Overview
- Al Sadd said Roberto Mancini cannot get back to Qatar in time due to regional travel disruption and will miss Friday’s match against Umm Salal.
- Assistant coach Sergio Alegre will lead the team for the Qatar Stars League fixture as the club works to arrange Mancini’s return.
- The club noted Mancini’s departure was pre‑planned after the first leg of the AFC Champions League Elite for a family medical matter.
- West-region AFC Champions League Elite matches, including Al Sadd’s tie with Al Hilal, have been postponed with new dates to be confirmed.
- It remains unclear if Mancini will be available for Tuesday’s game against Al Arabi, and Al Sadd hold a four-point lead with five matches remaining.