The referee's controversial decision to award Al-Ittihad a penalty against their arch-rivals Al-Ahli in the Jeddah derby has sparked widespread debate and discussion among fans and sports analysts. This match was part of the 25th round of the Saudi Professional League, a competition known for its fierce rivalry that extends beyond the pitch.
The legal opinion on Al-Ittihad's penalty kick and details of the incident
In exclusive statements to Al-Midan Al-Riyadi, Jordanian refereeing expert Ahmed Abu Khadija put an end to the questions raised about the validity of the referee's decision. Abu Khadija categorically affirmed that the referee's decision to award Al-Ittihad a penalty kick was absolutely correct, pointing to a clear and undeniable foul.
The refereeing expert explained the technical details of the incident, stating that Al-Ahli defender Rayan Hamed committed a clear foul against Al-Ittihad's Steven Bergwijn. Abu Khadija added that the tackle was illegal and impeded the striker's progress, thus warranting a penalty kick according to the Laws of the Game, which the referee correctly assessed.
The Jeddah derby: A historical legacy and a renewed rivalry
This refereeing decision cannot be viewed in isolation from the historical context of the Jeddah derby. The Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Ahli derby is one of the oldest and fiercest derbies in the Arab world and the Middle East, boasting a long history of rivalry spanning decades. These matches are always characterized by extreme sensitivity to refereeing decisions, with each side believing that any whistle could be decisive in writing a new chapter in history or altering the course of an entire season.
These matches enjoy overwhelming public interest, not only at the local level in Saudi Arabia, but also extending to the Arab region and followers of the Saudi League globally, especially after the great boom that Saudi sports have witnessed and the attraction of the world’s most prominent stars, which makes every refereeing decision have a wide resonance.
The impact of the derby result on the Roshan League map
This match takes on added importance given the two teams' positions in the Roshan Professional League standings. While the current score is tied, with Al-Ahli leading 2-1 before equalizing, Al-Ahli is striving to secure all three points to solidify its place in the top four and compete for Asian Champions League qualification.
Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad is fighting to improve its position and appease its fans by securing a victory in this highly anticipated derby match. The penalty awarded to Al-Ittihad at this crucial moment could prove to be a turning point in the game, highlighting the immense pressure placed on referees and players in such high-stakes encounters that can determine the league champion or the teams qualifying for continental competitions.
