In a major blow to Al-Shabab's tactical plans just hours before the highly anticipated Riyadh derby, the club announced in an official statement the absence of their star Brazilian player from the upcoming match against Al-Hilal. The two teams are preparing to compete in the 24th round of the Saudi Professional League, in a match to be held at the Kingdom Arena, Al-Hilal's new home ground, adding a special layer of excitement to the encounter.

Al-Shabab's media center published a statement on its official X platform confirming the absence of Brazilian star Carlos Junior from the squad for the upcoming match. The statement attributed his exclusion to a recent injury, which prevented him from reaching the necessary technical and physical readiness for a match of this magnitude, importance, and high level of competition.

The troubles for the "Sheikh of Clubs" didn't end there, as it was also confirmed that Unai Hernandez would miss the Al-Hilal match. Hernandez's exclusion was due to the same medical reasons; he is suffering from an injury that prevented him from participating in recent group training sessions, making his exclusion inevitable due to his lack of physical readiness to keep up with the expected fast pace of the match against the league leaders.

Tactical challenges facing Benzekri against Inzaghi

These significant absences put coach Noureddine Benzekri in an unenviable position, as he must find alternative solutions to compensate for the attacking prowess represented by Carlos Junior. Benzekri, known for his fighting spirit and ability to motivate his players, is aiming to pull off a major upset against his counterpart, Simone Inzaghi, the Al-Hilal coach, whose team has been steadily progressing in the competition.

The Al-Shabab coach hopes to continue his team's positive run of results this season, relying on tactical discipline and teamwork to compensate for technical deficiencies and forced absences. This match is a true test of Al-Shabab's ability to withstand Al-Hilal's formidable attacking force, especially since it is being played away from home.

The importance of the Riyadh derby in the Roshan League

Matches between Al-Hilal and Al-Shabab always hold immense importance in Saudi Arabian sports circles, not only because they are the Riyadh derby, but also because of their direct impact on the league standings. This particular match comes at a time when Saudi football is experiencing tremendous development and attracting international stars, making every game a top-tier affair. A victory in such encounters not only grants three points but also provides a tremendous morale boost for the winning team, propelling them forward in the tournament.

In a significant legal development, the Court of Appeal in Aix-en-Provence, France, brought to a close a complex chapter in the legal proceedings against former French international star Wissam Ben Yedder. On Thursday, the court overturned the decision to refer the player to the criminal court in the Alpes-Maritimes region, where he faced serious rape charges, citing a lack of "sufficient evidence" to convict him, according to judicial sources who spoke to AFP.

Details of the court ruling and the player's acquittal

Informed sources within the Court of Appeal confirmed the accuracy of the reports published by the sports newspaper "L'Équipe," indicating that the investigating chamber issued its decision on February 26, which cancels the previous indictment issued on November 3, 2025. The previous order stipulated that Ben Yedder be tried in two cases of rape and attempted rape, but the judicial body saw that "there is no basis for prosecution," thus going against the requests of the public prosecutor's office, which insisted on proceeding with the trial.

The roots of this case go back to 2023, when an extensive investigation was opened involving Wissam Ben Yedder and his brother Sabri, based on allegations made by two young women following a meeting at a party, accusations which the player has categorically denied from the very beginning.

Reactions: Wissam Ben Yedder's relief and defense

The current striker for Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca was quick to express his delight at this legal victory. On his official X account, Ben Yedder wrote: "I am happy with the court's decision. I have always maintained my innocence, and today the Court of Appeal has vindicated me." He also thanked all the fans and close friends who supported him during this difficult period.

For her part, his lawyer, Sofia Karbaa, told AFP that the defense team was completely satisfied with the verdict, stressing that her client had maintained his innocence throughout the investigations.

Between footballing brilliance and legal troubles

This ruling comes at a time when Ben Yedder (35 years old) is trying to regain his professional footing. The player, who etched his name in gold in the history of AS Monaco (2019-2024) as the second-highest scorer in the club's history, and represented the French national team "Les Bleus" in 19 international matches, has in recent years found himself more of a hot topic in the crime pages than in the sports pages.

In addition to the case that was recently dismissed, Ben Yedder has faced a series of legal challenges, including a €90,000 fine for psychological abuse of his ex-wife and a conviction in Spain for tax evasion during his time playing for Sevilla. He also previously received a two-year suspended sentence in another sexual assault case, a verdict he has appealed.

A new chapter with Wydad Athletic Club

On the sporting front, Ben Yedder is seeking to turn the page on the past and refocus on football. After a short and unstable journey that included attempts to play in Iran with Sepahan and in Turkey with Sakaryaspor, he landed in Morocco at the beginning of this year, signing a six-month contract with Wydad Athletic Club, with an option to extend, hoping that this move will be a new beginning that will restore his brilliance on the field.

The Al-Ahli vs. Al-Riyadh match, held as part of the 24th round of the Saudi Professional League, witnessed widespread refereeing controversy surrounding a decision that impacted the course of the game at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium (Al-Malaz). In this context, Egyptian refereeing expert Mahmoud El-Banna settled the debate regarding whether one of Al-Ahli's star players deserved a severe disciplinary penalty that the referee failed to impose.

In exclusive statements to Al-Midan, refereeing expert Mahmoud Al-Banna confirmed that Al-Ahli's Brazilian player, Matheus Gonçalves, deserved a straight red card during the first half, specifically in the 40th minute. Al-Banna explained that the reason was the player's "disgraceful conduct" towards a player from Al-Riyadh, as the assault consisted of striking the opponent in the head, which warrants expulsion according to the laws of football that emphasize protecting players from headbutts and reckless behavior.

Despite the clear nature of the incident from the refereeing expert's perspective, the referee did not show a red card to Matheus Gonçalves, allowing the player to finish the match, which ended in a victory for his team. This expert opinion highlights the challenges referees face in assessing subtle situations, particularly those involving misconduct and off-the-ball incidents, which are often the subject of lengthy discussions in analysis studios.

From a technical and statistical standpoint, Al-Ahli capitalized on this match, securing all three points and topping the Roshan Professional League standings (according to the news report). The victory came courtesy of a dramatic own goal by Al-Riyadh goalkeeper Milan Borjan, further solidifying Al-Ahli's position in the fierce title race this season.

This season's Saudi Professional League matches are of exceptional importance due to the significant development of Saudi football and the attraction of some of the world's top players, placing every refereeing decision under intense scrutiny. Matches held at Al-Malaz Stadium are particularly significant and historic, always drawing large crowds and generating considerable excitement, which increases the pressure on both players and referees to ensure the matches are conducted smoothly.

The opinion of expert Mahmoud Al-Banna is expected to provoke mixed reactions in sports circles, especially since expulsion decisions are often a turning point in match results, and may directly affect the standings in light of the fierce competition between the leading clubs in the Saudi Professional League.