Mohammad Samara, head of the interim committee of Ramtha Club and a member of the Jordan Football Association’s board, revealed details of efforts that helped ease the fallout from the dispute between Ramtha and national team player Hamza Al-Dardour and former national team head coach Hussein Amouta during Jordan’s match against Iraq at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, and the repercussions that followed.
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Samara said the interventions helped reduce the impact of the incident on Al-Dardour, with the player receiving only half of his financial bonuses and facing no additional penalties or suspensions. He noted that the association had to take action on the matter, adding that both Al-Dardour and Amouta shared responsibility for what happened.
In an interview with Al-Ghad’s digital program “Third Half,” hosted by colleague Khaled Al-Khattatbeh, Samara discussed several issues concerning the Jordan Football Association and its internal decision-making process. He also addressed the dismissal of the association’s secretary-general, Samar Nassar, and assessed her performance during her time in the position.
He also discussed the effectiveness of the association’s board, commenting on board members’ positions regarding the financial bonuses awarded to association administrators, which were equivalent to those received by players, and giving his opinion on the matter.
Regarding Ramtha Club, Samara disclosed that the club’s debts exceed two million dinars, with more than two-thirds of that amount owed to former club president Raed Al-Nader.
Samara also discussed the selection of foreign professional players, the appointment of Croatian head coach Radan, and how the squad was assembled at the beginning of the season following the departure of a large number of players.
He revealed that Ramtha did not incur significant costs after signing Al-Hussein Irbid players Murad Al-Falouji, Ahmad Thaer and Saif Darwish, noting that Al-Hussein Club had been paying the players’ salaries.
Professional clubs’ league to proceed without Al-Faisaly
On the steps to establish a professional clubs’ league in Jordan, Samara said the process was continuing and expected the league to be launched within just a few months.
Regarding Al-Faisaly’s withdrawal from the initiative, he said the club was a major institution, but its withdrawal would not obstruct the process of establishing the league. He added that matters were progressing well and that the withdrawal would not affect the formation process.
Salaries of the coaching staff and players
The head of Ramtha’s interim committee discussed players’ and coaches’ salaries, saying the players’ wages amounted to approximately 45,000 dinars, while the total salaries of the coaching staff stood at around 9,000 dinars.
He called on sponsors and supporters to provide assistance to the club, describing Ramtha as one of the leading clubs locally and in the Arab world.
Hamza’s retirement and Al-Laham’s dispute
Samara discussed star player Hamza Al-Dardour’s retirement, saying the club was seeking to organize a testimonial match worthy of the player’s contributions to Ramtha and Jordan’s national teams. He added that Al-Dardour continued to work as an assistant to the Croatian coach, with his leadership qualities contributing to the team.
Mohammad Samara also explained the circumstances surrounding Musab Al-Laham’s absence from the team and his request not to play in the coming period because he wished to retire. Samara acknowledged that the club had fallen short in its treatment of Al-Laham and said efforts were underway to put matters right. He described Al-Laham as an influential and distinguished player who had given a great deal to Ramtha.
Al-Faisaly are not clear favorites to win the title
Asked which team was best positioned to win the Jordanian Pro League title, Samara said the four clubs Al-Faisaly, Al-Hussein, Al-Wehdat and Ramtha were all contenders.
He said claims that Al-Faisaly were ready to win the title were inaccurate, noting that the league was still in its early stages and no team had yet established itself as a clear champion.
Source: Al-Ghad.
