VAR backed over UAE’s cancelled penalty in Gulf Cup final

Egyptian refereeing analyst Mohamed Kamal Risha has supported the decision to overturn a penalty awarded to United Arab Emirates during their Gulf Cup 27 final against Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia faced United Arab Emirates on Tuesday at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah in the final of the 27th edition of the Gulf Cup.

The incident occurred in the 38th minute, when referee Jalal Jayed initially pointed to the spot after Bruno Oliveira went down inside Saudi Arabia’s penalty area following a challenge from Hassan Tambakti.

However, the referee was asked to review the decision on the video assistant referee monitor and subsequently cancelled the penalty.

Footage of the incident, showing Jayed reverse his decision after consulting VAR, was shared by Alkass TV on 6 October 2026.

Risha, speaking to Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiyah, said the review had correctly established that Oliveira had not been fouled.

“In the 38th minute, Oliveira, the United Arab Emirates forward, used Tambakti’s leg being positioned in front of him and went to ground without contact that warranted the award of a penalty,” Risha said.

He added: “The VAR intervention was successful in asking the referee to review the incident on the screen, after which he reversed his decision and cancelled the penalty.”