In fiery remarks following the final whistle, Frenchman Christophe Galtier, manager of Neom FC, sparked controversy in Saudi Arabian sporting circles with his scathing comments on the refereeing decisions during his team's match against Al-Hilal. The game, part of the 16th round of the Roshan Professional League, played at Neom Stadium, not only ended in defeat for the home side but also left behind legitimate questions raised by the experienced coach regarding the implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology.
Sharp criticism of video technology and double standards
Galtier used the press conference to highlight what he described as a lack of fairness in reviewing controversial incidents. The French coach stated sharply, “I have a clear and direct comment on VAR; why didn’t the referee review the incidents where we demanded our rights, specifically the cases involving Said Benrahma and Salman Al-Faraj? In contrast, we saw the referee rush to review the screen in every incident involving Al-Hilal.” These statements reopen the debate surrounding refereeing controversies that often accompany major matches in the Saudi League, especially when one of the teams is the capital's blue team, placing the referees' committee under increasing pressure to ensure equal opportunities for all clubs.
The veterans shone against their former team
Aside from the refereeing controversy, Galtier didn't neglect to praise the heroic performance of his team's stars, singling out the veteran duo Salman Al-Faraj and Mohammed Al-Breik. This praise carries special weight given the long history the two players share with Al-Hilal, as they faced their former team with a high level of professionalism. Galtier said, "Thank you to Salman Al-Faraj and Mohammed Al-Breik; their vast experience was clearly evident on the pitch.".
The coach elaborated on the technical aspects, saying, “Al-Breik delivered an exceptional performance, completely neutralizing Theo Hernandez's threat and capping his efforts with a beautiful goal, while Salman Al-Faraj expertly controlled the midfield.” This performance reflects the significant technical value that experienced stars bring to the ambitious NEOM project and their ability to compete at the high level of matches against the league champions.
A respectable performance despite the loss
Galte concluded by emphasizing that the scoreline doesn't necessarily reflect the flow of the game, noting that his team was a formidable opponent for Al-Hilal. He explained, "The match was tough, intense, and highly tactical, and we deserved at least a draw given our spirited performance and tactical discipline throughout the ninety minutes." This match confirms that NEOM FC, despite its relative youth compared to Al-Hilal's history, has become a force to be reckoned with in the Roshan League, capable of challenging the established giants and showcasing a style of football befitting the remarkable development of Saudi sports.
