In an incident that raised many questions in Saudi sports circles, Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, manager of Al-Nassr, was absent from the post-match press conference following the fiery derby against Al-Ittihad. This absence came after the match between the two teams at Al-Awwal Park Stadium, part of the eleventh round of the Saudi Professional League, marking his second consecutive absence from official media appearances.

Sources revealed that the main reason behind Jorge Jesus's absence from the pre-match press conference for the Al-Nassr vs. Al-Ittihad game was an administrative decision by the club's management, coupled with the coach's show of solidarity with the team's captain, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo. This solidarity serves as a clear message expressing dissatisfaction with the team's performance during the last winter transfer window and the accompanying challenges that impacted the strategy for strengthening the squad to compete for domestic and continental titles.

In terms of both result and performance, Al-Nassr successfully overcame Al-Ittihad with distinction, securing a 2-0 victory. The match was characterized by technical and tactical dominance, reflecting the team's readiness for this major encounter, considered one of the most important matches of the season in Saudi football, given the intense historical and popular rivalry between the two clubs.

Matches between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad are of paramount importance not only locally but also regionally, attracting widespread attention due to the caliber of the stars on both teams. This victory strengthens Al-Nassr's position in the standings, bringing their points tally to 49 in the Roshan Professional League this season and marking their second consecutive win. This provides a significant morale boost for the players and coaching staff as they continue their pursuit of the top spot.

It is worth noting that press conferences in the Roshan League have gained unprecedented global attention, in light of the qualitative shift that Saudi sports are witnessing, which makes the absence of a figure of the stature of coach Jesus an event that requires pausing to consider and analyzing its implications regarding the relationship between the technical management and the circumstances surrounding the team.

Jordanian refereeing expert Ahmed Abu Khadija settled the widespread controversy surrounding the top match of the 21st round of the Roshan Professional League, which pitted Al-Nassr against Al-Ittihad at Al-Nassr Park and ended with a valuable 2-0 victory for Al-Nassr. The match witnessed a refereeing decision that sparked much debate in sporting circles and on social media platforms, concerning the validity of the penalty awarded to the home team.

In an exclusive statement to Al-Midan Al-Riyadi, Abu Khadija definitively confirmed the referee's decision, saying: "Yes, it was a correct penalty kick for Al-Nasr. The defender's hand position was unnatural, and there was a clear enlargement of his body, which warranted the penalty." This clarification puts an end to the speculation that questioned the legitimacy of the decision, which significantly influenced the outcome of the match.

Technically, Al-Nassr dominated the derby, securing a 2-0 victory. Angelo Gabriel opened the scoring, before Senegalese star Sadio Mane doubled the lead, confirming Al-Nassr's superiority in this crucial encounter.

The importance of El Clásico and its impact on the title race

This match holds special significance beyond just the three points; encounters between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad are among the most prominent in Saudi and Arab football, always characterized by intense rivalry and huge fan excitement. A victory in such a match provides the team with a tremendous morale boost for the remainder of the league campaign, especially given the fierce competition this season.

In terms of the league standings, this victory has intensified the competition for the Roshan Professional League title, as Al-Nassr's points tally rose to 49, strengthening their hold on second place and narrowing the gap with league leaders Al-Hilal to just one point. This close competition suggests a very exciting end to the season, where there is no room for error in the remaining rounds.

It is worth noting that refereeing decisions in major matches are always under intense scrutiny, given the sensitivity of these encounters and their direct impact on the course of the tournament. The opinions of refereeing experts are crucial in educating the public and clarifying controversial situations according to the Laws of the Game as approved by FIFA.

Brazilian star Fabinho Tavares, the midfielder for Al-Ittihad's first football team, sparked widespread controversy in Saudi sports circles following the end of the Clasico match that brought his team together with Al-Nasr, due to the refereeing decisions that took place during the strong encounter in the twenty-first round of the Roshan Professional League competition.

In a televised interview with Channel 8, Fabinho expressed his strong displeasure with the penalty awarded to Al-Nassr, stating that the decision was hasty and lacked proper review. Fabinho said, "The penalty awarded to Al-Nassr during the Al-Ittihad match should have been reviewed by the referee using VAR to confirm its validity. He shouldn't have awarded it so quickly." He emphasized that this decision caused him considerable anger during the match.

The Brazilian star did not just talk about the refereeing, but also sent a direct and reassuring message to the fans of "Al-Ittihad", as he continued, saying: "We promise the fans of Al-Ittihad Club to improve the results during the coming period, and to work hard to put the team in an advanced position in the standings of the Roshan Professional League this season, and we thank them for the great support and continuous backing they showed during today’s match despite the result.".

These statements come amidst a highly anticipated clash, as the Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Nassr derby is considered one of the most important and prestigious matches in Saudi and Gulf football, given the long history of rivalry between the two clubs and their immense popularity. The match, held at Al-Ittihad's home ground, ended with Al-Nassr winning 2-0, a result that has significant implications for the league standings, as both teams strive to solidify their positions at the top to secure a place in continental competitions and compete for the title.

The Saudi Professional League (Roshan League) has gained unprecedented global prominence in its current season, particularly after attracting a host of world-class football stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Fabinho himself. This has placed every match and every refereeing decision under intense scrutiny by local and international media. Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology is considered a fundamental component of fair play in major matches, and therefore, any disregard for it or controversy surrounding its use provokes widespread reactions, especially in crucial matches whose outcome directly impacts the course of the championship.

It is worth noting that Al-Ittihad's loss in this round puts the team under additional pressure to correct its course in the upcoming rounds, in response to the aspirations of its large fan base, who will not be satisfied with anything less than championship podiums, which is what Fabinho pledged at the end of his speech.