Muscat: On a night that was expected to host a major sporting celebration, the Handball Super Cup final turned into one of the season’s most controversial incidents, after spectators found themselves witnessing an unusual scene: the champions crowned without a match. Oman Club were officially declared Super Cup champions after Muscat Club withdrew from the final in protest over the eligibility of Oman Club player Abdulhakim al Siyabi, who had received a blue card suspension in the previous league round.
Despite the presence of Muscat’s technical and administrative staff and players at the venue, and after completing their warm-up routines, the team decided to withdraw once they confirmed that Al Siyabi’s name was listed on Oman’s official match roster.
On the main court of Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher, and in the presence of the event patron, Shaikh Sultan bin Hamid al Hosni, Chairman of Al Khabourah Club, the officiating crew, referees Zaki Bait Faraj Allah and Waleed al Sinani, scorekeeper Sheikha al Shibli, timekeeper Sulafa al Habshi, and match supervisors Abdulridha al Shaikh and Faiz al Hinai, gave Muscat a 15-minute grace period to enter the court. The team, however, stood firm on its decision, prompting the officials to declare Oman Club the winners of the Super Cup for the third time in their history.
OHA ISSUES CLARIFICATION
Amid the escalating controversy, the Oman Handball Association released an official statement explaining that Muscat’s withdrawal was not preceded by any formal protest, neither written nor verbal, during the pre-match coordination meeting. The OHA stated that Muscat’s representative attended the meeting without submitting any objection, and that the team carried out its full warm-up before refusing to enter the court "in objection to the refereeing crew,” according to the statement.
The OHA emphasised its full respect for all officials and the decisions of the Referees Committee, which is solely responsible for assigning match officials. It also stressed that the awarding of the title followed proper regulations after granting the withdrawing team the required legal grace period. The OHA praised the sportsmanship shown by Oman Club’s players and fans and reaffirmed its commitment to fairness and equality among all clubs.
REAL CAUSE IGNORED: MUSCAT
Muscat Club issued a strongly worded statement, asserting that the real reason for the withdrawal was not the refereeing crew, as the OHA claimed, but the participation of a “disciplinarily suspended player,” referring to Abdulhakim al Siyabi. The statement said that the club president contacted the OHA chairman on the night of the match to inquire about the player’s eligibility, and was told that the player would indeed participate in an action the club described as “overstepping the authority of the Competitions Committee.”
Muscat added that they possess an official copy of the protest submitted to the OHA after the match, stressing that their actions were lawful and aimed at preserving the principles of sporting fairness. The statement called on the association to assume responsibility for what it described as a “violation of regulations” and to correct what it labelled a “misleading statement,” noting that the club would pursue the matter through legal and sporting channels.
For his part, Moosa bin Khamis al Balushi, OHA Chairman, expressed regret over the events that overshadowed the final, explaining that Muscat objected both to the player’s participation and to the refereeing crew. He reiterated that the OHA clarified that penalties do not overlap between competitions, and that the Super Cup is an independent tournament with its own regulations.
He added that the OHA expected Muscat to submit an official written protest before the match, which did not occur, noting that the Referees Committee is the only authority authorised to appoint officials and that the OHA does not interfere in its decisions. Al Balushi emphasised that the OHA deals equally with all clubs and that any club wishing to file a protest must follow the official procedures. He confirmed that disciplinary decisions related to the withdrawal will be reviewed later in accordance with the regulations.
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