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Saudi Arabia’s World Cup hero was sent off and fined for trying to headbutt referee
Saudi Arabia's World Cup hero was sent off and fined for trying to headbutt referee,Salem Aldawsari was the talk of the town after he netted Saudi Arabia's winner against Argentina - but he was once known for different reasons after he tried to headbutt a ref

Saudi Arabia’s World Cup hero was sent off and fined for trying to headbutt referee

Salem Aldawsari wrote himself into World Cup folk law on Tuesday morning when he looped the ball past Emiliano Martinez to help Saudi Arabia shock the world.

The Gulf State claimed the scalp of pre-tournament favourites in one of the all-time World Cup surprise wins. And Aldawsari was at the heart of the win, netting the winning goal with still 30 minutes left on the clock.

And despite being the toast of the Kingdom on Tuesday evening, Aldawsari was once public enemy No.1. Saudi Arabia's new hero once shrouded himself in shame after he attempted to headbutt a referee.

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During a particularly heated Riyadh derby in 2015, Aldawsari was so incensed a foul on him hadn't been given, he attempted to headbutt the referee.

Scotsman John Beaton immediately brandished a red card, causing a furious Aldawsari to square up to him for a second time. The Saudi Arabian had to be dragged away by his team-mates, who had a problem getting him off the field.

Scotland’s referees' union called for severe punishment: Aldawsari was slapped with a fine of months' salary and banned for six months.

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Salem Aldawsari was banned for six months as a result of the incident
Salem Aldawsari was banned for six months as a result of the incident

Saudi Arabia will now hold real hope they can qualify from their group with one more point putting them in a position to sneak through – especially after Mexico and Poland drew later in the afternoon.

The Saudis will now face Poland on Saturday (26 November) before they round off their group-stage fixtures with a clash against Mexico.

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