In a remarkable development within the Saudi football scene, the board of directors of Al-Hazm Club issued a strongly worded official statement, in which it announced its categorical rejection of the decision to move its anticipated match against Al-Qadisiyah Club to King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah, while adhering to its legitimate right to play the match on its main field in Al-Rass Governorate.
Details of the statement and the club's position
The club's management expressed its dissatisfaction with what it described as the "unfair scheduling" of the team's matches during the first round, noting that the club was only given the opportunity to play at home in front of its fans in three matches (against Al-Fateh, Neom, and Al-Najma). The statement emphasized that the continuous relocation of matches to Buraidah deprived the club of the "home advantage" and imposed additional, unjustified financial and logistical burdens, especially since the upcoming match, scheduled for January 18, 2026, is to be played at the club's home ground.
Fair competition and equal opportunities
The statement emphasized that adhering to playing in Al-Rass is not merely an administrative decision, but a fundamental right to ensure fair competition. Official club stadiums provide technical stability and fan engagement, which are among the most important tools for teams to achieve victories. The club indicated that the capacity of Al-Hazm Stadium is perfectly adequate to accommodate the expected crowd for the Al-Qadisiyah match, thus negating the need to move the game due to capacity constraints.
Legal precedent and stadium readiness
Al-Hazm's management based its demands on a recent and strong organizational precedent: the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's decision to hold the King's Cup semi-final match between Al-Kholoud and Al-Ittihad at Al-Hazm's stadium. The management considered the successful hosting of this major event, which featured a host of international stars and drew a large crowd, as conclusive proof of the stadium's technical, security, and organizational readiness to host major league matches.
Strategic dimension and vision aspirations
In a broader context, the statement linked the club's demands to the strategic goals of Saudi sports under the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to spread football culture and enhance its presence in all cities and provinces, not just major urban centers. The administration emphasized that enabling clubs to play at their home venues will boost sports and economic activity in the provinces and fulfill the leadership's aspirations to create a thriving and inclusive sporting environment.
The club concluded its statement by affirming its complete readiness to host the match, calling on the relevant authorities to reconsider the decision in order to uphold the principles of justice and equality among all competing clubs.
