did in this match. I will now begin preparing with my teammates for the difficult matches that now await us.”

October awards: Fossati bags Best Coach and Tabata wins Best Player
Jorge Fossati has claimed his second QSL Coach of the Month award this season after overseeing yet another great month with the Lions.
The team also has some of the highest physical stats and solid defensive stats which so far this season, make them the team to beat.
Rayyan scored 14 goals in October and conceded just 5; they have 12 points and as yet haven’t lost a single game.
The team created an impressive 16.5 chances on average and on average their opponents could only must 10.5 chances against them.
In addition Al Rayyan had the highest performance ranking of any other club in the QSL for the month of October. They averaged 359 passes per game in October, had 16 crosses per game, 36 penalty area entries per game, 7 shots on target and covered 107.2kms.
All this shows an aggressive approach to games which allows them to dominate their opponents and create many chances.
Rodrigo Tabata was yesterday awarded the QSL’s October Player of the Month Award at Al Rayyan’s training pitches.
Tabata’s average performance rating was 93.6 – the highest in the league for the month of October. Tabata also showed good performances in September as he has consistently been one of their best performers. Coincidently the Brazilian was given the award for best Player of the Month last October also, consistency personified!
The attacking midfielder picked up the award after four impressive displays last month in Rounds 4, 5, 6 and 7 where he scored three goals and gave three important assists.
Tabata scored one goal against Al Khor in Round 5, he struck early in just the second minute, then in the big derby versus Al Arabi he bagged two penalties on either side of the break as the Lions produced an emphatic 5-2.
He also gave three vital assists meaning that all in all Tabata was involved in six of his team’s goals in the month of October.