A refereeing decision in the Saudi Clasico between Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr sparked widespread controversy in sporting circles after Al-Ittihad players demanded a penalty kick following a handball by Al-Nassr's Angelo Gabriel inside the penalty area. In this context, Jordanian refereeing expert Ahmed Abu Khadija settled the debate, offering his technical opinion on the incident that captivated fans and analysts during the match between the two teams in the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League, held at Al-Awwal Park Stadium.
In an exclusive statement to Al-Midan Al-Riyadi, Abu Khadija explained that the referee's decision to allow play to continue was correct, emphasizing that Al-Ittihad did not deserve a penalty kick in that instance. The refereeing expert justified his opinion by saying, "The handball by the Al-Nassr player was unintentional. The referee based his decision on the rule that handballs are not intentional, and therefore, the decision to allow play to continue is sound and in accordance with the spirit of the law." This decision sparked strong protests from Al-Ittihad players and their coach, Sergio Conceição, on the touchline, demanding a review of the incident using the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.
General context and importance of the Saudi Clasico
The matches between Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr, known as the "Saudi Clasico," are among the most important and intense in Saudi and Asian football. The rivalry between these two long-established clubs stretches back decades, and their matches are always characterized by fierce competition, excitement, and large crowds. These encounters have gained even greater significance with the significant development of the Saudi Professional League and its attraction of international stars, which places every refereeing decision under intense scrutiny and intensifies the debate surrounding it.
The impact of the decision on the course of the match and the competition
Refereeing decisions in such crucial matches have a significant impact on the final result and, consequently, on the course of the league standings. Awarding a penalty at a critical moment could have completely altered the flow of the game and affected both teams' ambitions in the title race or for qualifying for continental competitions. The controversy that follows such incidents reflects the immense pressure placed on referees in managing high-profile matches and underscores that football, even with the advent of assistive technology, remains open to differing opinions and interpretations of the rules, thus ensuring that excitement and debate remain integral parts of the game.
