Ten Red Cards, One Derby: Alguacil Demands Referee Fair Play Ahead of Saudi Showdown

Alguacil Seeks a Fair Whistle Before the Derby

Spanish coach Emmanuel Alguacil, who leads Al-Shabab’s youth side, addressed the referee situation surrounding his team as they prepare for a Saudi Pro League clash against Al-Nassr. He highlighted a pattern of refereeing decisions he believes have unfairly affected his players’ chances, noting ten red cards across recent matches.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Saturday game at Al-Awwal Park, Alguacil explained that having multiple players sent off early in games has hindered their ability to express themselves on the field. He pointed to the challenge of competing with a depleted squad while trying to maintain a strong, cohesive identity.

"Our team has faced ten dismissals; that’s unusual and not the way we want to win games," he said. "Red cards early in the match prevent us from showing our true character, but in our recent fixtures we’ve worked hard to avoid further numerical disadvantages and we’ve shown a strong personality and spirit against Neom and Al-Qadsia."

Alguacil also addressed rumors about the match official for the upcoming fixture against Al-Nassr, seemingly directed at referee Mohammed Al-Huwaish. He offered a direct, respectful message to the official, wishing him well on the day and avoiding blame for the team’s results overall.

On the derby itself, he described it as a clash that every player and coach enjoys, albeit with tougher recovery prospects due to condensed fixtures. He noted that his squad has just two days to prepare for the Al-Nassr game after facing Neom midweek, adding that the timetable makes everything more demanding as teams compete every few days.

Since taking charge, Alguacil has prioritized integrating younger players and has seen more names called up to youth national teams than rivals. He stressed that this is not an excuse, but a responsibility he carries, and he emphasized his trust in both foreign and local players as they navigate a period when the team isn’t operating at its normal level.

Regarding transfers, he said he has reviewed the summer signings and acknowledged ongoing discussions in the current window, noting that not all newcomers were his first-choice targets and that most didn’t have a full pre-season with the team. He remains confident in the squad as they balance short-term goals with long-term development, even as the window remains open and new names could join in key positions.

Al-Shabab secured their first league victory in 11 matches last round, beating Neom 3-2 to end a 124-day winless run. Alguacil closed by reiterating a collective commitment to growth and resilience as the team heads into the busy period ahead.

Looking Ahead to the Derby and Squad Realities

The upcoming Al-Nassr vs. Al-Shabab matchup is framed as a true test of depth, tact, and composure under pressure. With the transfer window still open and questions over who will remain or depart, the coach’s priority remains fielding a capable group that can meet the demands of a demanding fixture slate.

Ultimately, Alguacil’s message to his players and the broader staff is clear: stay focused, stay disciplined, and trust the plan, even if the cards seem to be against you.

Humor break: If referees handed out cards like flyers, we’d all have season passes to the red-card club. Punchline two: My fantasy team would be the only one that actually reads the rulebook—before deciding how many cards to give out in mercy, of course.