Bizarre scenes as team takes to field for match against Aussie coach’s side… who weren’t even in the country

Australian head coach Arthur Papas found himself caught up in an extraordinary football controversy after Al-Ettifaq failed to appear for a Gulf Club Champions League match in Iraq.

In bizarre scenes on Thursday (AEDT), Iraqi side Erbil took to the field alongside the match officials for the scheduled fixture, despite their opponents not even being in the country.

With Saudi outfit Al-Ettifaq nowhere to be seen, the referee eventually brought proceedings to an end without a ball being kicked, leaving Erbil to claim a 3-0 victory.

The circumstances followed Al-Ettifaq’s unsuccessful attempt to postpone the Champions League match, with the Saudi Pro League club confirming beforehand they would not travel to Iraq amid security concerns in the region that have raised doubts over the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Ettifaq, coached by former Newcastle Jets and Cerezo Osaka boss Papas, revealed the Saudi Arabian Football Federation had supported their request, but Gulf football authorities refused to reschedule the fixture.

WHAT A WEIRD SITUATION IN THE GULF CLUB CHAMPIONS LEAGUE! Al-Ettifaq were supposed to face an Iraqi club today at 5:30 PM, but THEY DIDN’T EVEN TRAVEL TO IRAQ! Al-Ettifaq released a statement saying they had explained their reasons to the Gulf Football Federation and requested a postponement, but the federation issued no response. Meanwhile, the Iraqi club and referees arrived at the stadium and took to the pitch at the scheduled kickoff time. After waiting for Al-Ettifaq, the referee blew his whistle to signal their absence, with the match expected to be awarded 3–0 TO THE IRAQI CLUB! AND NOBODY KNOWS WHAT FURTHER PUNISHMENT THE GULF FEDERATION MIGHT IMPOSE!

— All About SPL (@Saudifutbol) October 28, 2026

“Al-Ettifaq Club’s management wishes to clarify that it submitted an official request to the Gulf Football Federation to postpone the team’s match against Iraqi club Erbil, scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, as part of the Gulf Club Champions League, citing several reasons outlined in the submitted request,” the club said in a statement.

“Despite the club management’s continued efforts and follow-ups, as well as support from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, the club received a response confirming that the postponement request had been rejected and that the match would proceed at its previously scheduled time.

“Accordingly, and following coordination with the relevant authorities, Al-Ettifaq’s management confirms that the team’s delegation is unable to be present in the Iraqi city of Erbil to play the match at its scheduled time.

“The club reiterates its commitment to its request for postponement and calls upon the Gulf Football Federation to reconsider the matter in accordance with the regulations and procedures applicable in such circumstances.”

بيـان https://t.co/pQbx471KcY

— نادي الاتفاق (@Ettifaq) October 27, 2026

After the game, Erbil president Safin Yasin said: “I don’t know why they didn’t show up. Maybe they had their own private reasons.

“They made requests we didn’t agree to and the referees committee and supervisory committee have been in Erbil for a few days. They assessed the situation and the stadium was 100% ready.

“We had no issues, we showed up for the match.”

Al-Ettifaq had opened their Gulf Club Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win at home to Kazma on October 15.

Papas is in his first season with Al-Ettifaq, who are seventh in the Saudi Pro League – seven points behind Ange Postecoglou’s Al-Nassr and nine adrift of league-leading Al-Hilal.

Meanwhile, the Al-Ettifaq situation comes after Al-Nassr’s AFC Champions League Elite clash with Al-Wasl this week was postponed amid regional security concerns and travel disruptions.