
Fines, Bans, And A Brawl: Inside The Al Arabi–Kuwait SC Controversy
Al Arabi Club has been fined KD 8,000 due to repeated violations by its supporters, including the use of smoke bombs, fire crackers, and offensive chants. Three Al Arabi players — Sofiane Bouchar, Emmanuel Iwala, and Hamza Khaba — have each been suspended for two matches and fined KD 1,000 for their conduct during the incident.
Additionally, a member of the Al Arabi Fans Association has been banned from entering stadiums for three months and fined KD 1,000 for behavior deemed inappropriate on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Another Al Arabi fan has been banned from stadiums for one year and fined KD 500 after storming the pitch and engaging in a physical altercation with Kuwait SC players.
Kuwait SC has also faced disciplinary action. Players Sami Al-Sanea, Ayman Abu Al-Fath, Mohammed Daham, and Ahmed Al-Zanki have each received two-match suspensions and KD 1,000 fines. Meanwhile, player Amr Abdel Fattah was fined KD 500 for exchanging blows with a pitch-invading Al Arabi fan.
Lastly, a photographer has been suspended for two matches and fined KD 500 after being involved in a physical altercation with a supporter.
The Kuwait Football Association emphasized the importance of upholding sportsmanship and maintaining security standards during all official fixtures.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arab Times
a day ago
- Arab Times
Kuwait Patrols Unleash Crackdown on Drug Dens in Midnight Raids
KUWAIT CITY, July 26: Kuwait police have referred four individuals to the General Department of Narcotics after they were arrested in three separate locations for possession of narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and cash believed to be proceeds from drug sales, a security source revealed. The first incident took place in the Omariya area, where patrol officers noticed two individuals behaving suspiciously, attempting to hide bags beneath parked cars. Upon seeing the officers, the suspects fled on foot but were quickly apprehended. Both were identified as Asian nationals. A search revealed 26 packets of narcotics in their possession. During initial questioning, the suspects admitted to selling drugs to youth, receiving payments through online links. Deliveries were made by concealing the drugs under parked cars and sending the location via mobile phone. The second arrest occurred in Abu Al-Hasaniya, when officers stopped a swerving vehicle. The driver, a 28-year-old Kuwaiti citizen with a criminal record and an outstanding warrant related to drug offenses, was found in possession of two packets of narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and approximately KD 1,730 in cash. The third arrest was in Saad Al-Abdullah City, following a traffic accident report. One of the injured individuals was found to be under the influence. A search revealed two packets—one containing the drug "crystal meth" and the other a chemical substance—along with drug paraphernalia. All suspects have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation.


Arab Times
3 days ago
- Arab Times
This Brave Indian Expat's Story Will Make You Think Twice About Buying a Kuwait Visa
KUWAIT CITY, July 25: A long-term Indian resident in Kuwait has come forward with a harrowing personal account of alleged visa trading, fraud, and exploitation — revealing how he was trapped for over two years without a valid residence permit, income, or legal recourse. The man, who first arrived in Kuwait at the age of five and has lived in the country for decades, claims he became a victim of a widespread visa racket run under the guise of a legal trading company based in Farwaniya. His story begins in 2019, when he joined (M-A-A) General Trading & Contracting Co., hoping to start a small business under their commercial license. The Indian caretaker manager of the company, identified as A.K, allegedly struck a deal with him and several others — offering use of the company license in exchange for fees. But what began as a business arrangement quickly turned into a financial trap. "He took money from us — for salaries, stamping, insurance, office rent — but never gave receipts or proper documentation. We trusted him because of his age and his promises," the expat recalled." He and three others signed agreements, but they were never registered with the Chamber of Commerce. When asked to involve the Kuwaiti owner, the manager reportedly dismissed the request and assured them there was no reason to worry. The Pandemic Turned Exploitation Into a Full-Blown Racket According to the victim, the real trouble began after the COVID-19 pandemic hit. With businesses shutting down and work drying up, A.K allegedly began openly selling visas, demanding between 500 to 1,800 Kuwaiti Dinars from desperate job seekers. 'He took KD 1,250 from me when my residence expired in August 2022. He kept my passport, told me lies, and left me jobless for two years. I was borrowing money just to eat.' He claims the manager used his access to the company bank accounts and personal documents to manipulate him and others, even making them sign fake salary receipts to keep the company's labour files active. "He had everyone's bank cards, withdrew the salary himself, and gave nothing to the workers," he alleged. 'He Held My Passport for Two Years' Perhaps the most disturbing element of the complaint is the claim that the manager deliberately withheld his passport for over two years, using it as leverage to prevent him from meeting the Kuwaiti sponsor or seeking legal protection. When he finally approached Kuwait's Public Authority of Manpower (Shoun), he managed to get in touch with the actual sponsor, who reportedly agreed to help — but by then, the passport had expired. The expat was forced to apply for an emergency passport from the Indian Embassy, incurring additional costs and months of delay. 'He told me to declare my passport lost just so he could use my residency slot to bring in someone else and collect more money. Then he mocked me for applying for the special passport,' the victim said. 'Nothing Was Done' – Call for Accountability Although the company's file was eventually closed and the victim was released from sponsorship in October 2024, he says no further action was taken against the company or its manager. 'Shoun closed the file. What about the bank account? What about the money taken from others?' He claims that even today, visa trading continues from the same office located in Farwaniya, near Metro Cinema. The company board still reads the company name, and the same Indian manager is allegedly still operating there. 'How Many More Will Be Cheated?' The whistleblower says he aims to warn others (particularly new expats) who are lured by promises of legal residency and a better life, only to find themselves trapped in a system with little oversight and almost no justice. 'There are many such offices in Farwaniya, Jleeb, Fahaheel, and Mangaf. Reputed Kuwaiti names on the board, but inside it's a racket run by greedy managers. Why is there no audit? No punishment?' He has called for stricter regulation of company sponsorships, transparency in labour transactions, and urgent action against visa trading, which remains a criminal offense under Kuwaiti law.

Kuwait Times
4 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Police foil attempt to smuggle 4m Captagon pills into Kuwait
Police foil attempt to smuggle 4m Captagon pills into Kuwait KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior said Wednesday that agents of the criminal investigations sector were able to foil an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of psychostimulant substance worth KD 12 million (nearly USD 39.35 million) into Kuwait. The seizure, amounting to four million Captagon (fenethylline) pills, was hidden in an unconventional way inside water treatment pipes, according to a statement from the Ministry's General Directorate of Security Relations and Media. The security clampdown took place under supervision of First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah and in cooperation with the General Administration of Customs and Kuwait Fire Force. Acting on tips, the security services arranged with the customs authorities to facilitate the entry of the consignment into Kuwait, kept watching the route it took, and then arrested one of culprits red-handed. The main culprit is abroad and the Kuwaiti authorities are in contact with the authorities of the country he is residing in as a prelude to a legal action against him, the statement noted. The consignment took a tricky route before arriving in Kuwait; it was smuggled to an Arab country and to a European one before its final destination, the statement said. The Ministry of interior appreciated the cooperation with the anti-drug agencies of the concerned countries that led to the successful clampdown. — KUNA