During the celebrations following the Oman’s Gulf Cup win over the United Arab Emirates in Kuwait City, a glass barrier broke, injuring around 40 football fans from Oman on Friday evening.

The barrier at the Jaber International Stadium broke as Oman fans pressed against the glass during celebrations, raising questions over the state of safety in the stadiums in the Middle East, which has been a topic of debate for several years.

The Kuwait Football Association said on its Twitter account ‘around 40 people’ had been hospitalised for minor injuries and posted videos of some of those involved after they had received treatment.

Wounded supporters were taken to Farwaniya Hospital to receive treatment following the incident at the 60,000-capacity stadium in Kuwait City.

The 23rd Gulf Cup was almost called off due to the political and diplomatic tensions between the Gulf states, Kuwait stepped in to host the regional tournament, which has a strong historical value for the region.

Oman claimed the title for only the second time in the nation’s history with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win after the game had ended scoreless after 120 minutes.

Goalkeeper Faiyz Al Rashidi was the hero for Oman as he denied UAE’s Omar Abdul Rahman twice from the spot, once in normal time and once during the shoot-out.

Mohsin Al Khaldi then stepped up to score the winning penalty in the shootout causing wild and electric celebrations in Kuwait City

Oman are currently ranked 89th in the world and have previously won the Gulf Cup in 2009, when they hosted the tournament.