Al-Hilal lodges official CAF protest over controversial refereeing after CAF Champions League exit

Al-Hilal has officially submitted a protest to the Confederation of African Football, expressing strong dissatisfaction with the officiating in its CAF Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash against RS Berkane.

The Sudanese giants argued that decisions by both the on-field referee and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) directly influenced the match outcome, claiming that perceived biases significantly undermined the team’s chances of advancing in the competition, ultimately leading to its elimination.

Al Hilal emphasized that it had previously communicated the importance of appointing experienced referees for high-stakes fixtures. “Despite our prior alerts, CAF appointed a refereeing team we consider lacking the necessary experience for such a decisive match,” the club stated.

Among the incidents highlighted in the protest, Al-Hilal described a controversial penalty awarded against one of its defenders, which was later upheld by VAR. The club insists that video evidence clearly showed the RS Berkane striker committed the foul, raising his foot over the Al-Hilal defender and causing an injury that forced the player off the field.

Al-Hilal also criticized the implementation of VAR during the match, claiming several interventions occurred after play had resumed and that stoppage time was miscalculated, failing to reflect the actual duration of the contest. The club described these irregularities as part of a “repeated disregard” for its prior refereeing complaints, warning that such oversights undermine the integrity of CAF competitions.

To strengthen its case, Al-Hilal attached video footage of the decisions it deemed pivotal, calling on CAF to conduct an immediate investigation. The club demanded corrective measures to ensure fair competition and prevent similar controversies in future tournaments.

The protest underscores growing concerns among African clubs about refereeing standards in continental competitions and shines a spotlight on the critical role of VAR in maintaining fairness. CAF is expected to review the submission and respond in line with its regulations, while Al-Hilal awaits a resolution to the contentious match that has sparked outrage among its supporters.