Nawaf Al-Aqidi's agent responds to criticism: What's happening is shameful, enough with the rumors
Saudi sports circles witnessed widespread controversy following the thrilling Riyadh derby between the capital's two giants, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal, in the fifteenth round of the Saudi Professional League. Attention focused heavily on Al-Nassr's goalkeeper, Nawaf Al-Aqidi , who found himself the target of harsh criticism after the 3-1 defeat at the Kingdom Arena.
Details of the crisis and the red card
A wave of public and media anger began to rise against Al-Aqidi after he was sent off approximately half an hour before the end of the match. The referee's decision to issue the red card was based on the goalkeeper's assault on Portuguese star Ruben Neves, a player for Al-Hilal, following Al-Hilal's first goal. This incident not only resulted in Al-Nassr finishing the match with ten men, but also led to disciplinary sanctions, including a two-match suspension and a fine of 20,000 riyals.
This incident has only increased the pressure on the young goalkeeper, especially since it coincided with a previous mistake he made in the fourteenth round against Al-Qadisiyah, which resulted in him conceding the first goal in a match that ended in a 1-2 defeat for Al-Nasr. This sequence of events has placed the goalkeeper under intense scrutiny, prompting immediate intervention from those around him to defend him.
The agent responds strongly: What is happening is flawed
Amid this fierce attack, Meshaal Al-Safai, Nawaf Al-Aqidi's agent, came out to defend his client via his official account on the social media platform "X." Al-Safai addressed a strongly worded message to the critics, describing what the goalkeeper was being subjected to as "shameful.".
Al-Safa’i tweeted: “When Al-Aqeedi was present, he silenced everyone with his exceptional performances, culminating in his contribution to our national team’s qualification for the World Cup. And when he was absent, everyone started talking about him, whether praising or criticizing him.” He added, disapproving of some people’s interference in the club’s affairs: “It’s strange that there are people speaking as if they are decision-makers within the club; this is truly shameful.”.
The agent emphasized the player's loyalty to his club, saying: "To shut the door on all the detractors, Nawaf Al-Aqidi is a son of Al-Nasr and will give everything he has to serve this entity... Enough with the rumors," in a clear indication of the player's desire to continue and overcome this setback.
General context and the impact of media pressure
These events take on special significance given the value of the Riyadh derby and its direct impact on the Roshan League competition, which has become the focus of global attention. The goalkeeper position at major clubs like Al-Nassr is one of the most sensitive, as the goalkeeper bears a heavy psychological burden, and a single mistake can often erase a history of crucial saves. The current criticism reflects the high expectations of Al-Nassr's fans, who always aspire to championship titles and will not tolerate individual errors that could cost the team valuable points in the league race.
Legal action to protect the player
On the administrative front, Al-Nassr's management did not stand idly by in the face of the campaign targeting their goalkeeper. Sources indicated that the club's legal department filed an official complaint against a sports program and several media figures who crossed the line from technical criticism to personal insults and attacks on the player. This step comes as part of the club's efforts to provide a stable environment for its players and protect them from external pressures that could affect their focus on the field.
