JEDDAH: Madani Rahimi, a sports commentator and football analyst with ART, was suspended indefinitely for comments deemed inappropriate by the higher authorities.
The suspension came after a comment he made on ART’s sport channel, after the friendly match between Al-Ittihad and El Ismaily of Egypt that the Jeddah-based club won 4-3. He raised the issue of Ittihad team captain Muhammad Nur not being selected for the national team. The outspoken Rahimi said, “Muhammad Nur’s performance is perfect and he deserves to join the national team, unless they consider him not Saudi.” The authorities took offense at what was perceived a racist comment. Though Rahimi is yet to receive the formal suspension notice he has been told by phone by executives at ART that he will not be traveling to UAE for the Saudi-UAE World Cup Asian qualifying match today, although he was part of the coverage team. He said, “It is a beautiful feeling to stay in Jeddah in this holy month and fasting with my family.” Defending his comments, Rahimi said, “These people misunderstood my statement. What I mean was anyone following Muhammad Nur’s performance will ask why he was not with the national team. They will think that the player was not Saudi and that was why he did not join the team.”
He said Nur is a perfect player with good capabilities and many are surprised he was ruled out of the national team.
Rahimi dismissed suggestions his remarks were racist or sarcastic saying this will be the last thing he will think of.
