Al-Khaleej Club officially protests the refereeing in their match against Al-Ittihad in the Roshan League
of Al-Khaleej Club issued a strongly worded official statement, expressing its deep dissatisfaction with the refereeing decisions witnessed in the first football team’s match against Al -Ittihad Club , which took place on Friday evening, February 27, 2026, as part of the twenty-fourth round of the Saudi Professional League .
The club explained in its statement that the match witnessed controversial refereeing decisions that directly affected the outcome and the course of the competition. It specifically pointed to the failure to award a penalty kick, which the statement described as "clear and obvious," as well as the failure to issue a second yellow card to an opposing player, which should have resulted in a red card and forced Al-Ittihad to finish the match with ten men. The club expressed its astonishment at the silence of the referee and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) regarding these clear incidents.
Context of sports development in the Kingdom
These demands come at a time when the Saudi league unprecedented sporting activity and a qualitative leap on all levels, supported by attracting the world's top stars and developing stadium infrastructure, transportation technologies, and refereeing standards. Given the enormous resources the Kingdom has dedicated to raising the competition's efficiency to be among the best globally, observers believe that the level of refereeing must keep pace with this significant progress to ensure fair competition and reflect the bright, professional image of Saudi football.
The impact of mistakes on the team's performance
From a technical standpoint, the points dropped in the 24th round are extremely crucial, as teams enter the final stretch of the season, and every point plays a pivotal role in determining their final positions, whether in the relegation battle or the competition for mid-table and top spots. Al-Khaleej's management emphasized that repeating such mistakes this season is no longer acceptable, as it negatively impacts player morale and undermines the technical and administrative efforts invested throughout the season.
The administration's position and the demand for rights
Al-Dana Club's management emphasized that it had maintained a policy of restraint and patience throughout the past periods in support of the local refereeing system. However, the continued occurrence of significant errors necessitated this official action. The club concluded its statement by affirming its full legal and regulatory rights to take whatever measures it deems appropriate with the relevant authorities at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, stressing its confidence that justice will be served in a way that benefits and develops Saudi football.
