Egyptian refereeing expert Mahmoud El-Banna has settled the widespread controversy surrounding Al-Ittihad's right to a penalty kick during their crucial match against arch-rivals Al-Hilal in the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League. In exclusive statements to Al-Midan Al-Riyadi, El-Banna confirmed that the referee's decision not to award a penalty to Al-Ittihad was correct in the incident where French star Karim Benzema's shot struck the hand of an Al-Hilal defender.
The controversial incident that sparked widespread debate among fans and analysts occurred when Benzema attempted a shot on goal from inside the penalty area, only for the ball to strike the hand of Al-Hilal defender Ali Al-Bulaihi. Al-Ittihad players appealed for a penalty, but the referee, after a possible VAR review, waved play on. Al-Banna explained his technical analysis, saying, “Al-Ittihad did not deserve a penalty for the shot from Karim Benzema. The decision not to award a penalty was correct because the ball was unexpected and the players were very close, which negates any possibility of deliberate or negligent action by the defender to inflate his body size.”.
The context of the match and its importance in the Saudi League
This match, known as the "Saudi Clasico," holds immense historical and competitive significance, being one of the fiercest encounters in Asian football. Its importance has been amplified this season due to the intense battle for the Roshan League title, which boasts a notable presence of international stars. Al-Hilal entered the match comfortably leading the standings and aiming to solidify their position and continue their historic winning streak, while Al-Ittihad, the defending champions, hoped for a victory that would revive their title hopes and improve their standing in the league table.
The impact of the decision on the outcome of El Clásico and the league standings
The match, held at the Kingdom Arena, ended with Al-Hilal winning 3-1, widening their lead at the top of the table and significantly diminishing Al-Ittihad's hopes of retaining their title. Refereeing decisions in such crucial matches have a direct impact on the final result and player morale, and often remain a topic of discussion in sporting circles for weeks. Even though the refereeing expert's opinion supports the decision, the debate between the two clubs' fans reflects the intense passion and rivalry that characterizes the Saudi league. The match also witnessed other notable events, including the sending off of Al-Ittihad's Hassan Kadash, which further complicated matters for his team. This controversy highlights the importance of VAR in resolving difficult situations, but also demonstrates that it doesn't completely eliminate debate, especially in cases where the referee's judgment is subjective.
