AFC Champions League Round of 16 witnessed dramatic off-field incidents that marred the match between Indonesia's Persib Bandung visitors, Ratchaburi . The Saudi Arabian refereeing team, led by referee Majed Al-Shamrani , faced a difficult situation when some angry fans attempted to assault them after the final whistle.
Details of the incident and the security intervention
The unrest began in the final minutes of the match, as tension gripped the stands due to refereeing decisions that displeased the home team's fans. Immediately after the final whistle, the situation escalated rapidly and dangerously, with groups of fans attempting to approach the pitch in an effort to confront the refereeing team.
The situation prompted an immediate and decisive intervention from the security forces present at the stadium, who formed a tight security cordon around referee Majed Al-Shamrani and his assistants Omar Al-Jamal and Hisham Al-Rifai , as well as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Sultan Al-Harbi . Footage showed the Saudi crew leaving under heavy guard to ensure their safe arrival at the dressing rooms, amidst a highly tense atmosphere.
General context: Public enthusiasm and security challenges
This incident comes within the context of Indonesian stadiums, which are known for their passionate football fans, often leading to excessive enthusiasm and security concerns during crucial matches. These events present additional challenges for the Asian Football Confederation and local federations in ensuring the safety of players and referees, especially given the recent spate of riots in some Asian stadiums, which consistently necessitates stricter regulatory measures.
Expected procedures and the Asian Football Confederation's stance
This incident is expected to have official repercussions, as the match commissioner is expected to submit a detailed report to the Asian Football Confederation . AFC regulations deal very strictly with any threat to the safety of referees or officials, and the home club could face penalties ranging from hefty fines to playing behind closed doors, and potentially even having matches moved to a neutral venue if serious security lapses are proven.
The assignment of a Saudi refereeing team to this match reflects the great confidence that the Asian Referees Committee places in the Saudi referee, given the great development in the level of refereeing in the Kingdom. However, such incidents that are outside the spirit of sportsmanship remain a black spot that requires a firm stance to ensure that they are not repeated in the future.
