Jordanian refereeing expert Ahmed Abu Khadija has settled the widespread controversy surrounding the decision to disallow a goal by Brazilian player Roger Ibanez, a defender for Al-Ahli, during his team's match against Al-Riyadh in the Saudi Professional League. Abu Khadija confirmed that the referee's decision was 100% correct, based on the laws of the game and the application of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, which resolved the situation.
Arbitration case details
The incident occurred during the match at Al-Malaz Stadium when Ibanez rose to head home, giving his team the lead. However, the referee, after consulting VAR, disallowed the goal. In his technical analysis of the situation for Al-Midan Al-Riyadi, Abu Khadija explained: “The decision to disallow Al-Ahli’s goal was correct. Roger Ibanez was in an offside position, and moreover, the player benefited from his position. Therefore, the referee’s decision not to award the goal was correct.” This explanation confirms that the disallowance was not solely due to offside, but also because the player directly benefited from his illegal position to influence the play and score the goal.
General context and importance of the match
This refereeing incident comes at a time of intense competition in the Saudi Professional League, which has garnered global attention after attracting international stars. The Al-Ahli vs. Al-Riyadh match was no ordinary game; Al-Ahli, making a strong return to the Professional League, was aiming for a top finish and a spot in Asian competitions, while Al-Riyadh was fighting to avoid relegation. Therefore, every point in this match was crucial for both teams, increasing the sensitivity of the refereeing decisions and their impact on the course of the game, which ended in a goalless draw (0-0).
The impact of the decision on the league's course
The disallowed goal not only affected the match result but also had direct repercussions on both teams' league positions. Al-Ahli lost two valuable points in their pursuit of the top spots, while Al-Riyadh gained a crucial point that could prove decisive in their fight to avoid relegation. On a broader level, these incidents highlight the importance of accurate refereeing in a league with growing regional and international following. Having expert referees providing technical and logical analysis of decisions helps increase transparency and educate fans about the complex laws of the game, thus enhancing the reputation and credibility of the competition as a whole.
