Al Ahli request foreign referees for delayed Al Nassr clash

Al Ahli have formally asked for a foreign refereeing team to take charge of their Saudi Pro League match against hosts Al Nassr on Friday.

The fixture, which was postponed from the ninth round of the league, is due to be played in Jeddah. Al Ahli submitted their request through the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s MySAFF electronic system 16 days before the match, according to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah.

The club followed the timetable approved by the referees’ committee and attached proof that the required fee had been paid.

The system, which has been in operation since the season before last, allows clubs to appoint foreign officials without a limit on the number of matches for which they can make such a request. The option is available whether the club is playing at home or away.

A foreign refereeing team costs an average of 375,000 riyals. The fee rises to 450,000 riyals when the appointment includes a fourth official as well as video assistant referee technology.

The fixture was initially scheduled for 15 October before the Saudi Professional League announced that it would be moved to 6 March. A change to the date of the Asian Cup then led to a further revision of the league schedule, including the rearrangement of the match between Al Ahli and Al Nassr to 20 November.

Al Ahli go into the fixture sixth in the league table with 21 points. Al Nassr are third on 28 points, seven points clear of their opponents.