The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has announced the refereeing team that will officiate the highly anticipated match between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, the highlight of the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League. Spanish international referee Ricardo de Burgos has been selected to lead this major derby, which will be held at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, as part of the "Foundation Day Round.".
The general context and historical background of the Saudi Clasico: The
"Saudi Clasico" between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad is one of the oldest and fiercest rivalries in the history of Saudi and Asian football. The rivalry between these two giants stretches back decades, during which they have engaged in epic battles for domestic and continental titles. The match attracts a massive following, not only from the fans of the two teams but from all football enthusiasts in the region, given the clubs' rich history of achievements and their large and passionate fan base, making it a truly national sporting event.
The importance of the match and its expected impact:
This match takes on added significance given the fierce competition for the league title. Al-Hilal enters the match sitting atop the standings with 53 points, aiming to solidify their lead and distance themselves from their closest rivals. Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad, the defending champions and currently seventh with 37 points, are looking to achieve a positive result that will restore their domestic balance and propel them up the table, drawing inspiration from their strong performances in the AFC Champions League. The outcome of this match will not only affect the title race but will also have a significant psychological impact on both teams in the crucial stages of the season.
With international experience
, De Burgos, 39, boasts an impressive resume in the world of European refereeing, having held a FIFA-certified international badge since 2018. Saudi Arabian stadiums are no stranger to the Spanish referee, as he has previously officiated two matches in the Roshan League: the first between Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli, which ended in a 2-1 victory for Al-Hilal, and the second between Al-Nassr and Al-Kholoud, which ended in a 2-0 victory for Al-Nassr. The selection of a top-tier European referee to officiate the Clasico reflects the international stature of the Roshan League, which necessitates the presence of internationally experienced referees to ensure matches are officiated to the highest standards.
The full refereeing team for the match
is complete, and the Spanish refereeing team for De Burgos is completed with Iker de Francisco and Alfredo Rodriguez as assistant referees, while Cesar Soto is in charge of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology with the assistance of Marta Horta, and the Saudi referee Ali Al-Qahtani will be the fourth official in this anticipated summit that is capturing the attention of Saudi and Arab fans.
