The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has pledged to reassess its fan code of conduct following a disturbing incident where a spectator appeared to strike a player with a whip during a match between Al Ittihad and Al Hilal at the Saudi Super Cup in Abu Dhabi.

The incident involved Al Ittihad's Abderrazak Hamdallah, who got into a confrontation with a fan in the stands after scoring a goal. Video footage shows the fan striking Hamdallah with what appears to be a whip, prompting intervention from spectators and players.

In response to the incident, SAFF and the Football Players Association of Saudi Arabia issued a joint statement condemning the behavior as "disgraceful" and emphasizing the importance of ensuring safety at matches. They described football in Saudi Arabia as a family-oriented game and expressed their commitment to maintaining a positive atmosphere.

The statement also announced plans for a comprehensive review of the spectator code of conduct, with the aim of implementing updated rules and regulations to swiftly address and prevent such incidents in the future.

Despite this incident, Saudi Arabia has been actively developing its football infrastructure and reputation on the global stage, as evidenced by its bid to host the 2034 World Cup and its efforts to attract top international players to the Saudi Pro League with lucrative salaries.