QSL title race thrown open after Al Shamal awarded 3–0 win

The Qatar Stars League title race has been dramatically reignited after Al Shamal were handed a 3‑0 victory over Qatar SC, overturning their original 2‑0 defeat. The club successfully protested the match, arguing that Qatar SC had breached regulations by introducing an additional foreign player after Tunisia’s Ali Saodi was sent off shortly before half‑time. Under Article 15 of the Players’ Status Regulations, teams reduced to five foreign players following a dismissal cannot replace a Qatari or resident player with another foreign professional.

The Disciplinary Committee upheld Al Shamal’s complaint, meaning Al Sadd’s presumed title win is no longer valid. The championship will now be settled on April 27, when Al Sadd host Al Shamal with only two points separating the sides. What had seemed a straightforward conclusion to the season has transformed into a high‑stakes finale, with the ruling injecting fresh tension into the final round of the QSL campaign.