Belgian international goalkeeper Koen Casteels, the goalkeeper for Al-Qadisiyah club, sparked a storm of controversy with fiery statements following the exciting 2-2 draw his team achieved against Al-Hilal, in the match that brought them together at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium as part of the nineteenth round of the Saudi Professional League.

In his statements to the official broadcaster, Castilles did not hide his displeasure with some of the refereeing decisions, which he considered to have directly affected the outcome of the match. He stated clearly: “Mohammed Kanno deserved a straight red card in the first half for his tackle on Nahitan Nandez. We don’t know why the referee didn’t consult VAR to review the incident and issue the deserved red card .

The brilliant goalkeeper's objections did not stop there, but extended to Al-Hilal's second goal, as he added: “Before Al-Hilal scored their second goal, a foul was called against us by an incorrect decision, as the ball was in fact a corner kick in our favor. If the refereeing decisions had been different, the course of the match and its result would certainly have been different.”.

The overall context of the match and Castilles' brilliance

These statements came after a match that featured a heroic performance from Castilles himself, who was the star of the first leg with his crucial saves, most notably a brilliant penalty stop that kept his team's hopes alive. This draw is a valuable point for Al-Qadisiyah against the league leaders and one of the strongest teams on the continent, highlighting the significant development and fierce competition that now characterize the Roshan League.

The importance of the event and its expected impact

Domestically, this incident has reignited the debate surrounding refereeing performance and the role of VAR in the Saudi League, an issue that sparks considerable discussion among fans and analysts with each passing round. The comments from a player of Castilles' stature and extensive European experience are expected to increase pressure on the referees' committee to review the performance and ensure more precise application of the protocols. As for the league standings, Al-Hilal's loss of two points could jeopardize their title aspirations, while the draw provides a significant morale boost for Al-Qadisiyah in their league campaign.

Internationally, and with the growing global interest in the Saudi Roshan League thanks to its attraction of big stars, such controversial refereeing events are subject to greater scrutiny from the media and followers around the world, which affects the image and reputation of the competition that seeks to be among the best international leagues.

Following a thrilling match that halted Al Hilal's historic winning streak, Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, the club's manager, spoke about the draw against Al Qadisiyah in the Saudi Professional League match held at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium. Jesus's comments outlined his vision for the upcoming phase and clarified his perspective on the team's performance under intense pressure and fierce competition.

Background and importance of the match

Al-Hilal enters this match enjoying a golden period, having achieved a record-breaking winning streak both domestically and internationally. This impressive run has placed significant pressure on the team to maintain their performance and results. On the other hand, Al-Qadisiyah is known for its strength and resilience at home, making this match a true test of Al-Hilal's ability to cope with a well-organized defense and a highly motivated team playing against the league leaders. Therefore, the draw was not just a loss of two points, but a significant event given the intense competition in the Saudi League this season.

Jesus's analysis of the match

In the post-match press conference, Jesus offered his assessment, saying: “Today we played an excellent match against a strong and difficult team. Al-Qadsia showed great organization and were a tough opponent, especially considering their recent run of positive results. We are proud of our performance, particularly in the second half where we created numerous chances.” The Portuguese coach added: “Al-Qadsia performs very well at home, and missing a penalty during the match certainly had an impact. But that’s football, and we still have statistics that favor us and confirm our overall superiority.”.

Supporting the players and future plans

Jesus addressed the performance of Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, defending his pivotal role in the team: “Mitrovic is performing excellently; he’s a player who contributes significantly to the team as a whole. It’s not necessary for a striker to score in every match; there’s a team effort involved, and our ultimate goal is to win. We’re happy with our overall performance and the chances we’ve created.” Regarding the transfer window, Jesus praised the club’s management, saying: “The transfer situation? Al-Hilal’s management is operating professionally and providing full support to the team. We’re working to strengthen the squad, and we’ll likely look to reinforce the right-back position. We have complete confidence that the management will make the right decision at the right time to ensure the team’s continued strength and competitiveness in all competitions.”.

Brendan Rodgers, the manager of Al-Qadisiyah FC, expressed his outrage at the refereeing performance in his team's match against Al-Hilal, which ended in a draw in the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam. In a heated press conference, the Northern Irish coach launched a scathing attack on the refereeing team, asserting that their decisions directly impacted the outcome of the match and cost his team two valuable points.

Background and importance of the match

This encounter comes amidst an exceptional season for the Saudi Professional League, which has garnered global attention thanks to attracting international stars and top-tier coaches like Rodgers himself. Al-Hilal, with its rich history of domestic and continental achievements, represents the pinnacle of Saudi football, making any positive result against them a significant gain for any team. For its part, Al-Qadisiyah, under Rodgers' leadership, aims to build a strong identity and establish itself among the elite, a point the coach emphasized in his statements.

Rodgers' perspective on the refereeing errors

Rodgers unleashed his fury on the referee, saying, “We played with great intensity and put the opposition under pressure. It bothers me that the referee was so poor, and I don’t usually comment on refereeing.” He focused his criticism on Al-Hilal’s second goal, which he believes came from an incorrect corner kick, adding, “Al-Hilal’s second goal came from a corner kick that should have been ours. The referee was far from the play, so how could he have made the decision? A match of this magnitude called for a higher-caliber officiating crew.”.

Rodgers' objections didn't stop there. He also addressed another incident involving Al-Hilal player Mohamed Kanno, asking, "Is Kanno only given a yellow card for headbutting our player? I don't think this decision is fair; it's another refereeing error that changed the course of the match." He also expressed his astonishment at the referee's refusal to allow the fourth official to intervene, saying, "The referee refused the fourth official's intervention, claiming he wasn't part of his officiating team. So what's the point of having him?".

Praise for the team spirit and identity of Al-Qadisiyah

Despite the bitterness of the result, Rodgers was keen to praise his players' heroic performance. He said, "The players performed at a high level and we showed an identity we are proud of. We played against big teams like Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Hilal with great intensity to create a strong identity for Al-Qadisiyah." He added that his team was tactically superior for much of the match and managed to play out from the back effectively despite Al-Hilal's pressure.

Expected impact and dimensions of the issue

The comments from a coach of Brendan Rodgers' stature highlight the level of refereeing in the Saudi League, which faces a significant challenge in keeping pace with the tremendous improvement in player quality and competitiveness. These criticisms are expected to spark widespread debate within Saudi sporting circles and may prompt the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's referees committee to review certain incidents and evaluate the performance of refereeing teams in upcoming rounds to ensure the integrity of the competition and the league's international reputation.