The Referees Committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation has appointed Portuguese referee João Pinheiro for a crucial match. This event features Al-Ahli Saudi facing Al-Hilal Saudi in the semi-finals of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup. The match is set to take place at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah on Wednesday evening, with kickoff scheduled for 10 PM Mecca time.
Why a European Referee?
This match is not just another game; it holds substantial artistic and popular significance. To ensure fair play and an exceptional standard, the committee chose an experienced European referee for this high-stakes encounter.
Referee Profile: João Pinheiro
- Nationality: Portuguese
- Age: 38 years
- Refereeing Career Start: September 2015
- International Badge: Received in 2016
- Total Matches Officiated: 429
- Yellow Cards Issued: 1,936
- Style: Strict officiating
Performance in Saudi Matches
In the Saudi Professional League, João Pinheiro has officiated 8 matches. His record includes:
- 29 yellow cards issued
- No red cards
- 5 penalty kicks awarded
For the King’s Cup tournament, he managed only one match, showing a disciplined approach with:
- 4 yellow cards
- 1 penalty kick awarded
Public Anticipation
This semi-final match has garnered considerable public and media interest. Fans are eager to see how Pinheiro’s officiating will influence the outcome of this pivotal clash between two prestigious clubs.
