Al Hilal slams referee after controversial draw against RS Berkane in CAF Champions League quarterfinal

Al Hilal Omdurman has accused South African referee Abongile Tom of biased officiating after their 1-1 draw with RS Berkane in the first leg of the CAF Champions League quarterfinal on Saturday, 14 March 2026.

The match, played in a tense atmosphere, saw RS Berkane snatch a late equalizer, leaving Al Hilal frustrated as they had looked poised to secure victory on home soil. However, the Sudanese giants claim that controversial refereeing decisions significantly influenced the outcome.

In a formal statement, Al Hilal said they have submitted an appeal backed by video evidence, highlighting key incidents they believe were mishandled. The club cited four yellow cards issued to their players, a red card for defender Ebuela, and a penalty awarded to RS Berkane at critical moments as examples of decisions that “unfairly impacted the match.”

“The referee’s decisions directly affected the flow and outcome of the game,” Al Hilal stated. “We believe impartiality was compromised, and we have provided video footage of the incidents to CAF for review.”

The club’s appeal comes ahead of the second leg, where Al Hilal will now be keen to overturn the deficit on Moroccan soil. The Sudanese side has expressed confidence that CAF will thoroughly investigate the referee’s performance and take appropriate action if irregularities are confirmed.

This controversy adds to an ongoing debate about officiating standards in African club competitions, with teams increasingly turning to video evidence and official complaints in high-stakes matches. Al Hilal’s management hopes that their appeal not only addresses their grievances but also ensures fair play and accountability in the tournament moving forward.

The second leg promises to be a fiery encounter as both clubs vie for a place in the semifinals, with Al Hilal determined to fight back despite the shadow cast by the first-leg controversies.