In a surprising development within the England national team, "The Touchline" revealed a major setback for Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham at the hands of the Three Lions' new manager, Thomas Tuchel . This news casts a shadow over the team's preparations for the upcoming stage, confirming that the new era under Tuchel will prioritize performance and contribution on the pitch over big names.

A clear threat and a new competitor

The report clarified that Bellingham was officially and directly informed that he was no longer a "guaranteed" starter for the England national team. Tuchel, known for his tactical strictness and high level of discipline, emphasized that the Real Madrid star's participation in upcoming international matches depended entirely on a tangible and consistent improvement in his performance. The German coach didn't stop at a verbal warning; he explicitly indicated a ready replacement, with the report mentioning the possibility of replacing Bellingham with the rising star Morgan Rogers , should Bellingham fail to meet expectations during the preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

The Tuchel era... no room for niceties

This warning comes amidst the radical changes Thomas Tuchel has been implementing since taking over as England manager. The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss is seeking to impose a style of play based on physicality and strict tactical discipline. Tuchel is known for his willingness to make bold decisions, including dropping star players if they don't fit into the team's system. This puts Bellingham under immense pressure to prove himself again, despite being one of the leading Ballon d'Or contenders in recent seasons.

The road to the 2026 World Cup

These warnings take on paramount importance as major international competitions approach, most notably the qualifiers and preparations for the 2026 World Cup . The English FA and the fans understand that the next objective is to win trophies after years of coming close and missing out at the final hurdle. Therefore, Tuchel's message to Bellingham goes beyond being a personal warning; it's a general message to all the national team players that the sole criterion for wearing the England jersey is complete readiness and a willingness to fight for the team. This opens the door for young talents like Morgan Rodgers to seize their full opportunity should the senior players falter.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation's Referees Committee announced today that a German refereeing team, led by international referee Sven Jabloski, to officiate the highly anticipated match between Al-Qadisiyah and Al-Fateh, as part of the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League.

A career full of numbers and cards

German referee Sven Jabłoski, 35, has extensive field experience, having received his international badge from FIFA in 2022. The numbers reveal a strict refereeing personality for the German referee, as he has a rich record in European and international stadiums.

According to official statistics, Jabloski has officiated approximately 409 matches throughout his refereeing career so far. These matches saw a high number of cards issued, with 1,442 yellow cards shown and 58 red cards shown. He also awarded 95 penalties, demonstrating his firmness in enforcing the rules within the penalty area and his zero tolerance for violent tackles.

Fourth appearance in Saudi stadiums

This isn't Jabloski's first appearance in the Saudi Professional League; it's his fourth, reflecting the referees committee's confidence in his abilities and familiarity with the nature of Saudi competitions. He has previously officiated three high-profile league matches, including Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Taawoun, Damac vs. Al-Hilal, and Al-Akhdoud vs. Al-Wehda.

Attracting the elite and the context of foreign arbitration

The appointment of Jabloski comes as part of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's ongoing strategy to attract elite referees from Europe's top five leagues to officiate crucial matches in the Saudi league. This move aims to ensure the highest levels of fairness and integrity in the competition, especially given the tremendous development of the Saudi league and its attraction of some of the world's brightest football stars, which has intensified the competition and made every point count in the standings.

The importance of facing Al-Qadisiyah and Al-Fateh

The Al-Qadisiyah vs. Al-Fateh match holds particular importance for both teams at this stage of the season. Al-Qadisiyah, bolstered by strong signings and high ambitions, aims to solidify its position in the mid-table and compete for a higher ranking, while Al-Fateh seeks to improve its standing and move away from the relegation zone. The presence of the experienced and strict referee, Jabloski, is a reassuring factor in controlling the pace of the match and ensuring a smooth and fair game.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation's Referees Committee officially announced the refereeing teams that will officiate Saturday's matches, part of the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League for the current 2025-2026 season. This announcement comes as part of the transparency and organizational arrangements preceding the kickoff of the anticipated matches.

Intense clashes in round 21

Three important matches will be held in the Kingdom's stadiums today, the results of which may directly affect the league standings, with attention focused on the following encounters:

• Al-Qadisiyah vs. Al-Fateh: A match in which both sides seek to snatch the three points to improve their positions in the safe zone.
• Al-Taawoun vs. Al-Khaleej: A match that is always competitive, as Al-Taawoun aims to continue its strong performances, while Al-Khaleej hopes to achieve a positive result away from home.
• Al-Kholoud vs. Al-Shabab: An anticipated match in which Al-Shabab’s “Al-Laith” will be a tough guest for Al-Kholoud, in a match that cannot be divided between the two teams’ ambitions.

The importance of arbitration in the decisive stages

Round 21 is of paramount importance as it falls in the second third of the season, a stage where the title race and relegation battle begin to take shape. Therefore, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation places great emphasis on selecting top referees, whether from local talent or by bringing in foreign referees for high-profile matches, to ensure the highest levels of fairness and integrity in officiating.

The development of the Roshan League and global following

The Saudi Professional League (Roshan League) is experiencing an unprecedented boom, both technically and in terms of marketing, placing every match under the global spotlight. This significant development places a greater responsibility on referees, as they rely heavily on Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology to assist them in making accurate decisions and minimizing human error that impacts match results.

The context of the competition this season

The 2025-2026 season is characterized by the close competition between the mid-table and top clubs, making today's matches crucial. Al-Shabab aims to solidify its place among the elite, while Al-Taawoun's consistent performances make it a formidable opponent. Meanwhile, clubs like Al-Fateh, Al-Khaleej, Al-Kholoud, and Al-Qadisiyah are battling to secure their positions and avoid relegation, promising exciting and competitive matches under what we hope will be successful refereeing.