Nasser Al-Shamrani, who faces a ban for spitting at Matthew Spiranovic, involved in clash with Saudi fan
CONTROVERSIAL Saudi Arabia striker Nasser Al-Shamrani has been filmed hitting one of his own country’s fans ahead of an Asian Cup friendly in Geelong.
NASSER Al-Shamrani, who outraged Australia and received an eight game ban for headbutting and spitting at Matthew Spiranovic, has had an angry physical clash with a Saudi Arabia fan in Geelong.
Al-Shamrani was filmed whacking a Saudi fan across the head before Tuesday night’s 4-1 friendly match loss to Bahrain at Simons Stadium.
The Al-Hilal forward, named Asian Player of the Year despite his ugly behaviour in the Asian Champions League final loss to Western Sydney Wanderers, was insulted by the fan as soon as he emerged from the tunnel, sources say.
It’s believed the fan is a supporter of a rival Saudi club and insulted a member of Al-Shamrani’s family to provoke the attack.
Al-Shamrani hit the fan across the head while the incident was recorded by another fan. Video of the incident has received more than 1 million plays on YouTube.
The player and fan then traded obscenities and the fan later complained to Saudi team officials about Al-Shamrani’s response.
Al-Shamrani might have expected a rough reception down under following the ACL behaviour, but not from his own country’s fans.
Al-Shamrani makes a return to the Wanderers’ home ground at Parramatta on Sunday for a pre-Asia Cup friendly against South Korea.