A referee expert has confirmed that Al-Ittihad striker Abderrazak Hamdallah was unfairly treated during the Saudi Super Cup final between Al-Shabab and Al-Rayyan.
The match, which took place in 2026, saw a controversial moment in the second half that has sparked widespread debate among fans and analysts. The expert pointed out that Hamdallah was denied a clear penalty kick when he was brought down inside the box by an Al-Shabab defender.
According to the analysis, the contact was sufficient to warrant a spot-kick, but the referee waved play on without consulting the VAR system. The expert stated that this decision directly impacted the flow of the game and put Al-Ittihad at a disadvantage.
Hamdallah, who has been in strong form this season, expressed his frustration after the final whistle. The 1-0 defeat meant Al-Ittihad missed out on the title, and the striker felt the officiating had let the team down.
The referee expert also noted that similar incidents in other matches have been penalized, raising questions about consistency in decision-making. He called for better use of technology to avoid such errors in future high-stakes games.
Al-Shabab went on to lift the trophy, but the controversy surrounding Hamdallah’s treatment is likely to linger. The Saudi Football Federation has not yet commented on the matter, but the expert’s remarks have added pressure for a review of officiating standards.
