Palestine’s Defender Drops a 'Shocking' Referee Remark From Palestine–Saudi Arab Cup Clash

Key Moment: A Shocking Remark by the Referee

Palestinian defender Mohammed Saleh says that an Egyptian referee, Amien Omar, made a remark during the Arab Cup 2025 quarterfinal between Palestine and Saudi Arabia. The game in Qatar ended 2-1 to Saudi Arabia after extra time, following a 1-1 score at the end of regulation.

Saleh, who has played in Egypt’s top league for Eastern Company, Al-Ittihad Alexandria, and Al-Masry, described the incident in a Facebook post, recounting a conversation with the official during his earlier spells in the league.

In a previous post, Saleh criticized a penalty decision and recalled the referee’s words: “Don’t feel you’re Diego Maradona,” a remark he says was aimed at discouraging theatrics on the field.

He also shared a photo from the Saudi clash showing him on the ground after a robust challenge with Saudi player Faras Al-Briqan. He later spoke of another exchange that occurred during the match, noting that after a head clash and his fall, the referee allegedly said: “Be a man… thank God you’re a man.”

The post includes the moment’s image and a reminder of Saleh’s past clubs as context for the intensity of the exchange with the official. The Saudi team advanced to face the winner of Jordan vs. Iraq in the Arab Cup semifinals in Qatar.

Saleh’s Facebook entry and the accompanying image illustrate the high emotions of the clash, as well as the broader discussion about officiating standards in regional football.

Context and Reactions

The quarterfinal match in Qatar was part of the Arab Cup 2025. Saudi Arabia’s 2-1 extra-time victory came after regulation time finished 1-1, setting up a semifinal date against the Jordan-Iraq winner. Saleh’s reflections add another layer to ongoing conversations about how referees are perceived in high-stakes regional fixtures.

Beyond this particular match, Saleh has a history in the Egyptian Premier League with clubs including Eastern Company, Al-Ittihad Alexandria, and Al-Masry. His recent Facebook post situates this moment within his broader football journey and his national team duties with Palestine.

The public post features a photo of Saleh’s fall and recounts the tense exchanges with the official, underscoring the emotional stakes of the tournament for players and fans alike. The Arab Cup continues, with Saudi Arabia awaiting its semifinal opponent as the region watches closely for leadership on and off the pitch.

Humor break: In football, when the whistle sounds like a mic, you better hope the journalist is listening. Punchlines aside, the only thing more dramatic than a late goal is a referee’s pep talk that becomes meme material for weeks.