Egyptian footballer Ramadan Sobhi wrecked havoc Thursday night during the Egyptian Super Cup game between rivals Al-Ahly and Zamalek in the UAE's Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
Toward the end of the match, which Al-Ahly won 3-2 after losing the Egyptian Cup to Zamalek, the Ahly winger engaged in showboating when he skillfully stood on top of the ball during play, which was seen by Zamalek's players as an action intended to provoke them.
The trouble-making move angered Zamalek's players, leading to clashes between the two teams on the pitch that saw Spanish referee Carlos Carballo retreat from the game, leaving the two teams to battle it out on their own until their coaches intervened.
"He did it this time in the crowds' face. Ramadan, you're a provocateur, keep provoking them more and more."
The game, which was suspended for about 10 minutes until the scuffle was dispersed, was almost canceled due to the player's behavior, but as Sobhi was immediately substituted after the fight was over, the match was able to be finished.
Thursday's move was not the first time the 18-year-old made a scene during an Ahly and Zamalek game. The player also stood on top of the ball in the same manner in the middle of an Egyptian league match in July which led to him being kicked by a Zamalek player on the pitch.
However, this time Sobhi's showboating did not go unpunished as Al-Ahly's interim coach Abdel-Aziz Abdel-Shafy said that the player would be fined for his behavior during a news conference after Thursday's match.
Despite the striker's behavior being considered inappropriate, Al-Ahly's fans celebrated his showboating and their team's victory on social media as they sarcastically mocked Zamalek on the trending Arabic hashtags "Ramadan is a provocateur" and "Ramadan didn't do anything wrong."
Popular Egyptian band Cairokee's lead vocalist Amir Eid joined the conversation defending Sobhi as he said : "Since when is standing on the ball shameful and insulting to the opponent? You can stand on the ball just like him. The man didn't break any laws."
Despite the disruptive events, Sobhi seemed unfazed after the match as he celebrated the victory. When asked by an annoyed TV presenter to comment on what had happened, he said "I just want to say a couple of words, Al-Ahly's players have always been real men and will always be real men no matter what happens, that's it."
"The person who put this photo together is awesome."
"Your skill annoys them. Keep going, minister of stands."