The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has decided on the referee for the Al-Ahli vs. Al-Nassr Saudi Super Cup final, scheduled for Saturday in Hong Kong.
Press reports indicated that Mohammed Al-Huwaish was the leading candidate to officiate the match, but the Saudi international’s history with Cristiano Ronaldo made it likely he would be excluded.
According to Al-Riyadh newspaper, the Saudi Football Federation ultimately decided to appoint Al-Huwaish despite the controversy surrounding him.
Al-Nassr initially refused to appoint Al-Huwaish, while Al-Ahli requested a foreign referee. However, the Saudi Football Federation insisted on having a local referee and awarded the match to Al-Huwaish.
Al-Huwaish has only played one Super Cup match in his career, two seasons ago, when he sent off Cristiano Ronaldo against Al-Hilal in a move that greatly angered Ronaldo and Al-Nassr fans.
Al-Saudi has managed 16 matches for Al-Nassr (8 wins, 3 draws, 5 losses), awarding two penalty kicks for them and four against them. He also issued 29 yellow cards to Al-Alamy players and 39 to opponents.
As for Al-Ahli Al-Huwaish has managed the most matches (23 matches, 13 wins, 6 draws, 4 losses). He awarded Al-Raqi five penalty kicks and none against them.
