In a surprising and noteworthy move, Al-Hilal's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, decided to include young defender Murad Hawsawi in the squad that will face Al-Fayha in the 17th round of the Saudi Professional League. This decision represents a significant morale boost for the player and an important strengthening of the coach's defensive options at a crucial stage of the season.

Background and time context of the return

Jesus's decision came after recent medical tests confirmed Murad Hawsawi's full fitness. The player had been sidelined for a considerable period due to an injury sustained while playing for the Saudi national team in the Arab Cup held in Qatar. Returning from such a long-term injury is a challenge in itself, but Hawsawi's determination and commitment to the treatment and rehabilitation program resulted in his return to group training with his teammates, convincing the coaching staff of his ability to contribute again.

The importance of the decision and its impact on the team

This decision is particularly significant given Al Hilal's exceptional season, as the team comfortably leads the Roshan League standings and delivers high-level performances both domestically and continentally. Hawsawi's return provides coach Jorge Jesus with strategic depth in defense and offers him an additional option for squad rotation, which is crucial for avoiding fatigue and injuries amidst a demanding schedule and competition on multiple fronts, including the AFC Champions League and the King's Cup. Furthermore, promoting young players and promising talents like Hawsawi aligns with the club's future vision of building a strong and sustainable team.

Future aspirations and facing Al-Fayhaa

Al-Hilal enters its match against Al-Fayha with high morale after its recent 2-1 victory over Neom in the King's Cup. The team aims to continue its winning streak in the league to maintain its lead and widen the gap with its closest rivals. The return of Murad Hawsawi, even if he doesn't start, is expected to be a message of confidence from the coach in all members of the squad, confirming that the door is open to anyone who proves their worth in training. This will raise the level of healthy competition among the players and benefit the team as a whole.

In one of the most controversial moments during the seventeenth round of the Saudi Professional League, the well-known Jordanian refereeing expert, Ahmed Abu Khadija, settled the controversy surrounding Al-Nasr Club’s right to a penalty kick during its important match against Damac Club, which was held on the grounds of Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports Stadium.

The incident occurred when Al-Nassr stars, led by Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammate Abdulrahman Ghareeb, demanded a penalty kick after a handball by a Damac defender inside the penalty area. The players' protest sparked debate among observers regarding the referee's decision to allow play to continue.

In an exclusive statement to Al-Midan Al-Riyadi, refereeing expert Ahmed Abu Khadija offered his decisive technical analysis, stating: “The referee’s decision not to award a penalty to Al-Nassr against Damac was 100% correct .” Abu Khadija explained his reasoning, saying: “The ball was played by a teammate to the defender from very close range. In such situations, there is no opportunity to pull the hand away or avoid the ball, and therefore, the handball was not considered intentional according to the Laws of the Game. The referee’s decision to allow play to continue was correct and in accordance with the recent amendments to the handball law.”

General context and importance of the match in the Roshan League

This match comes amidst the intense competition of the Saudi Professional League, which has garnered global attention after attracting major international stars. Every point is crucial in the title race, and Al-Nassr is considered one of the top contenders, making every refereeing decision in their matches subject to intense scrutiny from the media and fans. These controversial incidents add to the excitement of the league and highlight the immense pressure placed on referees managing matches of this magnitude.

Expected impact and importance of arbitration analysis

Refereeing decisions, especially in major matches, have a direct impact on the outcome and the course of the league competition. Although Al-Nassr secured the victory with a goal scored by Abdulrahman Ghareeb after a decisive pass from Angelo Gabriel, such incidents remain a topic of discussion in sporting circles. The role of refereeing experts like Ahmed Abu Khadija is crucial in providing objective analysis based on the Laws of the Game, contributing to public awareness, calming heated debates, and emphasizing the importance of understanding the details of the law to avoid misinterpretations.