Qatar player banned after social media post during World Cup

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Qatar defender Abdelkarim Hassan has been handed an indefinite suspension by the country’s soccer federation reportedly following an altercation with a fan over social media. Qatari media reported that Hassan responded to a complaint on SnapChat about Qatar losing a game during the World Cup the emirate hosted late last year by posting, “Relax, do you think it’s war?” Hassan was also deducted 50% of his salary, fined 200,000 Qatari riyals and issued a warning by the Qatar Football Association. Two more national-team players — Bassam al-Rawi, and Mohamed Waad — were fined 100,000 and 50,000 Qatari riyals, respectively, while both had their salaries deducted by 50%. No reasons were disclosed for those sanctions.