Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabian midfielder Mohamed Kanno could face an extended suspension after reports confirmed that the match referee included details of the player’s unsporting conduct in his official report following an explosive red card incident.
Kanno, a key player for the Green Falcons, was sent off barely a minute after coming on as a substitute in Saudi Arabia’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Indonesia in the AFC World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Initial reports from Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiah indicate that Kuwaiti referee Ahmed Al-Ali noted the specific action that led to the dismissal in his official report, which will be reviewed by the AFC Disciplinary Committee.
The Fastest Red
The incident occurred after Kanno entered the match in the 89th minute. Moments later, he received a quick yellow card for alleged time-wasting when delaying a throw-in. Enraged by the decision, the Al-Hilal star reportedly approached the referee with an “inappropriate protest,” prompting Al-Ali to immediately issue a second yellow card followed by a red.
Press reports suggest Kanno may have verbally abused the referee, potentially asking: “Are you crazy?”
Refereeing analyst Tawfiq Al-Sayed, speaking to the Saudi newspaper Al-Yaum, supported the official’s decision, stating that the initial yellow card for time-wasting was correct, as was the subsequent dismissal for the inappropriate reaction.
Kanno is already confirmed to miss the upcoming crucial qualifier against Iraq, but the AFC Disciplinary Committee’s review of the referee’s detailed report could lead to a heavier disciplinary action for unsporting behavior towards a match official.
