UAE heel-kick penalty 'star' escapes sanction

UAE international Theyab Awana won’t be punished despite national team coaches and officials slamming him for backheeling a penalty in the 7-2 friendly win over Lebanon on Sunday.

Awana became an online sensation with his unconventional spot kick in the rout but the act drew criticism from UAE boss Srecko Katanec and team manager Esmaeel Rashed who labelled it “disrespectful”.

The friendly was UAE’s final warm-up game before they begin their 2014 World Cup qualification campaign with a clash against India on Saturday.

Katanec and Rashed had threatened to suspend Awana ahead of the crucial qualifier but it has now been decided the player will be available for selection as he was repentant for his act.

“The player will continue with the team. Everything is fine, there is no division between him and the team or him and his team-mates,” Rashed told 'Sport360', before indicating Awana could still be fined.

“The decision on the player’s punishment will be left up to the coach.”

The player, who was given a yellow card for his actions and immediately substituted by Katanec during the game, has publicly apologised.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.