IVAN TONEY has suggested the Saudi title race is being “influenced” in a spectacular rant over refereeing decisions.
The and striker, 30, went berserk after Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Al-Fayha – and continued his tirade on Instagram.
Ivan Toney has laid into the refereeing in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo is hunting down his first league title with Al-NassrCredit: Getty Images
Toney, who scored his 27th goal of the season in the game, felt he and his Al-Ahli team-mates were denied three clear penalties.
That could prove costly with third-place Al-Ahli battling and ‘s for the title.
And a couple of Al-Ahli players, including Toney, have at least hinted that league bosses WANT Ronaldo to win his first Saudi top flight crown.
Toney said after the game: “When we tried to talk to the referee, he told us to focus on the AFC [Champions League]. How can the referee say this?
“If you want me to go deeper, I can go deeper, it might get me into trouble but I am a man that says it how it is.
“Throughout the season, it was a clear penalty but now we get to crunch time and they change it.”
When asked who will benefit from the controversy, Toney said: “We know who. Who are we chasing?”
The former star added on Instagram : “It’s actually crazy how you can miss things like this in crucial moments or choose to turn a blind eye.
Al-Ahli are now four points behind Al-Nassr, who have a game in handCredit: Getty Images
“It’s clear what is being influenced here.
“Also with the referee telling us to concentrate on a different competition while VAR is going on is beyond me.
“Add to that with the referee agreeing that the first one was a penalty in the 90+ minute like that’s going to help.
“I am probably the bad guy for speaking some truths and pointing out questionable decisions or s*** refereeing.”
Toney’s team-mate, Galeno, took the accusations even further.
He wrote: “Hand over the trophy, that’s what they want, they want to knock us out of the championship by any means necessary, they want to hand the trophy to one person, a total lack of respect for our club.”
Al-Ahli called the refereeing calls “unacceptable” and have demanded explanations for each decision, as well as audio recordings of the communications between the match officials, and between the ref and the players.
Al-Nassr sit four points ahead of Al-Ahli and two ahead of Al-Hilal with a game in hand and seven matches left to play in total.
Ronaldo remains the league’s biggest name but is yet to win a major honour in three and a half years at Al-Nassr.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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