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Penalty Debated: Did Al-Nassr Earn a Penalty Against Damak? Referee and Expert Weigh In

21 January 2026

Penalty Debated: Did Al-Nassr Earn a Penalty Against Damak? Referee and Expert Weigh In
Dramatic Damk vs Al-Nassr moment as penalty appeals unfold in the Saudi Pro League.

Key moment under review

In the Saudi Pro League clash between Damk and Al-Nassr at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Abha, a cross from Abdulrahman Gharib in the 23rd minute struck a Damk defender's hand inside the box, triggering a penalty appeal led by Cristiano Ronaldo. The referee did not award the spot kick.

Expert verdict

Saudi match-expert Mohammed Kamal Risha backed the referee's decision, saying the handball occurred after an unintended deflection from a teammate, so no penalty was deserved for Al-Nassr.

As reported by Al-Riyadhiyah, the ruling was described as correct, with the ball touching the Damk defender's hand after a surprising deflection from a teammate.

Punchline 1: If penalties were a lottery, this one would be a misdraw on the first ticket.

Punchline 2: In football as in life, sometimes the whistle is louder than the scream for justice.

Author

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Michael Whooosh

I am Michael Whooosh, an English sports journalist born in 1986. Passionate about surfing, poetry, and beekeeping, I share my human and sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was a penalty awarded in the Damk vs Al-Nassr match?

No, the referee did not award a penalty.

When did the incident occur?

In the 23rd minute of the match.

Who provided the expert commentary?

Referee-expert Mohammed Kamal Risha and the Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadhiyah reported on the decision.

Where was the match played?

Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Abha.