Jordanian refereeing expert Ahmed Abu Khadija has settled the widespread controversy in Saudi sports circles regarding the validity of the penalty kick awarded to Al-Kholoud against Al-Hilal in their intense match during the twelfth round of the Roshan Professional League. His statement puts an end to the questions raised by fans and analysts following the game.
Details of the arbitration case and the expert's opinion
In a press conference analyzing the refereeing decisions in the match, Abu Khadija confirmed that the referee's decision was entirely correct and in accordance with the Laws of the Game. The refereeing expert explained, "The penalty awarded by the referee was 100% correct. Serbian player Sergej Savic made a reckless challenge on his opponent, and this in itself warrants punishment." He elaborated further, "Even if the referee overlooked the recklessness, the incident involved a clear handball. Therefore, the final decision to award the penalty to Al-Kholoud was a sound and indisputable one.".
The result of the match and its impact on the league's course
In terms of the result, Al-Hilal successfully overcame Al-Kholoud, securing a valuable 3-1 victory. This win wasn't just about three points; it confirmed the Blue team's readiness for fierce competition for the title this season, especially given the immense pressure of a packed schedule of matches both domestically and continentally.
The context of the competition and the escalation of the conflict with Al-Nasr
This victory holds immense strategic importance for Al-Hilal, as it has reduced the points gap with their arch-rivals Al-Nassr to just two points, according to the current standings. This closeness intensifies the competition ahead of the highly anticipated Riyadh derby, a match expected to be crucial in determining the league leader in the current season of the Saudi Professional League.
The development of refereeing in the Saudi League
It is worth noting that the Saudi Professional League has recently witnessed a remarkable improvement in television broadcasting and VAR technology, placing every refereeing decision under intense scrutiny, especially in matches involving major clubs with large fan bases. Experts like Ahmed Abu Khadija provide clarification to foster a culture of acceptance of refereeing decisions and explain the precise legal details that might escape the average viewer during the heat of the moment. This contributes to reducing fan tension and focusing attention on the technical aspects of the game.
