Causing Jordan's Loss: How Abu Leila's 'Idealism' Fell in the Honorary Corridor
Controversy over Yazid Abu Leila's actions in the Arab Cup final after criticizing Salem Al-Dawsari.
SUMMARY
Jordan goalkeeper Yazid Abu Leila sparked controversy after criticizing Saudi captain Salem Al-Dawsari and the behavior of Jordanian players in the honorary corridor after the Arab Cup final, where some players refused to shake the Moroccan coach's hand, provoking widespread reactions.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Yazid Abu Leila criticizes Salem Al-Dawsari for lack of humility during the pre-match handshake.
- Video footage denies the claim of deliberate ignoring between players of both teams.
- Jordanian players refused to shake hands with Moroccan coach Al-Saktawi in the honorary corridor after the final.
- The Arab Cup final ended with Morocco defeating Jordan 3-2 after extra time.
CORE SUBJECT
Controversy over Yazid Abu Leila's behavior in the Arab Cup final
Forty-eight hours after Jordan national team goalkeeper Yazid Abu Leila criticized Saudi Arabia captain Salem Al-Dawsari following the match in which the "Green Falcons" lost 1-0 to Jordan in the Arab Cup semi-final, stating that Al-Dawsari did not show enough humility during the pre-match handshake ceremony, Abu Leila said at the press conference: "I send a message to Salem Al-Dawsari and hope for humility from him. He is a great player, but the way the handshake was done before the match was not appropriate." However, these statements received widespread reaction after a video clip circulated showing a natural handshake between players of both teams before the match, including Salem Al-Dawsari, which many considered a denial of the claim of deliberate ignoring.
Despite Abu Leila causing his national team to lose after Morocco's first goal, which came from "Osama Tnan" at just 3:35 minutes into the game with a wonderful shot from 59 meters, he refused to speak to the media and left the area without explaining his position on the goal or the behavior of his teammates Hussam Abu Al-Dahab and Salem Obeid. Footage showed Moroccan coach "Al-Saktawi" attempting to shake their hands, but the latter continued on to the podium without interaction. This moment sparked wide controversy after the Arab Cup final between Morocco and Jordan, which ended with the "Atlas Lions" winning 3-2 after extra time. Moroccan players stood in an honorary corridor to console the Jordanian players, led by Al-Saktawi himself, who initiated this gesture in appreciation of the "Nashama" team's journey in the tournament, according to a report broadcast by the "RT" website. However, cameras captured a notable moment where two Jordanian players, Hussam Abu Al-Dahab and Salem Obeid, refused to shake Al-Saktawi's hand as they passed through, with footage showing Al-Saktawi attempting to shake Abu Al-Dahab's hand before the latter continued to the podium without interaction.
KEYWORDS
MENTIONED ENTITIES 9
Yazid Abu Leila
👤 Person_MaleGoalkeeper of the Jordan national team
Salem Al-Dawsari
👤 Person_MaleCaptain of the Saudi national football team
Jordan national team
🏛️ OrganizationJordan's national football team
Saudi national team
🏛️ OrganizationSaudi Arabia's national football team
Morocco national team
🏛️ OrganizationMorocco's national football team
Al-Saktawi
👤 Person_MaleCoach of the Morocco national football team
Hussam Abu Al-Dahab
👤 Person_MalePlayer in the Jordan national team
Salem Obeid
👤 Person_MalePlayer in the Jordan national team
Osama Tnan
👤 Person_MalePlayer who scored Morocco's first goal against Jordan
NOTABLE QUOTES 1
"I send a message to Salem Al-Dawsari and hope for humility from him. He is a great player, but the way the handshake was done before the match was not appropriate."
Context: Statements at the press conference after the Arab Cup semi-final match between Jordan and Saudi Arabia