Bahrain Footballer Sayed Baqer Banned For Ten Matches After Racist Gesture

FIFA has charged the defender with "discriminatory behaviour" and fined him

Bahrain footballer Sayed Baqer banned for ten matches after racist gesture

FIFA has banned Bahrain defender Sayed Baqer (right) for ten matches for having made a racist gesture.  ARIM JAAFAR/AFP/Getty Images

FIFA has banned Bahrain defender Sayed Baqer for ten matches for having made a racist gesture at the end of a World Cup qualifying match against Hong Kong.

Baqer made a 'slitty eye' gesture at the local Hong Kong supporters at the conclusion of the 0-0 draw on November 14.

The incident was captured on camera from the stands as the players left the field and the footage was posted on Twitter.

The 25-year-old was charged with "discriminatory behaviour" and, as well as his match ban, was hit with a fine of 30,000 Swiss francs ($30,500).

Football's world governing body announced in July that it was doubling its minimum ban for anyone found guilty of racist behaviour to 10 matches.

Baqer, a defender, plays for Al-Nasr in Kuwait and made his senior international debut on October 7, 2016 in a 3-1 friendly win over Philippines.

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