Doha, April 19 (QNA) - In a dramatic turn of events in the Doha Bank Stars League, the Disciplinary Committee of the Qatar Football Association (QFA) has awarded Al Shamal a 3-0 victory over Qatar SC following their postponed Round 17 clash.

The committee confirmed in an official statement that Al Shamal's protest was accepted both procedurally and substantively, overturning the original result, -which had seen Qatar SC win 2-0, and imposing a fine of QAR 10,000 on the club. The decision was based on Article 15 of the league's regulations governing the participation of foreign professional players.

According to the ruling, Qatar SC breached the rules by fielding Argentine defender Marco Ruso in the second half as a substitute for Ahmed Al Rawi. This came after Tunisian defender Ali Saoudi was sent off in first-half stoppage time. The regulations clearly state that only six foreign players may participate in a match, with no provision allowing a replacement foreign player for one who has been sent off.

The initial result had handed Al Sadd SC the league title with 42 points, as Al Shamal remained on 37. However, the revised outcome lifts Al Shamal to 40 points, throwing the title race wide open ahead of the final round. Al Shamal can now clinch their first-ever league title with a win over Al Sadd.

In response to the heightened stakes, the Qatar Stars League has rescheduled all six final round matches to be played simultaneously on April 27, ensuring fairness across the title race, top-four battle, and relegation fight.

Under QFA regulations, the team finishing 12th will be relegated directly to the Second Division, while the 11th-placed side will face a playoff against the Second Division runner-up for a spot in next season's top flight. (QNA)