Khamis punished after Champions League red card

Al Ahli's Salmin Khamis has been hit with a three-game domestic ban after he was red-carded in the AFC Champions League final -- an incident which left the furious defender wrestling with officials pitchside.

The fuming Khamis saw red in more ways than one when he was sent off for an apparent stamp, and then had to be restrained by a group of officials as he fought to get back on the field.

Khamis had earlier been nutmegged by Guangzhou Evergrande striker Elkeson for the two-legged final's only goal, which was enough for the Chinese team to seal their second Asian title in three years.

An Asian Football Confederation (AFC) statement posted late on Wednesday added that Al Ahli's Abdulaziz Haikal, who missed the second leg after being sent off in the first, would also be suspended for one domestic match.

There was better news for Al Ahli on Sunday, when the Dubai club's top striker Ahmed Khalil was named Asian player of the year at an awards show in Gurgaon, India.

Last year's winner, Al Hilal forward Nassir Al Shamrani, received his award but was banned for eight Champions League matches shortly afterwards for spitting and head-butting in the final.

Photo Caption: Salmin Khamis (L) of the UAE's Al Ahli is restrained on the sidelines after being shown the red card during their AFC Champions League final match against China's Guangzhou Evergrande, in Guangzhou. AFP