In an unusual refereeing incident during the Qatari Cup, international referee Salman Falahi was unable to continue officiating the match between Al-Arabi and Al-Shahaniya, which took place on Friday, February 13. Falahi signaled his sudden feeling of exhaustion in the 60th minute of the game, prompting immediate attention. The Qatari Football Association shared a video on social media showing Falahi's gesture to indicate his incapacity to ref further in the match.

Upon confirming his inability to continue, Falahi handed over the officiating duties to fourth referee Nasser Ayash, who stepped in as an emergency substitute amid applause from both the fans and players. This event highlights the pressures referees face in professional sports, especially in high-stakes competitions such as the Emir Cup. The quick transition ensured that the match continued without further disruption.

Al-Arabi advanced to the quarterfinals of the Emir Cup after defeating Al-Shahaniya 2-0. The team managed to secure a strong lead early in the match, ending the first half with a two-goal advantage thanks to goals from Rodrigo Sanchez and Al-Hashmi Al-Hussein. Despite the situation concerning referee Falahi, the match concluded without further incident, underscoring the importance of preparation and support for all officials in the sport.