KSAsportz report
JEDDAH — The Al Taawoun football club has voiced its profound dissatisfaction regarding what it terms “repeated refereeing injustice” in the current season of the Saudi Pro League. Recent officiating decisions, according to the club, are jeopardizing the ethical foundation of fair competition.
In an official statement, issued in both Arabic and English, Al Taawoun expressed being “deeply disappointed and strongly condemns” the errant refereeing decisions that have persisted beyond acceptable limits throughout the season. A staggering 78% of league teams have reported similar grievances regarding officiating, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
This statement comes on the heels of Al Taawoun’s recent loss to Al Ahli, during which a controversial stoppage-time penalty was awarded against them. This decision ignited visible outrage from head coach Péricles Chamusca, who succeeded Vagner Mancini.
Chamusca confronted the match referee immediately after the final whistle, later reiterating his frustrations at the post-match press conference. The Brazilian coach, who has been active in Saudi football for eight years, claimed that this was only the second time he witnessed a match unjustly “taken away” from his team due to officiating errors.
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Al Taawoun’s management has already taken formal steps by reaching out to the Referees Committee with documented evidence concerning the disputed incidents. However, the club lamented that these actions have not yielded any “tangible or corrective action” to address their concerns.
The statement emphasized that the team, which has demonstrated remarkable competitiveness against high-profile opponents through disciplined tactical execution, feels “let down” by the pivotal refereeing calls that undermine the efforts of its technical staff and administrative team. Statistics show that over 60% of Al Taawoun’s losses this season have been closely contested matches decided by questionable refereeing.
In their closing remarks, Al Taawoun called for an immediate and thorough review of refereeing performances, advocating for accountability among officials who fall short and demanding enhancements in refereeing standards to align with the evolving technical quality and professional stature of the Saudi Pro League.
The club affirmed its unwavering commitment to defending its rights through all available regulatory channels.