Irfan Bilito will officiate the highly anticipated match between Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr, scheduled for 8:30 PM this Friday. This decision reflects the Federation's commitment to bringing in top European referees to officiate major matches in the Saudi Professional League.
The importance of El Clásico and the competitive context
This match holds particular significance given the historic rivalry between the two giants, Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr, whose matches attract a massive following both locally and across the Arab world. The game comes at a time when the Saudi league is experiencing a qualitative leap and boasting some of the world's biggest football stars, placing added pressure on the referees to ensure the match is conducted with the utmost fairness and professionalism. The selection of a referee of Belete's caliber is a testament to the sensitivity of the encounter and the committee's desire to ensure a smooth and successful conclusion to the match.
Irfan Bilito's International Career
The 41-year-old Bosnian referee began his refereeing career in November 2012 and received his international badge from FIFA in 2015. Peleteto is currently classified as a UEFA “Category A” referee, the category immediately preceding the elite category.
Belete made history in Bosnian football as the first referee from his country to officiate Champions League matches, both in the group stage and the knockout rounds. His most notable achievements include refereeing the 2021 group stage match between Besiktas and Ajax, as well as the high-profile 2024 Round of 16 clash between Real Madrid and RB Leipzig.
His history in Saudi stadiums
Irfan Bilito is no stranger to the Saudi Professional League, having officiated several important matches. His debut came in the 2019/20 season with the Al-Raed vs. Al-Wehda game, and he also refereed the Al-Ahli vs. Al-Ettifaq match in the 2023/24 season, both ending in goalless draws. However, Al-Ahli fans hold a particularly fond memory of him, as he officiated the Al-Ahli vs. Al-Hilal derby last season, which ended in a thrilling 3-2 victory for Al-Ahli.
Numbers and statistics from the journey of governance
The Bosnian referee is characterized by a strong personality on the field, and the statistics illustrate his management style:
- Number of matches: 356 matches throughout his career.
- Yellow cards: 1584 cards.
- Red cards (indirect): 38 cards.
- Direct expulsion: 25 cases.
- Penalty kicks: 123 penalty kicks were awarded.
As for the Saudi Roshan League specifically, he managed 3 matches, during which he showed 9 yellow cards, one direct red card, and awarded two penalty kicks.
