On Monday, a video appeared on the Internet showing flames leaping from the right wing of the airplane, on which the team flew to Rostov-on-Don for their match against Uruguay. Media reports suggested that there could have been a fire in the engine.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation later denied the reports of a fire saying that there was a minor defect and nobody got hurt.

"We think that this incident will not influence the work of the transport system during the World Cup," Ditrikh said adding that no evidence of danger or threat to the health and safety of the passengers was revealed during the initial examination of the plane's engine.

Saudi Arabia were beaten by hosts Russia 5-0 in the opening match of the World Cup and suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Uruguay in Rostov-on-Don on Wednesday, which means they were knocked out of the tournament. Saudi Arabia will face Egypt in their final Group A match on Monday.