Penalty appeal decision explained after Al Fateh’s clash with Al Hilal

A referee expert has backed the decision to overturn Al Fateh’s penalty appeal against Al Hilal after a VAR review during their match.

The incident came in the 45th minute, when Al Fateh players claimed the ball had struck an opponent’s hand inside the penalty area. The referee initially awarded a spot-kick, but was advised by the video assistant referee to review the footage on the pitchside monitor.

After checking the replay, he cancelled his original decision and opted not to award a penalty. The ruling prompted protests from Al Fateh supporters and members of the club’s coaching staff.

Mohamed Kamal Risha, the refereeing analyst for Al Riyadiya, said the referee had made the correct decision after establishing which player had been hit by the ball.

“On 45 minutes, the referee made the correct decision to withdraw the penalty awarded to Al Fateh after reviewing the incident on the VAR screen,” Risha said.

“There was handball, but after the review it became clear to the referee that the ball had struck the right arm of Murad Batna, the Al Fateh player, and not the hand of Kalidou Koulibaly, Al Hilal’s defender.”

Risha’s assessment settled the dispute over the key incident, confirming that the contact was made with Batna’s arm rather than Koulibaly’s hand. That identification explained why the referee reversed the initial penalty decision despite the objections surrounding the incident.

Al Hilal are listed to face Shabab Al Ahli Dubai in the AFC Champions League Elite on 03 November 2026. Al Fateh are listed to play Al Riyadh in the Saudi Roshn League on 06 November 2026.