Derby Fire: Al-Nassr Stands by Nawaf Al-Aqeidi as Legal Walls Rise
25 January 2026
Derby fallout
Abdullah Al-Majed, president of Al-Nassr, sparked headlines with remarks about Nawaf Al-Aqeidi’s red card in the Riyadh derby against Al-Hilal, a 1-3 defeat in round 15 of the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Aqeidi was sent off for striking Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves, prompting the red card after the referee consulted video replay.
Following the incident, the Saudi Football Federation's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee imposed a financial sanction on Al-Aqeidi and suspended him for two matches.
Speaking on the Socrates podcast on the Thamani platform, Al-Majed said Al-Nassr moved immediately through legal channels to defend the player and restore his rights.
Club stance and legal steps
He added that 'Nassr is not a short wall' and that they possess the means to defend their rights, citing ongoing and past legal battles as proof.
Regarding the red-card incident against Al-Hilal, Al-Majed stated the footage is clear and leaves little room for interpretation, and that watching it alone should suffice to judge.
He also rejected using officiating as a perpetual excuse, arguing that the topic has become repetitive and is often met with doubt even when the argument is objective.
The article also includes a match-recap block showing the upcoming Saudi Pro League fixture between Riyadh and Al-Hilal, scheduled for January 25, 2026 at 18:30.
The rest features image credits and a streaming widget placeholder.
Punchline 1: If defending a player were a sport, Al-Nassr would need its own hall of fame and a louder coffee machine.
Punchline 2: The only thing sharper than that red card is the club’s legal bill—guess the scriptwriters run on referees and lawyers nowadays.
