The Al-Taawoun vs Al-Shabab clash ended in controversy after full time, with an incident involving Abdullah Matuq overshadowing the result and sparking widespread debate.
Moments after the final whistle, tensions flared as Matuq confronted the referee during heated protests. In a shocking act, the Al-Shabab player was seen spitting toward the match official. The referee immediately responded by showing Matuq a yellow card, and the situation appeared to be settled as players began leaving the pitch.
However, the drama was far from over.
Several minutes later, the referee was advised to review the incident using VAR. After watching the footage, officials concluded that the act constituted serious misconduct. In an unusual and striking scene, Matuq was called back from the dressing room to the pitch.
Upon his return, the referee reversed the initial decision and showed Abdullah Matuq a straight red card.
The stadium reacted with disbelief as players, staff, and supporters processed the decision. Spitting at a match official is considered one of the most serious offenses in football, often leading to lengthy suspensions and fines under league disciplinary rules.
The Saudi Pro League is now expected to review the incident further, with additional punishment likely to follow. The red card means Matuq will miss upcoming matches, and the incident could carry long-term consequences for both the player and his club.
What should have been a routine full-time whistle instead turned into one of the most dramatic post-match scenes of the season, reinforcing the league’s strict stance on player conduct and respect for match officials.
