Whistle Chaos Ahead: Turpin Will Referee Al-Ahli vs Al-Najma in a Tense Saudi Pro League Duel

Referee appointment and match context

The Saudi football federation announced the officiating crew for Thursday’s Round 6 fixtures in the Roshan Saudi Pro League. The Al-Ahli vs Al-Najma game will be led by French referee Clement Turpin, with compatriots Nicolas Danos and Benjamin Piège as assistants, and Benoît Millot in charge of VAR. An Emirati duo, Mohammed Al-Harmoudi as a fourth official and Mohammed Ubaid as a VAR assistant, completes the crew.

Turpin isn’t a stranger to Saudi football, having officiated several Al-Ahli fixtures in the past. Notably, he has overseen high-stakes clashes involving the team, and his presence always promises a tense rhythm to the proceedings.

Historical angles and what it means for Al-Ahli

In past meetings, Turpin’s assignments with Al-Ahli have come with mixed results. One well-remembered encounter against Al-Hilal in the 2018-2019 season saw Hilal triumph 4-3, with Turpin showing six yellows (four to Al-Ahli, two to Hilal) and three penalties (two for Hilal, one for Al-Ahli).

In the 2024-2025 season’s Saudi Super Cup semi-final between Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal, the match ended 1-1 before Hilal prevailed on penalties. Turpin did not award extra-time penalties, but he issued five yellow cards in total (four to Al-Ahli, one to Hilal) and no reds.

Ahead of today’s game, Al-Ahli sit eighth with nine points, as coach Matias Jaissle looks to push the team forward after two draws, against Al-Shabab and Al-Ettifaq. Al-Najma, meanwhile, occupies the bottom place with zero points and is eager to kickstart its campaign.

Team status, injuries, and key personnel to watch

Jaissle’s side is travelling to Buraydah’s King Abdullah Stadium for a tough test. The headline concern centers on the fitness of two Brazilians — defender Roger Ibanez and winger Wenderson Galeno — who are racing the clock to be declared fit for the match. Ibanez in particular has been a mainstay this season, and his absence would be felt as teams press in on their own half.

Ibanez has appeared in ten matches across all competitions this season, with one goal and three yellow cards. His versatility and aerial presence have earned him the description inside the club as “the solid defensive rock with an attacking edge.” Since joining from Roma, Ibanez has played 88 matches for Al-Ahli, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists, including a crucial equalizer in the Super Cup final against Al-Nassr before Al-Ahli clinched the title on penalties.

With Ibanez’s availability uncertain, Jaissle may rely on a reshuffled backline, while preserving Ibanez’s fitness for league contention. Wenderson Galeno has also faced limited minutes due to injury concerns, and his involvement could tip the balance for Al-Ahli’s attacking dynamics in this away game.

As the squad plans its approach, the medical and coaching staff will be weighing options to field the strongest possible lineup for the demanding October schedule, hoping to translate recent AFC Champions League form into domestic success.

Kick-off is moments away, and both sides will be hoping Turpin’s whistle signals fair play, pace, and a match that lives up to the hype. The fans will be watching closely as tactical plans unfold and substitutions shape the tempo of the encounter.

Two more notes from the camp: Ibanez has been in and out of drills, with partial involvement last Sunday before the Gharafa clash in Asia; Galeno’s status remains uncertain, depending on medical advice and recovery pace. The team will aim to stabilize defense and build efficient transitions to unlock Al-Najma’s defense, which has conceded in several early-season fixtures.

Final lineups and pre-match press conferences should provide more clarity on how Jaissle plans to balance form, fitness, and the need for three points in this key showdown.

Punchline time, Sniper-style: 1) If Turpin’s whistle had a mileage counter, it would rack up more kilometers than most midfielders in a full season. 2) Injuries are the true wildcard in football—they show up, slither into your squad, and still get a standing ovation from the physio bench.