The suspension of the Damac president sparks controversy over the disciplinary committee's standards
The decisions Disciplinary and Ethics Committee widespread controversy in sporting circles, following its swift and decisive punishment of suspending Khaled Al-Shahrani , chairman of Damac FC, for two official matches. This decision came in response to the referee's report from the team's match against Al-Ahli, which indicated that Al-Shahrani had mistreated match officials.
Details of the crisis and the speed of the decision
The decision itself, from a legal standpoint, is not problematic, as local and international (FIFA) football regulations are based on the strict principle of protecting the integrity of the game, particularly referees and match officials. Insulting them is a red line that warrants immediate punishment to ensure the fairness of competitions. However, the point that sparked outrage among sports fans and observers was not the punishment itself, but rather the record speed with which it was issued, compared to other cases that remain pending before the committee.
Double standards: between speed and slowness
This decision has opened the door to legitimate questions about the committee's operational mechanisms. The current season in the Roshan Professional League similar, and perhaps even more serious, cases involving documented media statements, both audio and video, from officials and coaches of major clubs, expressing doubts about or attacking the committees and referees. Despite the clarity of these cases, decisions regarding them were delayed for weeks or went unpunished, reinforcing the impression among fans that there is a disparity in the application of the regulations depending on the identity of the club or official.
Legal opinion: A threat to fair competition
From a legal perspective, academic and legal consultant Dr. Hassan Radif of the dangers of this time discrepancy. He emphasized that justice is not limited to issuing penalties, but also includes the timing of their issuance. Delay in some cases and speed in others undermines the principle of "equality before the law" and creates a state of "legal uncertainty" for clubs.
Radif added that this confusion negatively impacts team stability, as disciplinary decisions are supposed to be issued before the start of each round to allow coaches and management to deal with absences. Furthermore, the lack of a standardized timeframe weakens the committee's authority and reduces the deterrent effect of penalties, potentially even leading to doubts about its impartiality and independence.
Negative effects on the league's reputation
Given the qualitative leap Saudi sports are witnessing and the global attention the league is receiving, administrative and institutional discipline has become a fundamental pillar, no less important than the technical level on the field. The continuation of this disparity could send negative messages about the professionalism of administrative work, necessitating serious action from the Saudi Federation to standardize the timeframe and procedures for dealing with all violations, thus ensuring fair competition and preserving the league's achievements.
