Baniyas ask to postpone match following death of Theyab Awana

ABU DHABI // Baniyas have asked for their Etisalat Cup home match on Friday against Al Nasr to be postponed.

The club are still reeling from the death of Theyab Awana on Sunday night and the players nor coaching staff would prefer not to play a game so soon.

A spokesman for Baniyas said the club will need time to come to terms with what happened this week to one of their most popular footballers.

"We asked for the game this Friday to be postponed, and I believe our wishes will be respected," he said.

Baniyas will over the coming weeks announce how they will honour Awana, who was only 21, and who lost his life in a car crash near Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi.

"It is too early for me to tell you what we are planning. We are all grieving," the spokesman said.

ncameron@thenational.ae