05 June 2017

Riyadh-based Al Ahli Saudi Football Club has terminated its sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways, just hours after the kingdom announced it was severing ties with Doha.

“Al-Ahli announces the termination of the sponsorship contract between the club and Qatar Airways,” the club announced on its official Twitter account on Monday.

Earlier on Monday, Saudi Arabia, along with Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, severed their ties with Qatar, accusing the Gulf Arab state of supporting terrorism.

The three Gulf states announced the closure of transport ties with Qatar and gave Qatari visitors and residents two weeks to leave their countries, Reuters reported.

Qatar Airways had last month announced the renewal of its sponsorship agreement with the Saudi club.

Qatar is also set to host the World Cup 2022 and last month Qatar Airways also announced it will be the official airline of FIFA.

Qatar Airways currently operates 151 weekly flights to eight key cities in Saudi Arabia.

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