The Saudi Arabian Football Federation assigned the task of officiating the match between Al-Hilal and Al-Taawoun to the Guatemalan referee Mario Escobar, as part of the postponed tenth round of the Saudi Roshn League.

Escobar is 39 years old and is considered one of the prominent referees in the CONCACAF region. He received his international badge in 2013 and has accumulated extensive experience in continental and international tournaments.

During his refereeing career, he officiated 464 official matches, issuing 2,100 yellow cards and 149 red cards, in addition to awarding 89 penalty kicks.

These figures reflect a strict personality on the field, as Escobar relies on enforcing the rules firmly, without leniency in impactful decisions.

The Guatemalan referee has previously officiated four matches for Al-Hilal in the Roshen League, and the capital team won all of them.

Al-Hilal's victories under Escobar's whistle came against Al-Ittihad, Al-Shabab, Al-Fateh, and Al-Fayha, giving the anticipated match remarkable numerical dimensions before it begins.