Al-Ittihad furious over ignored penalty incident involving En-Nesyri in draw against Al Hilal

The Saudi Clasico between Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League over the weekend produced one of the most contentious moments of the weekend, after Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri was denied what many believed to be a clear penalty.

In the 65th minute, En-Nesyri went down inside the area following contact to his ankle from Saudi defender Hassan Tambakti. Despite strong appeals from the Al-Ittihad players, the referee waved play on, opting not to award a spot kick.

The controversy deepened when Al-Ittihad’s official account shared a close-angle video of the incident on the social media platform X, fuelling debate among supporters and analysts alike.

The club accompanied the footage with a pointed caption that read: “In Ramadan!”, a remark widely interpreted as criticism of the officiating during a month regarded for reflection and fairness.

The match, already charged with intensity, gained further emotional weight given that Al-Hilal’s colours are guarded by Moroccan international goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. The incident quickly sparked heated discussions across fan circles, with many Al-Ittihad followers insisting the decision cost their side a crucial opportunity to alter the course of the Clasico.

As the debate continues, the disputed moment has become one of the defining talking points from an already high-stakes encounter in the Saudi top flight.