AFC bans Ismael Bennacer and Crysencio Summerville for three matches after Al Hilal-Al Gharafa clash

Ismael Bennacer and Crysencio Summerville have each been suspended for three AFC Champions League Elite matches after being sent off during Al Hilal’s meeting with Al Gharafa.

The AFC has also fined both players $2,000 following the confrontation, according to Saudi journalist Khalid Al-Dosari.

Al Hilal defeated Al Gharafa 2-1 in the match, which took place at Kingdom Arena in the middle of last month during the opening round of the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite.

The incident occurred in the 33rd minute, when Bennacer, the Algerian midfielder representing the Qatari club, and Summerville, the Dutch winger of Al Hilal, became involved in an altercation. Both players received straight red cards.

Al-Dosari reported on 8 October 2026 that the AFC had imposed three-match suspensions on both players and had ordered each to pay a $2,000 fine because of the events during the fixture.

The punishment means Summerville will miss Al Hilal’s next three matches in the competition. He will be unavailable for the games against Qatari clubs Al Sadd and Al Shamal, as well as the meeting with Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates.

Bennacer will also sit out his club’s next three AFC Champions League Elite fixtures. Al Gharafa are due to face Iran’s Esteghlal, Saudi Arabia’s Al Qadsiah and Iraq’s Al Quwa Al Jawiya during that period.

Al Hilal are third in the West group with three points, while Al Gharafa are 11th without a point.