A refereeing decision during the Al-Hilal vs. Al-Qadisiyah match in the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League sparked widespread controversy in Saudi sports circles. The debate centered on a tackle by Al-Hilal midfielder Mohamed Kanno on Al-Qadisiyah player Nahitan Nandez, a move for which some called for Kanno to be shown a red card.
In this context, renowned Jordanian refereeing expert, Ahmed Abu Khadija, offered his definitive technical opinion via “Al-Midan Al-Riyadi,” confirming that the referee's decision not to send off the player was correct. Abu Khadija stated, “Mohammed Kanno did not deserve a red card for his foul on Nahitan Nandez. The foul was minor and didn't even warrant a yellow card.” This statement puts an end to much of the speculation surrounding the incident, providing the perspective of an expert in the laws of the game.
General context and importance of the match
The matches in the Roshan Professional League are gaining increasing importance, especially with the fierce competition for the top spot. Al-Hilal, with its rich history and unwavering ambitions, is a key contender for the title, making every match a final where dropping points is unacceptable. Any impactful refereeing decision, such as the sending off of a pivotal player like Mohamed Kanno, can completely alter the course of a match and even affect the team's long-term progress in the tournament. Losing a key midfielder is a tactical blow for any coach, forcing the team to reshuffle its lineup in a way that could disrupt its defensive and offensive balance.
The impact of refereeing decisions under VAR technology
Refereeing decisions are no longer limited to the on-field referee's whistle; Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology has become an integral part of the game. While the aim of this technology is to achieve maximum fairness and minimize human error, it often opens a new door to debate and controversy. In cases like Kanno's challenge, the referee reviews the footage on the screen, but the final decision remains subject to his interpretation of the law. This makes the opinions of experts and analysts like Ahmed Abu Khadija highly valuable in understanding the logic behind the decision and informing the public.
The first half of the match, played at the Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium, ended in a 1-1 draw. Portuguese star Ruben Neves scored for Al-Hilal, while Al-Qadisiyah's Nahitan Nandez equalized past Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, reflecting the intense and competitive atmosphere of the game from its opening minutes.
