Roger Ibanez says Al Ahli supporters ‘played against’ their own team in Riyadh victory

Roger Ibanez criticised Al Ahli supporters after their side’s 5-0 victory over Riyadh in the Roshn Saudi League, saying the fans’ reaction to midfielder Artem Bondarenko made it feel as though they were playing against the team.

Al Ahli secured a convincing win at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium on Friday evening in the fifth round of the competition. However, the result was overshadowed by the Brazilian defender’s comments about the supporters’ treatment of Bondarenko.

“The situation is good and Al Ahli are fine, but the only thing I can talk about is the fans,” Ibanez said in comments reported by Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat.

“We fight for the team inside the pitch, all together, and that is what we do on the pitch. But when the fans are not behind us and our supporters start booing, that is not good for us.”

Ibanez added that the supporters had traditionally been an important source of encouragement for the team, but said their conduct during the match had been different.

“As I said, they always support us and I hope they stay with us. I have said before that they are the 12th player on the pitch, but today they played against us,” he said.

The comments referred to the persistent jeering aimed at Bondarenko, the Ukraine international midfielder who joined Al Ahli from Shakhtar Donetsk. The boos began at the start of the match and continued until the final whistle, despite Al Ahli establishing a commanding lead.

Ibanez had already shown his frustration at half-time. He was seen expressing his displeasure as he left the field, with Al Ahli 3-0 ahead, because the supporters were continuing to jeer Bondarenko.

The Ukrainian’s arrival had been unpopular with sections of the Al Ahli fanbase before the transfer was completed. Supporters had previously launched a campaign calling on the club not to sign him, arguing that the team needed a stronger midfielder.

Despite that opposition, Al Ahli proceeded with the deal. The transfer increased the pressure on the club’s former Portuguese sporting director, Rui Pedro Braz, who became a particular target of the supporters’ anger.

Braz left his position on Thursday, one day before Al Ahli’s emphatic win over Riyadh.

Ibanez’s intervention means the controversy surrounding Bondarenko’s signing has continued even after Al Ahli’s biggest result of the season so far. The defender’s remarks also underline the tension between the team and supporters, who he said should provide backing rather than opposition during matches.