Al Nasr have requested the President’s Cup final be replayed following what the club perceived to be “serious errors in refereeing” in Sunday’s defeat to Shabab Al Ahli.
The Dubai side were beaten 2-1 in UAE football's showpiece fixture at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, with both Shabab Al Ahli's goals coming via penalties.
The spot-kicks, each converted by Federico Cartabia, were each awarded after referee Ammar Al Junaibi consulted his pitchside monitor, with Nasr contesting what they believed to be hugely contentious decisions.
Following the first award, when Al Junaibi ruled Carlos Eduardo had been fouled as he challenged for a high ball, Nasr manager Ramon Diaz was sent to the stands for placing his hand on a touchline official.
The second penalty was given in the final minute, when Mohammed Ayed appeared to catch Eduardo slightly as he received the ball, allowing Shabab Al Ahli to snatch a winner and be crowned President’s Cup winners for a record-equalling 10th time. Nasr, who equalised with 12 minutes remaining, also had an appeal for a penalty waved away in the first half.
"ركلة جزاء غير صحيحة لشباب الاهلي وتدخل غير إيجابي من حكم الفيديو"
— قناة أبوظبي الرياضية (@ADSportsTV) May 16, 2021
فريد علي ومسلم أحمد - خبيران تحكيميان#نهائي_كأس_رئيس_الدولة #شباب_الأهلي_النصر #أبوظبي_الرياضية pic.twitter.com/xn4k08vFAB
"ركلة جزاء غير صحيحة لشباب الاهلي.. تدخل غير موفق من حكم الفيديو"
— قناة أبوظبي الرياضية (@ADSportsTV) May 16, 2021
فريد علي ومسلم أحمد - خبيران تحكيميان#نهائي_كأس_رئيس_الدولة #شباب_الأهلي_النصر #أبوظبي_الرياضية pic.twitter.com/vlPuQVy153
In a club statement released late on Tuesday, Nasr said: “Based on its responsibilities and keenness to preserve the rights of its fans, players, and technical and administrative bodies, and in an effort to keep Emirati football in its best form, Al Nasr Football Club submitted a formal complaint today, May 18, 2021, to the Disciplinary Committee of the Football Association about the disastrous events which occurred during the President’s Cup final for the sports season 2021/2020.
“Al Nasr demanded, in terms of the result, to repeat the match because of a technical legal error, which requires a replay in accordance with the relevant regulations and demanded to compensate the club for the damage they suffered after missing out on striking a result [win] due to the serious errors in refereeing in the match.”
The Football Association has yet to comment on Nasr’s appeal.
