Baghdad: Arab media and circles reported, on Saturday, that the Saudi authorities took legal measures against a number of Saudi fans, violators due to what it described as "publishing and republishing sectarian content offensive to a brotherly country," following the match between the Iraqi and Saudi national teams in the final round of the Asian play-off for the 2026 World Cup, which ended in a goalless draw and the Saudi national team qualified directly to the World Cup, while the Iraqi national team remained on the list of teams participating in the two rounds of the new play-off.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, The actions against the fans were initiated in response to the dissemination of content deemed offensive and sectarian in nature, targeting Iraq, which Saudi authorities classified as a "brotherly country."

The match, which concluded without any goals, saw Saudi Arabia securing a direct spot in the 2026 World Cup, leaving Iraq to continue its journey in the play-off rounds. The Saudi authorities' decision to act against the fans highlights a commitment to maintaining diplomatic decorum and addressing any actions that could potentially harm international relations.

The nature of the offensive content and the specifics of the legal measures taken by the Saudi authorities have not been detailed in the reports. However, the incident underscores the sensitivity surrounding sports events and the conduct expected from fans, especially when national pride and international relations are at stake.