AFC Disciplinary Committee sanctions player for social media misuse

Press Release

In its first case on social media usage, the AFC Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned an individual for using offensive language on Twitter.

Thiago Neves of Al Jazira Club (UAE) was found in breach of article 57 of the AFC Disciplinary Code (2014 Edition), having published offensive tweets about the referee in connection with the AFC Champions League semi-final played on October 20, 2015 between Al Ahli and Al Hilal.

The player was fined USD25,000 and given a one match  suspension in AFC club competitions, suspended for two years. If Thiago Neves is found in breach of the AFC Disciplinary Code in the next two years, the suspension is automatically revoked and the sanction applied. A repeat violation will also lead to a more severe punishment.

Other cases the AFC Disciplinary Committee ruled on at its meeting on January 18 included Khoromkhon FC (MNG) fielding an ineligible player in the AFC Cup Play-Off Qualifiers, Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN) submitting their team sheet late in the 2015 AFC Champions League and Al Ahli (UAE) fans’ pitch invasion, also in the ACL in 2015. Two cases in the 2016 AFC U-16 Championship qualifying round were also on the agenda, involving a Jordan player and the coach of the Malaysia team.

The full list of the decisions can be found here (https://www.the-afc.com/uploads/afc/files/list_of_the_afcdc_decisions_18012016.pdf).

Tuesday, 26 January 2016

• AFC Champions League AFC Disciplinary Code (2014 Edition) AFC Disciplinary Committee Disciplinary Football Social Media United Arab Emirates