According to Goal.com, Khalid Al-Mugren, chairman of the Gulf Football Federation Competitions Committee, denied that Oman had prior knowledge of the draw results that led to their qualification.

Oman defeated Kuwait 3-1, while Iraq lost 0-2 to Saudi Arabia in their final Group A match. As both teams were level on goals scored, points, and fair play criteria, a draw was held to determine qualification for the Gulf 27 semi-finals, with Oman ultimately advancing.

Oman player Musab Al-Shaksi received a yellow card for removing his shirt while celebrating his third goal, which gave Iraq renewed hope of qualifying. Al-Mugren stated that the Competitions Committee reviewed the match report after the game and confirmed with representatives from both countries that each team had received eight yellow cards.

Al-Mugren denied claims that Oman knew they had qualified at the end of the match and that the draw was conducted afterwards. He stated: "That didn't happen, Oman wasn't informed, and their celebration for qualifying was their own business." These remarks were relayed by Al-Riyadh newspaper's social media account.

Al-Mugren said: "The qualification criteria and rules were announced before the start of the tournament, and in such cases, it is decided by a draw."

Regarding the transparency of the draw, Al-Mugren told Al Kass TV: "We allowed representatives from Iraq and Oman to inspect the balls used in the draw to show transparency, because we have nothing to hide."

He also stated that this was the first time such a situation had occurred in the history of the Gulf Cup, but everything was conducted according to the rules. World rankings were not a criterion for qualification in this instance.

Regarding Iraq's questioning of the draw, Al-Mugren said: "I know nothing about it."

He concluded: "The Competitions Committee has nothing to do with yellow cards; that is the referee's responsibility. Players must be more aware that fair play is a very important factor in football." He noted that similar situations had occurred in other tournaments before.

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