Refereeing analysis of the Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ittihad derby: Was Al-Ittihad wronged?
International refereeing consultant Tariq Sami, writing for the Saudi newspaper Okaz, sparked widespread controversy in Saudi sports circles after analyzing the contentious refereeing decisions in the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League, dubbed the "Founding Day Round." This fiery encounter between traditional rivals Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, held at the new Kingdom Arena, concluded with pivotal refereeing decisions that directly impacted the course of the game.
Details of the uncalled penalty for Al-Ittihad
In his detailed technical analysis, the refereeing expert confirmed a blatant refereeing error: the failure to award a clear penalty to Al-Ittihad. Sami explained that Al-Hilal's international defender, Hassan Tambakti, made a reckless tackle on the Al-Ittihad striker's leg as he was shooting inside the penalty area. Despite the clear foul, both the on-field referee and the VAR official completely ignored the incident, much to the surprise of analysts and observers. The referee should have reviewed the footage and awarded the penalty.
The validity of Hassan Kadash's expulsion
On the other hand, the refereeing expert vindicated the officiating crew in another pivotal decision, confirming the correctness of the red card shown to Al-Ittihad defender Hassan Kadash. He pointed out that the VAR intervention in this instance was accurate and justified, as Kadash had denied Al-Hilal's Brazilian striker, Malcom, a clear goal-scoring opportunity, thus warranting a straight red card according to the Laws of the Game.
The history of El Clásico and the importance of the match
The Saudi Clasico between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad holds exceptional significance, transcending the mere three-pointer of a single match. It represents a historic rivalry between the two giants of Saudi football. Encounters between the two teams have always been characterized by intense competition, excitement, and controversial refereeing decisions that continue to be the talk of the sporting world for extended periods. This particular match comes amidst a fiercely competitive atmosphere, with Al-Hilal seeking to solidify its lead and reaffirm its domestic dominance, while Al-Ittihad, the reigning champions, are striving to regain their footing and prove their ability to compete with the league leaders in head-to-head encounters.
The impact of arbitration decisions on competition
Such refereeing decisions in major matches not only affect the outcome of the game, but also have repercussions on the league standings and the psychological state of the players and fans. The controversy surrounding the denial of a penalty to Al-Ittihad has reopened the debate on refereeing performance and the use of VAR in crucial matches, especially given the significant development of the Saudi league and its attraction of some of the world's brightest stars, which places referees under immense pressure to deliver error-free performances.
