Al-Ittihad Club's statement against the refereeing after the Al-Nassr match in the Roshan League
The board of directors of Al-Ittihad Club its strong dissatisfaction with what it described as the influential refereeing errors that accompanied the summit of the twenty-first round of the Saudi Professional League (Roshan League) , which brought together the first football team with its counterpart Al-Nasr Club at the “Al-Awal Park” stadium in the capital Riyadh, and ended with the loss of Al-Ittihad by two goals to nil.
In an official statement published on the club's official account on the "X" platform, the club asserted that refereeing decisions played a direct role in altering the course of the match and its final result. The statement explicitly pointed to the refereeing team's failure to award two penalties, which the club described as "clear and deserved," thus depriving the team of its legitimate right to get back into the game and compete for the three points.
Controversy surrounding Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology
The statement highlighted a crucial point regarding the implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology. The club explained that television reviews and technical analyses clearly demonstrated the validity of the controversial incidents raised by Al-Ittihad players. However, the decisions of the on-field referee and the VAR room contradicted expectations, leading the Al-Ittihad management to question the effectiveness of the technology if it fails to correct critical decisions in matches as significant as the "Clásico.".
The context of the competition and the importance of El Clásico
These demands come at a time when the Saudi league tremendous development and a qualitative leap in attracting international stars and gaining international fan support. Matches between Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr are considered among the most prominent features of the historic rivalry in Saudi football, receiving close media attention both locally and globally. Observers believe that raising the standard of refereeing to match the market and technical value of the league has become an urgent necessity to ensure the success of the Saudi sports project and maintain the reputation of the competition.
Demands to ensure fair competition
Al-Ittihad Club concluded its statement by calling on the relevant committees within the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to conduct a thorough review of the incidents that occurred during the match and to take the necessary measures to ensure such errors are not repeated. The club emphasized its unwavering commitment to the principle of equal opportunities and fair competition among all clubs, stressing that maintaining the integrity of refereeing is fundamental to enhancing the credibility of the league and the public's confidence in its outcomes.
