On September 5 (CEST), in Saudi League Round 5, Al Ahli defeated Al Riyadh 5-0. After the match, Ivan Toney gave an interview and strongly defended teammate Bondarenko, who had been booed by the home supporters.

Toney stated: "We led 3-0 at halftime, and it's very important that the fans support us.

"I felt the fans kept booing a specific player, and I don't understand it. He (Bondarenko) hasn't done anything wrong; he came here and is part of this family. It's very important that we all stay united and support each other.

"You can't boo a player and expect him to perform well. I don't understand that. He's in a different country and is still young, facing a lot of pressure. We support him; we're united, and that's what a family should do."

Toney was referring to Ukrainian midfielder Bondarenko, who joined Al Ahli from Shakhtar Donetsk this summer. Throughout the match, from the opening whistle to the final whistle, there were boos directed at him.

Al Ahli fans had previously expressed dissatisfaction with this signing. When the club was preparing to sign the Ukrainian player, supporters launched a boycott campaign against the deal, believing the team needed a better midfield option. However, the club ultimately completed the transfer.

The signing angered fans, with much of that anger directed at the club's former Portuguese sports director, Rui Pedro Braz. He resigned on Thursday.

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【Al Ahli sacks director Pedro; his expensive signings and exorbitant wages angered fans】

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