Al-Shabab remove Ali Al-Bulayhi from squad after controversial Al-Hilal crest celebration;

Who, what and why it matters

Al-Shabab have removed loanee defender Ali Al-Bulayhi from their squad after he celebrated scoring in their 4-2 defeat to Al-Nassr by revealing and kissing a shin guard bearing the crest of Al-Hilal, a direct rival of Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League title race. The incident unfolded on May 8, 2026, and has immediate consequences for Al-Shabab as they prepare for upcoming fixtures, while the match itself strengthened Al-Nassr's position at the top of the table.

What happened in the match

According to the report, Al-Nassr beat Al-Shabab 4-2. Joao Felix scored a hat-trick for Al-Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo added a second-half goal that restored control during a tense phase of the game. Al-Bulayhi scored for Al-Shabab to make it 3-2 before celebrating by displaying and kissing a shin guard with Al-Hilal's crest. Joao Felix later converted a stoppage-time penalty to complete the 4-2 scoreline.

Club reaction and immediate consequences

The celebration provoked swift internal action at Al-Shabab. Reports say the club removed Al-Bulayhi from the squad in response to what it considered a disrespectful gesture toward the institution he was representing on loan. The removal reportedly sidelines him for the next three fixtures: matches against Neom, Al-Ittihad and Al-Najma (the final Saudi Pro League matchday).

Public reaction was mixed. Some observers saw the gesture as an expression of loyalty to his parent club, Al-Hilal, while others criticised it as unprofessional for a player representing Al-Shabab. Former Saudi international Fahad Al Harifi is reported to have said professionalism and respect should come first in such situations. Al-Bulayhi subsequently issued an apology stating the celebration was spontaneous and not intended to offend the club or its supporters.

Implications for the title race and squad selection

The match and the celebration had significance beyond a single game. Al-Nassr's victory, aided by Ronaldo and a hat-trick from Joao Felix, helped extend their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League over direct rivals including Al-Hilal. Al-Bulayhi's goal briefly threatened to reopen the contest, and his celebration — interpreted as a nod to Al-Hilal — added fuel to an already tense title race.

• Match result reported: Al-Nassr 4–2 Al-Shabab.
• Joao Felix reportedly scored a hat-trick; Cristiano Ronaldo scored a second-half goal.
• Ali Al-Bulayhi scored for Al-Shabab and celebrated by revealing/kissing a shin guard bearing Al-Hilal's crest.
• Al-Shabab reportedly removed Al-Bulayhi from the squad and will not select him for the next three fixtures (Neom, Al-Ittihad, Al-Najma).
• Al-Bulayhi issued an apology saying the celebration was spontaneous and not intended to offend.

What happens next

The report indicates Al-Shabab have taken internal action by removing Al-Bulayhi from the squad for upcoming matches, but it does not include an official club statement or full details of any disciplinary process. Verification from Al-Shabab, Al-Hilal, or league authorities would be needed to confirm the length and nature of any sanction and whether further penalties will follow. For Al-Nassr, the result strengthens their title bid, while Al-Shabab must now decide on short-term defensive options for the listed fixtures.