The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) regulations impose strict restrictions on player transfers between clubs participating in the same edition of the AFC Champions League, a situation that highlights the case of French star Karim Benzema, the striker for Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad. These rules prohibit any player who has participated with a team in the group stage from representing another team in the same stage during the same season, thus hindering any potential winter transfers between clubs competing in the continental competition.
General context of the Asian Football Confederation regulations
The regulations concerning player registration in the AFC Champions League clearly state that “a player who has already participated in the group stage with one club may not be registered to play for another club in the same stage of the tournament.” This clause aims to maintain the integrity of the competition and prevent clubs, particularly those with significant financial resources, from disproportionately strengthening their squads midway through the tournament by poaching players from rival teams, which could disrupt the balance of power and compromise fairness among all participating teams.
Karim Benzema's condition and its impact
Karim Benzema, the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, is a prime example of this rule. After joining Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, the French striker played for his team in the group stage matches of the current AFC Champions League. According to the regulations, Benzema is ineligible to play for any other club in the remaining group stage matches. Even if he were to transfer to another club participating in the tournament, such as Al-Hilal or Al-Nassr, during the winter transfer window, he would only be able to play for them after the group stage has concluded and the knockout rounds have begun, provided his new team qualifies.
The importance of the tournament and its regional impact
The AFC Champions League is the most prestigious club competition in Asia, and Saudi Arabian clubs, in particular, place paramount importance on it. Winning the continental title is not only a sporting triumph but also enhances a club's international standing and qualifies them for global tournaments such as the FIFA Club World Cup. With the remarkable growth of the Saudi Professional League and its attraction of world-class stars like Benzema, Neymar, and Cristiano Ronaldo, Asian competition has become even more intense, and global interest in its matches has surged. These regulations are becoming increasingly important in light of this momentum, as they ensure the stability of the competition and maintain its structure until the very end.
Future impacts on club strategies
This rule forces clubs to carefully consider their transfer market strategies. Signing a player already under contract with a rival team in the same continental tournament could mean freezing a significant investment until the later stages. Therefore, clubs tend to focus on players from other leagues or from clubs not participating in the tournament to ensure they can benefit immediately from their services. In Benzema's case, his continued presence with Al-Ittihad guarantees the team a strong attacking force throughout their Asian campaign, while his situation highlights the complexity of the regulations governing football at the continental level.
