Houssem Aouar explains absence after hospitalisation amid Al-Ittihad defeat

Concerns were raised over Houssem Aouar’s condition after the Al-Ittihad Club midfielder was ruled out through illness and later hospitalised, missing the club’s heavy 1-5 defeat to Al-Qadsiah FC in the Saudi Pro League.

The Algerian international had already been absent from training in the days leading up to the match, with questions growing over his availability during a critical stage of the season for the Jeddah-based side.

In an official medical update issued on Wednesday, a day before the fixture, Al-Ittihad confirmed that the former AS Roma midfielder was suffering from tonsillitis accompanied by a high fever.

The club added that his condition required hospital treatment before he was discharged to continue recovery at home under medical supervision.

Following the announcement, Aouar addressed the situation directly through a statement shared on his social media accounts, seeking to clarify the circumstances surrounding his absence and respond to speculation.

The 26-year-old explained that he had still taken part in the previous match against Al-Shabab FC despite already being unwell, saying he played while experiencing fever due to the importance of the fixture at that stage of the campaign.

However, he added that his condition deteriorated significantly afterwards, leading to his hospitalisation and preventing him from training or featuring in the subsequent game.

Aouar also moved to stress his commitment to the club amid growing scrutiny, highlighting his professionalism and dedication during a demanding period of the season.

He insisted on his respect for Al-Ittihad, its supporters and the city of Jeddah, aiming to put an end to speculation regarding his absence.

“I have never shirked my responsibilities,” he stated, reinforcing his position as he addressed the situation publicly.

The midfielder’s clarification comes at a difficult moment for Al-Ittihad, with the team under pressure in the closing stages of the season and his absence further compounding their challenges on the pitch.