A refereeing crisis is rocking the sports scene after the Al-Ahli and Al-Fayha match
The repercussions of the dramatic events surrounding the Al-Fayha vs. Al-Ahli match in the Saudi Professional League continue to dominate the local and regional sports scene. Immediately after the final whistle, an unprecedented crisis erupted, spearheaded by Al-Ahli's German coach, Matthias Jäissle, the sporting director, and a number of the team's star players, including English striker Ivan Toni and Spaniard Gabri Vega. They leveled direct accusations against the refereeing crew, claiming that the officials had instructed them on the pitch to focus their efforts on the AFC Champions League instead of wasting time in the domestic competition. If true, this statement represents a dangerous precedent in the history of football competitions and tarnishes the image of domestic rivalry.
Al-Ahly demands transparency: “Let us hear the recordings.”
Faced with these serious accusations that impinge on the integrity of the competition, Al-Ahli's management did not remain idle. They issued a firm official statement demanding that the relevant authorities in the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and the Referees Committee release the audio recordings from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) room and the on-field refereeing team. This step comes as Al-Ahli's management seeks to confirm the validity of their players' and coach's claims and to safeguard the club's rights amidst the fierce competition in the Saudi League, which is currently enjoying unprecedented global attention after attracting some of the world's biggest football stars. Revealing the conversations between referees has become standard practice in many major leagues to ensure transparency, and this is precisely what Al-Ahli is demanding today to dispel all doubt.
Social media rumors and denials from official sources
Amid this tense atmosphere, events didn't stop at official statements; they spilled onto social media platforms where a large number of tweeters and Al-Ahli fans circulated information suggesting a familial relationship between the VAR referee in the match, Abdullah Al-Shehri, and former international referee Dhafer Abu Zanda, claiming he was Abu Zanda's son. However, reliable sources for the Okaz newspaper quickly intervened to quell this controversy, clarifying that this information was entirely baseless rumor and confirming that referee Abdullah Al-Shehri has no familial relationship whatsoever with former referee Dhafer Abu Zanda.
Al-Ahli's memory and the wounds of the Founder's Cup final in 2000
The rapid spread of this rumor didn't happen in a vacuum; rather, it reopened old wounds and revived painful historical memories for Al-Ahli fans, memories linked to referee Dhafer Abu Zanda. In 2000, an exceptional and historic tournament, the Founder's Cup, was held to commemorate the centenary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This major tournament takes place only once a century. The final match at that time pitted the two giants of Saudi football, Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal, against each other, and was officiated by Dhafer Abu Zanda. That historic final witnessed widespread refereeing controversy that remains etched in the minds of Al-Ahli fans to this day. They believe that egregious refereeing errors deprived their team of a draw and a chance to compete for the most prestigious domestic title. This psychological and historical connection explains the anger and tension currently gripping Al-Ahli fans, and their urgent demands for fairness and transparency in the era of professional sports.
