UAE player sent home ahead of Asian Games

Kuala Lumpur: UAE Under-23 midfielder Mohammad Khalfan Al Harasi has been sent home ahead of the Asian Games for sparking a mass brawl during his side’s friendly against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

The UAE FA apologised to their Malaysian counterparts, while the Al Ain player claimed he reacted violently because an opponent spat on him. The UAE open their Asian Games campaign against Syria at the Jalak Harupat Stadium in Soreang, Indonesia, on Tuesday, before playing East Timor on Thursday and China on Sunday.