In an unexpected incident, the football match between Al-Khaleej and Neom at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam, part of the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League, was halted. The referee stopped the match after a sudden power outage plunged the stands and the pitch into darkness, making it impossible to continue playing.
The context of the match and its importance to both sides
Before the forced stoppage, the match was a fiercely contested affair, with both teams striving for a positive result to improve their position in the league standings. Al-Khaleej, playing at home in front of their fans, were looking for a crucial victory to distance themselves from the relegation zone and secure their place in the top flight. Meanwhile, the newly promoted and ambitious Neom enters every match aiming to prove their worth among the elite and deliver performances worthy of the sporting project they represent. The tension was heightened before the incident when Al-Khaleej were reduced to ten men after one of their players was sent off, making their task of winning even more difficult.
Impact of the incident on the reputation of the Saudi League
This incident comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is experiencing a qualitative leap on all fronts, attracting top international football stars and becoming a focus of attention for fans worldwide. Such technical incidents, though rare, may raise questions about the readiness of stadium infrastructure and its ability to keep pace with the tremendous development of the sports sector in the Kingdom. As Saudi Arabia prepares to host major international sporting events in the future, including the 2034 FIFA World Cup, ensuring the highest operational quality standards in all sports facilities becomes a top priority to maintain the positive image of Saudi sports.
Next steps and regulations
According to the regulations governing such cases, everyone is awaiting the Saudi Pro League's decision regarding the fate of the match. The available options typically include resuming the match at a later date from the point at which it was suspended, maintaining the same score, or replaying the entire match at a later date. The final decision will depend on the match referee's and match commissioner's reports, as well as an assessment of the technical reasons that led to the power outage. This postponement puts both teams in a difficult position regarding rescheduling training and preparing for upcoming matches, adding an element of uncertainty to their league campaigns this season.
