Riyadh Derby Fallout: Al Shabab Flings Referee Critique in Official Statement
17 January 2026
Context
The Lions move after the Riyadh derby loss.
Official reaction
The Spanish head coach Manuel Alguacil voiced his anger at the refereeing decisions after the match, suggesting the result was influenced by favoritism.
Club statement
Al Shabab published a statement on its official X account expressing strong objection and regret for repeated influential refereeing errors that affected the team in Roshn Saudi League matches.
Impact of errors
The statement noted that the errors affected several games, notably the meeting with Al Taawoun, and the mistakes that accompanied today's match against Al Nassr, which directly changed the course of play and the outcome.
Requests to the referees
The club had previously contacted the Referees Committee after the Al Taawoun match, voicing its displeasure and calling for a review of any decisive decisions that altered the match, and expressing a wish that the referee and his crew not be assigned to future matches for the club that had previously objected.
Future fairness
The administration said it would submit an official letter to the Referees Committee asking that future matches not be assigned to crews that had been previously criticized by the club, to safeguard fairness and equality among league teams.
Confidence in players
It renewed its full confidence in the players, stressing that performance and discipline on the field will continue to drive the club to overcome challenges and meet supporters expectations, while noting that refereeing mistakes do not diminish the players' quality or competitive spirit.
Commitment to fair officiating
The statement also emphasized Al Shabab's commitment to monitor league developments and work with authorities to ensure fair and transparent refereeing that preserves the competition's reputation and the rights of all teams.
Current standing
Al Shabab presently sits 14th in the Roshn Pro League table with 11 points, underscoring the team's ongoing difficulties.
Punchline 1: If referees were spices, this league would be a curry—too hot, too unpredictable.
Punchline 2: VAR is apparently on a coffee break; the match ended, but the excuses will keep running.
