Al-Fahli, the player of the Royal Army team, commented after the end of the match against South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final, on the malfunction that affected the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology during the game.
The military team player confirmed in a statement after the match that the stoppage of the “VAR” technology during matches has become a usual and expected matter for players, a remark that sparked wide reactions following the refereeing events that accompanied the continental confrontation.
These statements came directly after the Royal Army lost 1-0 in Pretoria, in a game that witnessed several incidents that sparked refereeing debates, in addition to criticisms related to the pitch condition and the circumstances of the match.
The match experienced a temporary halt at the beginning of the second half due to a technical malfunction in the video assistant system, before the game resumed later after the technical issue was resolved.
The player’s remarks triggered mixed reactions among fans and followers, especially given the sensitivity of final matches and the great importance that the “VAR” technology holds in deciding refereeing decisions in major continental competitions.
