Ivan Toney launched a scathing attack on the integrity of officiating in the Saudi Pro League, according to multiple reports. Toney claimed his side Al-Ahli were denied several penalties in their 1-1 draw against Al-Fayha, and he suggested refereeing decisions are benefiting Al-Nassr, who are chasing Al-Ahli in the league standings. Toney alleged that when Al-Ahli players tried to talk to the referee, they were told to focus on the AFC Champions League instead, according to multiple reports.
Toney shared videos of three penalty appeals on social media and claimed it is clear what is being influenced here, according to multiple reports. Al-Ahli had two penalties denied against Al-Fayha after VAR reviews, according to other sources. Galeno alleged the Saudi Pro League wants to hand the trophy to one person, implying Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr, according to multiple reports.
I think the very big talking point was the two penalties, it is as clear as day. I don’t know what more you want him to do, if you pick the ball up with two hands are you going to give a penalty or not?
Al-Ahli expressed deep dissatisfaction with refereeing errors in the match against Al-Fayha and demanded explanations, according to multiple reports. Al-Ahli urged the league to release recordings between officials and players during the match, according to multiple reports. Al-Ahli is in third position in the Saudi Pro League, two points behind Al-Nassr, who have a game in hand, according to multiple reports.
The Saudi refereeing committee listened to all conversations during the match and found no evidence of biased decisions, according to other sources. The specific incidents that led to the two denied penalty appeals for Al-Ahli against Al-Fayha have not been detailed publicly. The exact context and wording of the referee's comments to Al-Ahli players about focusing on the AFC Champions League are unclear.
When we tried to talk to the referee, he told us to ‘focus on the AFC [Champions League]. How can the referee say this? We are talking about now and he is saying to focus on the AFC.
It is unknown whether the Saudi Pro League will release the recordings between officials and players as demanded by Al-Ahli. The actions, if any, that the league will take in response to the allegations made by Toney and Galeno are also pending. How this dispute will affect team dynamics, referee performances, and fan perceptions in upcoming games could shape the championship's conclusion.
This controversy has broader implications for the Saudi Pro League's credibility and the relationships between players, clubs, and referees.
If you want me to go deeper, I can go deeper, it might get me into trouble but I am a man that says it how it is. There are clear talking points with the referee, but his mind is elsewhere. Throughout the season, it was a clear penalty but now we get to the crunch time and they change it.
We know who, who are we chasing?
It's actually crazy how you can miss things like this in crucial moments or chose to turn a blind eye. It's clear what is being influenced here. Also with the referee telling us to concentrate on a different competition while VAR is going on is beyond me. Add to that with the referee agreeing that the first one was a penalty in the 90+ minute like that’s going to help. I am probably the bad guy for speaking some truths and pointing out questionable decisions or s*** refereeing.
Hand over the trophy, that's what they want, they want to knock us out of the championship by any means necessary, they want to hand the trophy to one person, a total lack of respect for our club.
I think the big talking point is the two penalties. It is obvious. Do we get a penalty if he picks up the ball with two hands? If you want me to go deeper into it, I can do that. I might get into trouble, but I am a man who says things as they are. There are things the referee clearly has to decide, but his head is somewhere else. Throughout the season, that would have been clear penalties, and now they change it.
We know who. Who are we chasing?
Give them the trophy. That's what they want. They want us to be rid of the championship by all possible means. They want to give the trophy to one single person. It is a total lack of respect for our club.