Al-Hilal Sends Complaint to CAF Over Refereeing in RS Berkane Match
Sudanese club Al-Hilal has issued an official statement expressing its protest against what it described as refereeing errors during its CAF Champions League quarter-final first-leg match against RS Berkane. The game, which ended in a 1-1 draw, saw the Sudanese side voice strong objections to the officiating.
The club clarified that it had sent an official letter to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), conveying its disapproval of what it considered unfair refereeing decisions made by the South African officiating crew. Al-Hilal asserted that these decisions directly impacted the outcome of the match.
In its correspondence, signed by the club's Secretary-General Dr. Hassan Ali Issa, Al-Hilal highlighted that the team has frequently suffered from African refereeing since its initial participations in the competition. The club believes that some previous refereeing decisions have deprived them of winning the continental title on multiple occasions.
The statement added that Al-Hilal's consistent participation in continental competitions continues despite the challenging circumstances in Sudan. The club called on CAF to adopt more precise criteria for appointing refereeing teams, particularly during the decisive stages of the tournament, to prevent what it termed "injustice to clubs."
Al-Hilal concluded its statement by confirming that it had attached a video clip to its letter, showcasing the key refereeing incidents from the recent match against RS Berkane that it believes contained errors.
