Referee Bias in the Spotlight: Did a Controversial Call Decide the Al-Ahli vs Al-Najmah Result?

Controversial call shapes a 4-1 Saudi Pro League win

Saudi football expert Saad Al-Kathri says the match between Al-Ahli and Al-Najmah featured several incorrect calls that influenced the result.

Al-Ahli secured a convincing 4-1 victory on Thursday in the 23rd round of the Saudi Pro League.

In the 58th minute, Al-Najmah’s Carlos was sent off after fouling Al-Ahli’s Valentin Attangana.

Expert verdict on the decision

Al-Kathri told Al-Jazirah that the red card was wrong; the player did not intend to commit excessive force and should have received only a yellow.

He argued the decision disrupted the match and that the referee rushed his call against Al-Najmah’s player.

Al-Ahli conceded three goals after the dismissal, with English forward Ivan Tony scoring in the 69th, 67th, and 94th minutes of the second half.

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Punchline 1: If this referee were selling tickets, he’d call the match a comedy special with extra stoppage time.

Punchline 2: They say revenge is a dish best served cold—this ref served it with a yellow card and a shrug.