Cristiano Ronaldo has become indirectly involved in accusations of cheating within the Saudi league following a strong statement from England international Ivan Toney. The striker for Al-Ahli voiced his discontent after his team's 1-1 draw with Al-Fayha on Wednesday, claiming multiple penalty appeals were wrongly dismissed.
Toney stated that when Al-Ahli players attempted to discuss the officiating with the referee, they were instructed to concentrate on the AFC Champions League instead. He expressed his frustration, questioning the referee's remarks and highlighting the perceived importance of the missed penalty incidents, especially during a critical juncture of the season.
"I think the very big talking point was the two penalties, it is as clear as day," Toney commented post-match. "I don’t know what more you want him to do, if you pick the ball up with two hands are you going to give a penalty or not? When we tried to talk to the referee, he told us to ‘focus on the AFC [Champions League]. How can the referee say this? We are talking about now, and he is saying to focus on the AFC."
He further elaborated, suggesting the referee's focus was elsewhere and that decisions seemed altered at a crucial phase of the campaign. When questioned about who might benefit from the officiating, Toney alluded to Ronaldo, asking, "We know who, who are we chasing?"
Adding to the controversy, Toney posted videos on social media showcasing three penalty claims from the match, asserting that the situation clearly indicated external influences. He criticised officials for overlooking incidents or 'turning a blind eye' during crucial moments and found the referee's comment about concentrating on another competition baffling.
"It's actually crazy how you can miss things like this in crucial moments or chose to turn a blind eye. It's clear what is being influenced here. Also, with the referee telling us to concentrate on a different competition while VAR is going on is beyond me. Add to that with the referee agreeing that the first one was a penalty in the 90+ minute like that’s going to help. I am probably the bad guy for speaking some truths and pointing out questionable decisions or s*** refereeing."
Galeno, another Al-Ahli player, echoed these sentiments, alleging that the Saudi Pro League intended to "hand the trophy to one person." He suggested a deliberate effort to hinder Al-Ahli's championship aspirations.
Al-Ahli club has officially supported its players, requesting the league to release recordings of interactions between officials and players, including VAR communications, and seeking explanations for the controversial decisions. A club statement expressed deep dissatisfaction with the refereeing errors that impacted the match, stating that these decisions directly affected the team's league position.
"Al Ahli club company expresses its deep dissatisfaction with the refereeing errors that affected today's match of the first football team against Al Fayha in round 29 of the Saudi Roshn League," the statement read. "The referee's decisions had a direct impact on the flow of the game and its final outcome, which in turn affected the team's position in the title race."
The club also raised concerns about the referee selection process and its criteria, especially considering the high calibre of the Saudi Roshn League. They emphasised that such errors undermine fair competition and the league's development.
"Such errors raise legitimate concerns regarding the referee selection process and the criteria applied, particularly given the high technical and competitive level of the Saudi Roshn League. The team has faced unfair refereeing decisions, an unacceptable situation that neither serves the development of the competition nor upholds the principle of competitive fairness, which must be the foundation of any successful tournament."
Al-Ahli is seeking transparency, demanding access to referee communications and clear explanations for the officiating incidents. The club concluded by expressing confidence in the authorities to maintain the league's integrity and take necessary steps to reflect its high standing.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr currently leads the Saudi Pro League by two points with seven games remaining in the season.
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