This archive report was first published on 6 August 2020.
On August 6, 2020, Qatar's Football Association issued a statement announcing fines and warnings to several top players and staff for breaching coronavirus rules.
Former Barcelona star Xavi Hernandez, who is the head coach of Qatari side Al-Sadd, revealed in late July that he had contracted COVID-19, but just days later claimed he had returned home and to work.
The penalty, which included an official warning from the league, was due to 'non-compliance with the Ministry of Public Health's safety protocols, including breaching a home quarantine pledge signed by him', according to the statement.
Al-Sadd players Hammam al-Amin and Abdul Karim Hassan also faced fines of 10,000 riyals ($2,700) and warnings from the QFA's disciplinary committee, as did players and staff from several other Qatari teams.
The sanctions came as Qatar's Football League resumed competition on July 24 with strict social distancing rules, routine testing of players and staff, and a ban on media attendance.
Matches had been halted in March to stem the spread of COVID-19, and the country had implemented a two-week mandatory quarantine period for those returning to Qatar at the height of the pandemic.
