Sports journalist Khaled Al-Shunaif dropped a bombshell in the Saudi sports scene, announcing that international player Abdullah Al-Hamdan, the Al-Hilal striker, had officially signed contracts to join Al-Nasr club, in a deal that sparked widespread controversy and conflicting reports about its legal status.
Details of the administrative crisis at Al-Nasr
According to what Al-Shunaif stated on the “Our League is Different” program, the player had already signed contracts with the Portuguese Jose Semedo, who was referred to as a representative of the club’s executive management. However, the surprise lay in the executive committee of Al-Nasr Club refusing to complete the deal, without revealing the essential reasons behind this refusal, which put the club in a possible legal and administrative predicament.
Legal opinion: The specter of the “Kenno” case looms
In analyzing the legal situation, legal expert Yaqoub Al-Mutair warned of the serious consequences of this conflict. Al-Mutair explained that the contract becomes legally binding once signed by the CEO or their authorized representative, regardless of the executive committee's subsequent stance. He pointed out that Al-Nasr now faces two unpalatable options: either reaching an amicable settlement with the player to terminate the contract, or entering a dark tunnel of legal disputes.
Al-Mutairi added that any unilateral withdrawal could expose the club to severe sporting penalties, including being banned from registering players for two transfer windows, in addition to paying the full value of the contract. This brings to mind the scenario of the famous case of player Mohamed Kanno in January 2022, which resulted in Al-Hilal being banned from making signings and being fined huge sums.
Context of the event: The sensitivity of transitions between the two poles
This issue is of paramount importance due to the historic rivalry between Riyadh's two giants, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr. Direct transfers between the two clubs are always highly sensitive and subject to immense public and media pressure. This crisis highlights the new administrative structure of Saudi clubs and the decision-making process between executive management and supervisory committees, potentially opening the door to broader discussions about sports governance.
Al-Hamdan's journey: From La Liga to Asian leadership
Abdullah Al-Hamdan (26 years old) is considered one of the most prominent Saudi talents in the attacking line. He began his career as a product of Al-Shabab Club's youth system and gained early professional experience in Spanish football with Sporting Gijón in 2018, which honed his skills before returning to the Kingdom.
Since his move to Al-Hilal in the summer of 2021, Al-Hamdan has participated in 144 official matches, during which he contributed to 23 goals (scoring and assisting), and was part of the golden generation that achieved 9 titles, most notably the 2021 AFC Champions League and the Saudi Professional League treble, making him a valuable technical addition to any team that secures his services.
