Questions are being raised over the integrity of officiating in the Saudi Pro League after England international Ivan Toney launched a scathing attack following Al-Ahli’s 1-1 draw with Al-Fayha.
Toney suggested that certain decisions may be favouring Cristiano Ronaldo, raising concerns that the title race could be influenced.
According to the Daily Mail, Toney was among several Al-Ahli players who criticised refereeing decisions after the match, in which he scored his 27th goal of the season.
The striker claimed his side were denied multiple clear penalties during the game at King Salman Sport City Stadium in Al Majma’ah.
“I think the big talking point was the two penalties — it is as clear as day,” Toney said in a post-match interview. “I don’t know what more you want him to do. If you pick the ball up with two hands, are you going to give a penalty or not?”
Toney later took to social media, sharing clips of three penalty appeals and suggesting there was outside influence on decisions.
“It is clear what is being influenced here,” he posted.
He further alleged that when players tried to question the referee, they were told to “focus on the AFC Champions League” instead.
“How can the referee say this? We are talking about now, and he is telling us to focus on the AFC,” Toney said.
The England forward hinted at possible bias when asked who benefits from such decisions, responding: “We know who — who are we chasing?” in what appeared to be a reference to Ronaldo.
“Throughout the season, it was a clear penalty, but now that we are in the crucial stage, things have changed,” he added.
The result leaves Al-Ahli third in the standings, two points behind Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, who sit top of the table with a game in hand.