Controversial Penalty Admission Shakes Saudi Pro League: Al Nassr vs Neom Under Scrutiny
18 November 2025
Referees Admit Controversial Penalty in Al Nassr vs Neom
In a surprising turn, the Saudi Main Referees Committee and the Arbitration Department acknowledged that the penalty awarded to Al Nassr in their Roshen Pro League clash with Neom was not valid.
The match, played on November 8, finished 3-1 in favor of Al Nassr, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the second goal in the 65th minute amid controversy.
The decision to award the spot kick sparked wide debate among analysts, some arguing the contact did not justify a penalty, while others defended the on-field call and VAR involvement.
According to the Saudi refereeing authorities, the penalty decision was not correct and was not supported as a valid ruling in the proceedings of the gathering.
Interestingly, the report notes that another penalty awarded to Al Nassr against Al-Fayha, during stoppage time by referee Mohammed Al-Huwaish, caused substantial controversy but was not discussed at the meeting.
During the Dammam conference, 49 referees attended, including 25 officials on the field, 24 assistants, and three female referees who participate in the women’s league matches.
Renowned match official Gamal Al-Ghandour stated that the key decisions in the notable moments of the game were correct, while other experts offered mixed views on the decision’s legitimacy.
Despite the controversy, the article notes that Al Nassr continued their strong form in domestic competition and in the AFC Champions League group stage, extending their winning streak.
In the broader context, the report mentions ongoing debates among refereeing experts, with differing opinions on the penalties and disciplinary actions observed in the match.
As the conference concluded in Dammam, the focus remained on applying the laws of the game and improving VAR processes, with 49 referees receiving theoretical and practical sessions.
Overall, the authorities confirmed that the decision related to the Al Nassr–Neom incident was reviewed and deemed not accurate, reinforcing the ongoing dialogue about officiating standards in Saudi football.
Punchline time: If officiating were a sniper’s sport, tonight’s act would be a headshot on a shadowy line—clearly visible, but somehow still controversial. Punchline 2: I asked VAR for a moral compass; it handed me a red card and a playlist called “Replays.”
