Al-Hilal launch scathing attack on Saudi Pro League referees after frustrating draw with Al-Riyadh

In the wake of Friday's 1-1 draw with Al-Riyadh, leaving the champions a point behind leaders Al-Ittihad having played a game more, Al -Hilal issued a strongly-worded statement criticising the officiating. Al-Hilal expressed a strong desire to see "foreign refereeing crews" that are "known in major global leagues" imported into Saudi Arabian football.

Although the statement was prompted by two potential penalies that were not awarded, even after VAR reviews, Al-Hilal insist those are only the "latest incidents" in a "series of refereeing cases", accusing officials of a reluctance when it comes to overturning on-field decisions.

Al Hilal said: "Al-Hilal Club wishes to express its astonishment at the suspicious refereering decisions witnessed in the first-team's match in the Roshn Saudi Pro League, despite the presence of the latest technologies to assist in making fair decisions. The latest incidents occurred in the team's recent match against Al-Riyadh Club, where two penalty kicks, clearly validated by VAR footage from multiple angles, were ignored. This is part of a series of refereeing cases characterized by their obstinacy, with a reluctance to revert to VAR technology or two award penalties, despite the clarity of the situation.

"The club clarifies that its stance remains firm on the importance of bringing in foreign refereeing crews to officiate its matches, provided they are top-tier referees known in major global leagues. The club hopes that it will not penalized by the recruitment of obscure referees as a result of its rejection of the demands by Manuel Navarro, Chairman of the Referees Committee of the Saudi Football Federation, who has repeatedly asked the club's officials to revert to Saudi referees."

Al-Hilal have a midweek AFC Champions League game against Emirati club Al-Wasl coming up, before a huge top-of-the-table Saudi Pro League clash with Al-Ittihad, who could go four points clear if they beat Al-Wehda on Saturday evening. With the last two Saudi champions going head to head, it has the potential to be a major moment in the title race.