The recent Riyadh derby between the capital's two giants, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, sparked widespread controversy in Saudi sports circles, not only due to the high scoreline but also because of the controversial refereeing decisions that marred the match. In this context, a public poll conducted by the sports section of the Okaz newspaper on the X platform revealed a significant division in public opinion, with over 900 followers participating to express their views on the refereeing decisions in the derby, which was part of the 15th round of the Saudi Professional League.
The poll results showed that the vast majority of voters believed the match was marred by refereeing errors, with 64% of participants confirming the presence of clear mistakes. Upon closer examination, 47% felt these errors directly impacted the match's outcome and course, while 16% considered them to have occurred but not to have a significant impact. Conversely, 36% of participants felt the refereeing team managed the match competently and that there were no notable errors.
The details of last Monday's match unfolded in dramatic fashion, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Al-Hilal emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline. Al-Nassr took an early lead through their Portuguese star, Cristiano Ronaldo, in the first half, but Al-Hilal turned the game around in the second half, scoring three goals courtesy of Salem Al-Dawsari, Mohamed Kanno, and Ruben Neves. The match was marked by pivotal refereeing decisions, including the awarding of two penalties to Al-Hilal and the red card shown to Al-Nassr's goalkeeper, Nawaf Al-Aqidi. These decisions were the subject of much discussion in the fan poll.
This derby holds special significance beyond being merely a three-point match. With this victory, Al-Hilal solidified its lead in the Saudi Professional League standings, widening the gap with its closest rival and runner-up, Al-Nassr, to a full seven points. This margin represents a pivotal turning point in the title race, increasing the sensitivity surrounding any refereeing decision that could influence the course of the tournament, which enjoys unprecedented global attention due to the presence of a host of world-class football stars.
It's worth noting that Riyadh derby matches are always fiercely contested and exciting, and are subject to intense public and media scrutiny, with the referee's whistle considered an integral part of the game's narrative. These ongoing discussions about refereeing reflect the passion of the Saudi public and their keen interest in following every detail of a league that has become a global focus, placing additional pressure on referees to ensure the highest degree of fairness in crucial matches.
