Controversy Erupts in Saudi Pro League Over Refereeing Bias

Apr 30, 2026

62 min

Apr 30, 2026 09:30

“Referees want Al Nassr to win” Ronaldo’s ex-teammate sparks rigging claims in Saudi Pro League

## Accusations of Favoritism

The Saudi Pro League has been rocked by allegations of biased officiating favoring Cristiano Ronaldo's team, Al Nassr. Turkish defender Merih Demiral, who played alongside Ronaldo at Juventus, has accused referees of influencing the title race to benefit Al Nassr. His comments followed a heated match where Al Nassr defeated Al Ahli 2-0, with Ronaldo scoring his 970th career goal.

## Heated Match and Post-Match Drama

The match, which was crucial in the title race, saw Al Nassr break through Al Ahli's defense with late goals from Ronaldo and Kingsley Coman. However, the victory was overshadowed by Demiral's claims that referees were biased. He was particularly upset about a challenge involving Coman, which he felt warranted a red card.

## Previous Allegations Resurface

Demiral's accusations echo earlier claims by Ivan Toney, who suggested that officiating decisions were being made to favor Ronaldo's team. Toney had previously expressed frustration after a match against Al Fayha, where he felt Al Ahli was unfairly treated.

## Ongoing Controversy

As Al Nassr edges closer to securing the league title, the controversy surrounding the officiating continues to grow. Despite the allegations, Ronaldo remains focused on his legacy, highlighting his past achievements in response to the criticism.

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