Saudi Gazette report

MOSCOW - The Organizing Committee of the World Cup has apologized on Tuesday to Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) for the malfunction of the plane carrying the Saudi national soccer team to Rostov on Monday.

In the letter, sent to Dr. Adel Ezzat, chairman of the board of directors of SAFF, the committee said that planes would no longer be used for the transportation of Saudi team or any other teams taking part in the World Cup matches.

The Organizing Committee attached a statement from the State Civil Aviation Authority of Russia with regard to Monday’s happening. According to the statement, flames were noticed on the right wing of the plane while it was landing. “The situation did not necessitate an emergency landing. The plane landed normally because the aircraft engines were operating smoothly,” the statement said adding that an investigation is underway and it would be completed with the involvement of all the concerned parties.