A recent refereeing decision has sparked controversy in the Saudi Professional League, with renowned Jordanian refereeing expert Ahmed Abu Khadija asserting that the decision to disallow a legitimate goal for Damac FC during their match against Al-Ahli was "incorrect." This incident occurred during the postponed match from the tenth round of the competition, played at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Stadium, which ended in a 2-2 draw. The decision has generated widespread discussion regarding the performance of the refereeing team and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.
In exclusive statements to Al-Midan Al-Riyadi, Abu Khadija elaborated on his technical analysis of the situation, explaining that “disallowing Damac’s goal against Al-Ahli was a wrong decision by the referee. The ball was in a completely new phase of play, and there was no offside at the start of the play or during the continuation that led to the goal. Therefore, the referee should have awarded the goal to Damac.” This analysis highlights a misjudgment by both the on-field referee and the VAR official, who failed to properly assess the play as a separate attacking phase.
General context and importance of the match in the Roshan League
This incident comes amidst an exceptional season for the Saudi Professional League, which has garnered global attention after attracting international stars. The competition for the league title this season is fierce, with Al-Ahli, recently promoted back to the top flight, vying for a strong position. Every point has become crucial in the title race, amplifying the importance of refereeing decisions and their direct impact on the standings. For Al-Ahli, a victory in this match would have solidified their position at the top, while Damac was striving for a positive result to improve their league standing and distance themselves from the relegation zone.
The impact of the decision and the controversy surrounding VAR technology
The impact of this decision wasn't limited to the match result; it also reignited the debate surrounding the effectiveness of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the Saudi League. While the aim of this technology is to ensure fairness and minimize human error, incidents like Damac's disallowed goal demonstrate that the referee's human judgment remains a crucial and fallible element. The match witnessed strong protests from Damac's players and coaching staff regarding the cancellation, reflecting their frustration at losing a goal that could have altered the course of the game. Domestically, such errors increase the pressure on the referees' committee and fuel media and public discussions, while internationally, refereeing performance in major leagues is monitored as part of an assessment of their overall development.
