2 UAE players expelled from national team after match with Uzbekistan

The United Arab Emirates Football Association has suspended two national team players and fined them each 500,000 dirhams (approximately 136,000 US dollars). The decision was announced on June 8 by the UAE Football Association.

The disciplinary action was taken against 21-year-old Sultan Adil (Shabab Al-Ahli) and 28-year-old Khalid Ibrahim (Sharjah) due to inappropriate behavior during the national team's training camp. Both players were also suspended for five matches in domestic competitions.

"The UAE Football Association's disciplinary committee has decided to suspend Sharjah player Khalid Ibrahim and Shabab Al-Ahli player Sultan Adil from domestic competitions for five matches and fine them each 500,000 dirhams," the statement read.

The specific nature of the violations has not been disclosed.

For reference, the UAE national team failed to secure a top-two finish in their group during the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. As a result, they will compete in the fourth round. On June 5, the UAE played to a draw with Uzbekistan in Abu Dhabi, allowing Uzbekistan and Iran to qualify directly from the group.

The UAE national team is scheduled to play its next match on June 10 in Bishkek against Kyrgyzstan.