The Asian football governing body of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has imposed a financial penalty on Johor Darul Ta’zim following a case of team misconduct during a match against Al Ahli Saudi, in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 Quarter-Finals at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, on 17 April 2026.
According to the official AFC disciplinary report, seven players of JDT were sanctioned by the referee during the match. The case falls under Article 53 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code, which addresses team misconduct.
The AFC confirmed that the accumulation of sanctions triggered disciplinary proceedings, resulting in financial punishment for the Malaysian champions.
JDT have been fined USD7,000 for the offence, with the ruling also referencing Article 3.1 of the AFC Disciplinary Circular for the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26.
The governing body further stated that the fine must be settled within 30 days from the date of official notification, in line with Article 11.3 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code.
The incident highlights the intensity and pressure surrounding fixtures at the AFC Champions League Elite level, where discipline on and off the pitch is closely monitored.
For JDT, one of Southeast Asia’s most dominant clubs, the sanction serves as a reminder of the strict regulatory framework enforced by the AFC in elite continental competitions.
Credit Photo : AFC
