Ivan Toney has unleashed a blistering condemnation of Saudi Pro League match officials, alleging systematic refereeing bias that is deliberately tilting the championship race in favour of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr. The former Brentford striker's explosive accusations follow a contentious 1-1 draw where his club, Al-Ahli, saw three separate penalty appeals dismissed in dramatic fashion.
Contentious Draw Sparks Fury
The pivotal match against mid-table Al-Fayha saw Al-Ahli drop two crucial points in an intensely competitive title race, leaving them third in the standings and four points behind leaders Al-Nassr, who also hold a game in hand. Toney's frustration boiled over during a remarkable post-match interview where he detailed what he perceives as a pattern of unjust decisions.
Three Penalty Appeals Dismissed
Referee Mohammed Sami Al-Ismail and the Video Assistant Referee system rejected two separate handball appeals and another for an apparent push inside the penalty area. "The big talking point was the two penalties. It's clear as day," Toney fumed. "I don't know what more you want him to do? Pick the ball up with two hands, are you going to give a penalty then or not?"
The England international revealed even more astonishing details about his exchange with the match official. "We try to talk to the referee and he tries to tell us to focus on the AFC [Asian Champions League]. How can the referee say this? We're talking about now and he says focus on the AFC."
Direct Accusations Against Officials
Toney left little doubt about who he believes benefits from these controversial decisions. When asked directly about the beneficiaries, he responded pointedly: "We know who. Who are we chasing?" This clear reference to Ronaldo's Al-Nassr underscores his conviction that the championship is being manipulated.
"Throughout the season it's a clear penalty, but now we get to crunch time, they change it, I don't know why," Toney added, suggesting the timing of these decisions coincides with the most critical phase of the championship battle.
Social Media Escalation
The 30-year-old striker later amplified his accusations on Instagram, posting video clips of the three disputed incidents alongside a damning caption: "It's actually crazy how you can miss things like this in crucial moments or choose to turn a blind eye. And without saying too much that may get me in trouble, it's clear what's being influenced here!"
In a further provocative post, Toney wrote: "Next time if needed I can bring someone from my area that doesn't have a clue about football to do a MUCH better job than some of these," accompanied by a clown emoji that emphasised his contempt for the officiating standards.
Club Statement Demands Transparency
Al-Ahli supported their star striker with an official club statement expressing "deep dissatisfaction with the refereeing errors that affected today's match." The statement declared: "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 raised serious concerns about the integrity of the competition, stating: "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."
Formal Demands for Explanation
In an unprecedented move, Al-Ahli demanded access to recordings of communications between match officials and VAR, as well as conversations involving their players. The club insisted on detailed explanations "for all refereeing incidents where the decisions were not correctly made," setting the stage for a potential formal investigation into the allegations.
Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in December 2022, has yet to secure a Saudi Pro League title with the Public Investment Fund-owned club, adding further significance to this season's championship battle. The Portuguese superstar's pursuit of domestic glory now finds itself at the centre of one of the most explosive refereeing controversies in recent Saudi football history.
