A top-tier international referee has been appointed for the Saudi Arabian football classic
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation's Referees Committee announced the appointment of Slovenian international referee Slavko Vinčić to officiate the highly anticipated derby match between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad, which will take place as part of the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League. This selection aligns with the Saudi Federation's policy of attracting top international referees to officiate major and sensitive matches, aiming to ensure the highest standards of refereeing fairness and minimize impactful errors, especially given the league's growing global viewership.
Historical background and context of the event
The Al-Nassr vs. Al-Ittihad match is considered one of the most prominent and prestigious rivalries in Saudi football history. Both teams boast a large fan base and a rich history of championships and fierce competition. With the significant development of the Saudi Professional League and its attraction of global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, this match has gained even greater importance both domestically and internationally. The appointment of a referee of Vinicius's caliber, who possesses extensive experience in major European and international tournaments, reflects the magnitude and importance of this encounter and the organizers' desire to present it in the best possible light to the world.
Who is Slavko Vinčić? A remarkable international career
Slavko Vinčić, 46, is one of the most prominent referees in Europe. He began his refereeing career in 2000 and received his FIFA international badge in 2010, granting him the opportunity to officiate matches at the highest levels. A highlight of his career was his handling of the 2022 Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers. He was also selected to officiate major tournaments such as UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, demonstrating the confidence that both UEFA and FIFA have in his abilities. Known for his strong personality and decisive decisions, he is often described as strict in his application of the rules, a trait reflected in his statistics.
Previous experience in Saudi stadiums
Vinic is no stranger to Saudi football, having previously officiated eight matches in domestic competitions: six in the Saudi Professional League and two in the King's Cup. Ironically, he also refereed a match between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad in the 2014-2015 season, which Al-Nassr won 3-1. He also officiated an Al-Ittihad match in the 2021-2022 King's Cup semi-final, which they lost to Al-Fayha 1-0.
Numbers and statistics from his refereeing career:
- Total matches: 501 matches
- Yellow cards: 2094 cards
- Red cards (after two warnings): 67 cards
- Direct red cards: 46 cards
- Penalty kicks awarded: 118 penalty kicks
His statistics in the Saudi Roshan League:
- Matches: 6 matches
- Yellow cards: 22 cards
- Red cards: 0
- Penalty kicks: 1
