'PEAK CORRUPTION': Fans React to CONTROVERSIAL Officiating for Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr In SPL

Al-Nassr and Al-Raed battled to a 1-1 draw at the Al-Awwal Stadium in a fiercely fought Saudi Pro League game. Opening the score for Al-Nassr in the 34th minute with a powerful header, Cristiano Ronaldo marked his first goal of the season. Al-Raed matched, however, with Mohamed Fouzair's 49th-minute penalty. After a fierce exhibition of football, the game ended with a shared point for both teams despite Ronaldo's efforts and a disallowed goal because of offside.

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Fans believe Cristiano Ronaldo is being robbed by corruption in the Saudi Pro League

Following Al-Nassr's 1-1 tie with Al-Raed on August 22, supporters have charged the match officials with unjust treatment of Cristiano Ronaldo and prejudice. At Al-Awwal Stadium, the first game of the 2024–25 Saudi Pro League season for the Knights of Najd ended in dispute and controversies.

Both sides started the game with great performances, however, an off-side attempt during the buildup disqualified Al-Raed's goal in the 17th minute. With a header from a cross by Sadio Mane in the 34th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo then scored his first goal of the season.

The dispute became more heated after halftime when Al-Nassr gave up a penalty in the 48th minute. Aymeric Laporte first got a red card for reportedly grabbing the jersey of an Al-Raed player—a ruling many believed unfair given little contact. Following a VAR review, the red card was converted to a yellow but the penalty stood. Mohamed Fouzair converted the penalty into a level-off for the score at 1-1. Not too long thereafter, Anderson Talisca's header landed on Al-Nassr's post.

Ronaldo believed he had scored the winning goal in the 76th minute, but VAR declared his arm to be off-side.

Many of the rulings infuriated the supporters as some claimed the officials unjustly singled out Cristiano Ronaldo.

Al-Nassr faces Al-Feiha in the SPL on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.