AFC fines FC Goa, Al-Nassr for breaches at Fatorda

Panaji: The disciplinary and ethics committee of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has fined FC Goa $5,000 (approx Rs 4.5 lakh) after a spectator ran on to the field and hugged Al-Nassr’s Portugal star Joao Felix during the ACL2 clash at Fatorda in October.
Wearing a yellow Al-Nassr jersey with Ronaldo at the back, the fan from Kerala jumped over the south fence and ran towards Felix, who was warming up in the second half, alongside other stars like Liverpool legend Sadio Mane and Kingsley Coman. The fan went straight to Felix, hugged the Portugal forward, and then pulled out his phone for a selfie, which the star obliged.
“FC Goa failed to fulfil its obligation to: (i) comply with and implement existing safety rules and take every safety precaution demanded by circumstances after the match; and (ii) ensure that law and order was maintained in the stadium and its immediate surroundings, as one spectator invaded the areas surrounding the field of play during the match,” the disciplinary and ethics committee said after its meeting last week.
Goa were found to be in violation of Article 64.1 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code and were ordered to settle the fine within 30 days.
Interestingly, Al-Nassr were also handed a fine of $10,000 for violating Article 22.2 of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 competition regulations for their clash against Goa at Fatorda. According to the disciplinary panel, “several individuals affiliated with Al-Nassr entered the Controlled Access Area without being in physical possession of the necessary accreditation.”
This was Al-Nassr’s second violation which invited a monetary fine.
According to sources, officials went into the competition area without accreditation cards and did not leave, despite being asked by match officials.
The Saudi Pro League giants are captained by Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and are among the favourites to win the ACL2, Asian football’s second-tier club competition. They have won all five group-stage games and qualified for the knockout stage.