JEDDAH — Football is often a game of emotions—passion, frustration, and elation all unfolding in 90 minutes. But when those emotions boil over in the wrong way, they can have serious consequences. Such is the case of Brazilian goalkeeper Marcelo Carne, whose shocking attack on referee Mamdouh Al-Shahdan during a Saudi First Division League match between Al-Jabalain and Al-Adalah may have just ended his season prematurely. It was a high-stakes game in the 23rd round of the Saudi First Division League, with Al-Jabalain pushing for a result to strengthen their position in the promotion race. Deep into stoppage time, Al-Adalah found a dramatic late goal, sealing what appeared to be a hard-fought victory. But the goal sparked controversy, with Al-Jabalain's players insisting that it should have been ruled out for offside. As tensions flared, referee Mamdouh Al-Shahdan issued a red card to Carne, presumably for dissent. But what happened next took the fans by surprise. Rather than walking off the field, Carne aggressively confronted the referee, knocking him to the ground in an unprecedented display of rage. Players and staff rushed in to diffuse the situation, but the damage was already done. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) wasted no time in condemning the incident. In a strong statement, SAFF reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring respect for referees and maintaining the integrity of the game. "We reject and denounce such behavior," the federation said, emphasizing that Saudi football aims to uphold fair play and positive competition. Beyond public condemnation, Carne now faces serious repercussions under Saudi football's disciplinary regulations. According to Article 49 of the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee regulations, the Al-Jabalain goalkeeper is expected to be handed a 10-match ban along with a SR100,000 fine. With only 11 matches left in the season, his suspension could effectively sideline him for the remainder of the campaign. For Al-Jabalain, this incident is a double blow. Sitting in sixth place with 36 points, they remain in the fight for a promotion spot, but losing their first-choice goalkeeper at such a crucial stage could significantly impact their season. Carne, a key figure in the squad, will now be absent at a time when his team needs him the most. Al-Jabalain Football Club has strongly condemned the actions of their goalkeeper, Marcelo Carne. In an official statement released just hours after the controversial incident, the club expressed its deep regret over the Brazilian player's conduct, making it clear that such behavior is completely unacceptable and does not reflect the values of the organization. "This behavior does not align with the principles and ethics that the club is committed to upholding," Al-Jabalain said in the statement. "We do not accept such actions from any player, and necessary legal measures will be taken against him in accordance with the club's internal regulations." The club also issued a formal apology to the referee and match officials. "We sincerely apologize to the match referees and officials, particularly referee Mamdouh Al-Shahdan, as well as to the wider football community and our loyal fans for this irresponsible individual act that does not align with the club's values and ethics." Al-Jabalain reaffirmed its commitment to sportsmanship and fair play, emphasizing that it will remain a model for respecting the rules and spirit of competition. "We apologize to all sports officials and reiterate our full commitment to sports ethics, rejecting any inappropriate behavior," the statement concluded. Carne's outburst serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with playing professional football. While referees' decisions may sometimes be controversial, aggression and violence can never be the answer. The Saudi footballing community is increasingly focusing on fair play and sportsmanship, and this incident will likely reinforce the need for stronger measures to prevent such incidents in the future. With SAFF standing firmly behind its referees, the message is clear—there is no place for such behavior in Saudi football. As for Carne, he now faces the long road to redemption, one that may take longer than his upcoming suspension.
