Journalist Ahmed Al-Ajlan revealed the Saudi Football Federation's decision to appoint international referee Simon Marciniak from Poland to officiate the derby match between Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli, which is scheduled for Saturday evening as part of the eighth round of the Roshn Saudi League.

Marshinak is considered one of the most prominent referees on the global stage, having officiated many major matches, including the final of the 2022 World Cup and the UEFA Champions League final, which underscores the significance of his presence in this high-profile encounter.

The decision by the Football Association came after a thorough examination of the available officiating options, in order to ensure that the match is managed with complete neutrality and a level of officiating that matches the significance of the competition between the two major teams in Jeddah.

Sources confirmed that this decision was made in direct response to a request from the Al-Ittihad Club management, which asked for the match to be assigned to a foreign officiating crew due to the significance of the encounter and the historical rivalry between the two neighboring teams.

Marshynak is expected to assist a complete Polish officiating team that has extensive experience in managing international matches, ensuring the highest standards of refereeing fairness on the field.

The match between Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli is highly anticipated by fans, especially since it comes at an important stage of the league, where each team is striving for victory to strengthen its position in the standings before the upcoming international break.