Al-Ahli defender Merih Demiral launched a furious tirade against Saudi Pro League officials on Wednesday night, accusing them of bias in favor of rivals Al-Nassr. The outburst came moments after his side's 2-0 defeat at the hands of Al-Nassr, a match in which Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 970th career goal. Demiral, speaking to reporters in the stadium corridors, claimed referees are consistently pushing for Al-Nassr to win titles.
"All the referees have gone crazy, my God... Look, look at the injury on my leg! Whenever they can, they try to help Al-Nassr to win the championship. It's a disgrace," Demiral said, according to footage circulated online. The Turkish international added, "They always push Al-Nassr to win titles. But thank God... Al-Ahli always wins without anyone's help." The defender appeared to be referencing a strong challenge from Al-Nassr's Kingsley Coman, who also scored in the match.
Demiral's post-match conduct extended beyond his verbal complaints. Videos showed the 26-year-old center-back brandishing his Asian Champions League winners' medal provocatively at Al-Nassr supporters as he left the pitch. The gesture and his comments mark a significant escalation in tensions between the two Saudi clubs, which are among the nation's most prominent following a wave of high-profile signings funded by the Public Investment Fund.
The defeat leaves Al-Ahli, managed by Matthias Jaissle, facing a difficult battle to secure a top-four finish in the Pro League. Al-Nassr, led by Luis Castro and spearheaded by Ronaldo, remains in a tight title race with Al-Hilal. Demiral's allegations touch on a sensitive topic in Saudi football, where the significant investment and focus on certain clubs have led to periodic accusations of preferential treatment, though such claims are routinely denied by the league.
Merih Demiral joined Al-Ahli from Atalanta in the summer of 2023 and has been a regular starter for the Jeddah-based club. His international career with Turkey has seen him earn over 50 caps. There has been no immediate official response from the Saudi Pro League or the Saudi Arabian Football Federation regarding his accusations. The incident is likely to be reviewed by the league's disciplinary committee, potentially leading to sanctions for the player.
