Jordan's Jewel Yazan Al-Naimat Injured: Serious Medical Allegations and Al-Salami's Defense

A medical controversy has erupted in Jordan after star player Yazan Al-Nuaimat suffered a serious knee injury during their Arab Cup match against Iraq. The dispute centers on whether the team doctor made the right call allowing the player back on the field, potentially worsening what turned out to be a torn ACL that will sideline him for 6-9 months.

The injury has sparked heated debate just days before Jordan faces Saudi Arabia in Monday's semifinal. An orthopedic specialist criticized team doctor Mahmoud Abu Saoud in Jordan's Al-Rai newspaper, calling it a "serious medical error" to let Al-Nuaimat return to play.

"The condition should have been diagnosed from the first moment it happened," the specialist said. He believes the injury likely started as cartilage damage before developing into a full ACL tear when the player continued playing. Medical protocols require removing players immediately when they can't safely continue, he argued.

But Jordan's Moroccan coach Jamal Al-Salami defended his medical team. He said the doctor did his job properly and recommended substituting Al-Nuaimat, but the player insisted on continuing. "The doctor examined Yazan and knew he had an injury, but you can't assess the full extent in that moment," Al-Salami explained. "Events moved quickly from there."

The timing couldn't be worse for Jordan. They're riding high after beating Iraq 1-0 through Ali Alwan's penalty to reach the semifinals, where they'll face Saudi Arabia on Monday at 9:30 PM UAE time. The Saudis advanced by defeating Palestine 2-1 in their quarterfinal.

Al-Nuaimat is one of Jordan's most important players, and his injury visibly devastated the team. Coach Al-Salami was seen crying on live television after learning the extent of the damage. The 6-9 month recovery timeline means Al-Nuaimat will miss Jordan's historic first World Cup appearance in 2026 - a qualification campaign he played a key role in achieving.

The controversy highlights the difficult split-second decisions medical staff face during high-stakes matches. While hindsight suggests Al-Nuaimat should have been immediately substituted, the pressure of a semifinal berth and the player's own determination to continue complicated the situation. Jordan now faces Saudi Arabia without their star player, but with questions lingering about whether better medical judgment could have prevented a career-defining injury.