Muharraq Win Reversed By BFA

TDT | Manama

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Muharraq have been stripped of their victory over Manama in the Nasser bin Hamad Premier League after fielding Mohammed Al Banna despite the player not being included on their official match list.

The Bahrain Football Association's Disciplinary Committee ruled that the defending champions would forfeit the Matchweek Three encounter 3-0 and also fined the club BD1000.

Al Banna came on as a substitute despite his name not appearing on the team sheet submitted to the match commissioner or referee, in breach of competition regulations.

The Red Wolves had initially won the September 10 fixture 3-1, with Arthur Rezende opening the scoring before Zachary Al Hadji equalised. Juninho then struck twice in the second half to seal what had appeared to be Muharraq's first victory of the campaign.

Following the ruling, newly promoted Manama are instead credited with their first win of the season, having drawn their opening match before losing their second.

The match had come after a difficult start to Muharraq's title defence, with the champions collecting just one point from their opening two games, prompting the departure of Bahraini coach Isa Al Sandoor.

Mohammed Adnan Ayoub subsequently took charge on an interim basis before the club appointed Portuguese tactician Helder Cristovao as their new head coach.