Refereeing expert Fahad Al-Mirdasi challenges Eduard Spertsyan goal decision

Al Ahli’s King’s Cup match against Al Anwar was overshadowed by a contentious refereeing decision after expert Fahad Al-Mirdasi said the goal scored by Eduard Spertsyan should not have been allowed to stand.

Spertsyan, the Armenia international, put Al Ahli ahead with a powerful strike that found the back of the net and gave his side the advantage in the tie. The goal also appeared to put Al Ahli on course to progress to the next round of the competition.

However, the build-up to the finish became the focus of debate after footage appeared to show the ball striking the hand of Al Ahli defender Roger Ibanez before the attacking move developed.

The incident occurred at the start of the passage of play that eventually led to Spertsyan receiving the opportunity to shoot. Although the finish itself was widely noted for its quality, questions were raised over whether the earlier handball should have brought the move to an end.

Speaking on the programme Nadina, former Saudi international referee and refereeing analyst Fahad Al-Mirdasi gave a clear assessment of the incident. He said the officials had made the wrong decision by allowing the goal to count, arguing that Ibanez’s handball took place during the initial phase of the attack.

“Al Ahli’s goal is incorrect because there was a handball by Ibanez, the Al Ahli player, at the beginning of the build-up,” said Al-Mirdasi.

His view was that the offence happened immediately before the goal and should have resulted in a free-kick, with Spertsyan’s effort subsequently disallowed.

The decision has therefore become one of the main talking points from the King’s Cup meeting between Al Ahli and Al Anwar. The debate centres not on whether Spertsyan struck the ball cleanly or whether the shot was well finished, but on whether the attacking move remained valid after the contact involving Ibanez.

Al-Mirdasi’s intervention means the goal remains under scrutiny despite the quality of the Armenia international’s attempt. In his assessment, the handball affected the legality of the entire attack and should have prevented Al Ahli from taking the lead.

The incident was among the most prominent refereeing moments of the match, with the decision to award the goal continuing to attract attention after the final outcome of the move had initially appeared settled.