Controversial Call in the Riyadh Derby: Was Al Hilal's Opening Goal Legal?

Controversy over the Riyadh Derby Goal

A former officiating expert argues that the first goal scored by Al Hilal against their city rivals Riyadh in the Roshen Saudi Pro League was illegal, citing a foul committed before the ball crossed the line.

Marcus Leonardo was credited with the opening strike on Sunday at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in the eighteenth round of the league.

Riyadh players protested, asking for a free kick on Hasan Tambakti, the Hilal defender, before the goal, but the referee declined to intervene, even after a video review.

The pundit, Mohammed Kamal Risha, said the goal should have stood canceled because Tambakti's reckless challenge on Osama Al-Bawardi paved the buildup.

In remarks to the Sport daily, Risha explained that Tambakti's late push warrants disallowing the goal, and he noted that the video room should have called the referee to reassess.

The match continued without the goal being overturned, leaving both sides to chew over the decision.

Punchline 1: If VAR had a sniper reflex, maybe the goal would have landed—just not this time.

Punchline 2: In football, the ball travels faster than the explanation from the VAR chair.