Cristiano Ronaldo ‘faces’ manipulation and cheating claims after Al-Ahli VAR row | OneFootball

Saudi refereeing is under intense scrutiny after Al-Ahli drew 1-1 with Al-Fayha in the 29th round. The result left Al-Ahli on 66 points and under pressure in the title race, as Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal enter the decisive run-in.

During the match, the referee reviewed incidents via VAR but declined two Al-Ahli penalty appeals, including one in the dying moments. Refereeing analysts argued at least one should have been awarded, and the club’s management issued an official statement condemning the officiating. The Daily Mail reports that Cristiano Ronaldo is at the centre of allegations of manipulation and cheating to secure the Roshen Professional League title.

The Al-Ahli controversy, plus Ivan Toney’s post-match remarks, has intensified the debate. Toney accused the referee of favouring Al Nassr and said the referee urged players to forget the league and focus on the AFC Champions League.

Yasser also alleged the match had been taken from Al-Ahli and that the referee told them to forget the league. He said decisions given all season suddenly disappeared at a critical moment, and he urged the Referees’ Committee to review recordings.

Head coach Matthias Jaissle echoed those claims, stating the referee had told his players to forget the league and concentrate on the Asian Champions League.

Accusations have since circulated that Ronaldo and team-mates may have rigged matches. Al-Nassr lead on 70 points, two ahead of Al-Hilal and four clear of Al-Ahli, before Saturday’s meeting with Al-Akhdoud.

Source: Goal.com