Ivan Toney Criticizes Refereeing in Saudi Pro League

Apr 11, 2026

53 min

Apr 11, 2026 01:30

Saudi Pro League controversy: Referee told Ivan Toney to focus on AFC

## Al Ahli's Complaint Under Review

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) is investigating a complaint from Al Ahli regarding the officiating in their recent match against Al Fayha. The match ended in a draw, impacting Al Ahli's chances in the title race.

## Ivan Toney's Frustration

Al Ahli's forward, Ivan Toney, expressed his dissatisfaction with the refereeing, particularly after three penalty appeals were denied. Toney suggested that decisions might be biased towards Al Nassr, who currently lead the league.

## Controversial Remarks

Toney claimed a referee told him to focus on the AFC Champions League, which he found inappropriate. He criticized the VAR process and anticipated backlash for his comments, stating that even someone with minimal football knowledge could perform better than the current officials.

## Title Race Tensions

The incident has intensified discussions among fans about the consistency of refereeing decisions. Al Nassr leads the league with 70 points, followed by Al Hilal with 68, and Al Ahli with 66. Al Nassr also has a game in hand, further complicating Al Ahli's title aspirations.

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