Egyptian refereeing expert Mahmoud El-Banna confirmed that Al-Ahli defender, Brazilian Roger Ibanez, deserved a straight red card during his team's match against Al-Riyadh, which took place at the King Fahd International Stadium as part of the 24th round of the Saudi Professional League. This incident sparked widespread debate among analysts and fans, especially as it occurred at a crucial moment in the match, which ended in a hard-fought victory for Al-Ahli.
In an exclusive statement to Al-Midan, Al-Banna explained that the incident that occurred in the 40th minute of the first half involved unsportsmanlike conduct by Ibanez. He added, "The Al-Ahli player's aggression was clear and targeted at the opponent's head, which falls under the category of violent play and unsportsmanlike conduct warranting a direct red card according to the Laws of the Game, without any hesitation from the referee or even intervention from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).".
General context and importance of the match
This match comes at a crucial stage of the Roshan League, which is witnessing fierce competition for the top spots that qualify for Asian championships. Al-Ahli, having made a strong return to the professional league, is striving to solidify its place in the top four, making every point vital. Al-Ahli's 1-0 victory, secured by an own goal, strengthened their position in the standings, but the refereeing controversy overshadowed the win and reignited the debate about the standard of officiating, especially given the significant global attention the Saudi league receives.
Impact of the decision on the sports scene
Domestically, the failure to send off Ibanez sparked considerable discontent among Al-Riyadh fans, who felt their team had been wronged by the referee, an injustice that impacted the match's outcome. Playing with ten men for more than a full half would undoubtedly have altered the course of the game. On a broader level, such refereeing decisions are subject to intense scrutiny by media outlets and analysts both regionally and internationally. With the presence of world-class stars in the league, refereeing errors have become a hot topic of discussion regarding the readiness of the refereeing system to keep pace with the significant development of Saudi football. This incident is expected to remain a major topic of conversation in sporting circles for several days, with the possibility of a review by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee to determine the appropriate course of action.
