Post by : Maya Rahman

FIFA has officially called off the third-place playoff of the Arab Cup between the UAE and Saudi Arabia in Doha, following severe weather disruptions that rendered play unsafe.

Held at Khalifa International Stadium, heavy rainfall began to saturate the pitch during the match, leading to hazardous conditions for players. As the rain intensified, the surface became excessively slippery, raising injury concerns and making fair play uncertain.

Officials promptly suspended the match to evaluate the conditions, while ground staff worked to manage the waterlogged pitch. However, persistent rain rendered any efforts futile. After a thorough assessment and discussions with match officials, FIFA decided that resuming play was unfeasible under the circumstances.

Before the cancellation, the first half had concluded with a score of 0-0, as both teams struggled to adapt to the worsening conditions. The match was characterized by a competitive spirit, but the weather hindered any goal-scoring opportunities as rain fell heavier toward the half's end.

FIFA stressed that player safety was the primary concern leading to the match's cancellation. With no signs of weather improvement and no viable options to reschedule, the governing body annulled the fixture entirely. This decision brought an unexpected conclusion to the showdown between these two rival teams and marked an uncommon weather-related cancellation in the tournament's history.

Both teams showed understanding regarding the decision, recognizing that the extreme weather made continuing the match impractical despite the organizers' best efforts.

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