Al-Nassr FC issued its initial response to the official protest filed by Al-Ittihad FC regarding the eligibility of their new player, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, to participate in the match between the two teams in the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League. The match, held at Al-Awwal Park Stadium, ended with Al-Nassr winning 2-0, intensifying the competition for the top spot in the standings.
Al-Nassr responded quickly, albeit indirectly, via their official Twitter account, posting a picture of Abdullah Al-Hamdan from the match with the caption: “Al-Hamdan’s first appearance.” This clearly indicated the club’s confidence in the legality of their position and the validity of the player’s registration and participation procedures. Al-Hamdan had come on as a substitute in the final minutes of the game, marking his debut for Al-Nassr after his transfer from their arch-rivals, Al-Hilal, during the recent winter transfer window.
Background of the protest and the context of the heated competition
Al-Ittihad's protest stems from doubts surrounding the completion of the necessary procedures for registering Al-Hamdan in Al-Nassr's squad before the match. This is a meticulous administrative process governed by the regulations and laws of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. This incident is particularly significant given the intense rivalry between the two clubs, both considered giants of Saudi football, and the history of their encounters, which is replete with fierce competition and excitement both on and off the field.
This match comes at a crucial juncture in the season, with Al-Nassr looking to keep the pressure on league leaders Al-Hilal and close the gap, while Al-Ittihad aim to improve their position in the standings. Any decision affecting the outcome of the match will have direct repercussions on the title race.
The importance and expected effects of the decision
The eyes of the Saudi sports community are now on the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, which will review Al-Ittihad's protest, Al-Nassr's response, and the documents submitted by both parties. The committee's decision carries significant weight on several levels:
- At the local level: If Al-Ittihad's protest is accepted, Al-Nassr could lose the three points, dealing a significant blow to their hopes of winning the league title this season and strengthening Al-Hilal's position at the top. However, if the protest is rejected, Al-Nassr's victory will stand, keeping their title hopes alive.
- At the regional and international levels: With the growing global interest in the Saudi Professional League (SPL) following its attraction of international stars, such legal and administrative issues have come under intense scrutiny. The way the Saudi Football Federation handles this protest will reflect the professionalism and transparency in its competition management, something closely watched by investors and fans worldwide.
While awaiting the final decision, the debate continues between the fans of the two clubs, adding a new chapter of excitement to one of the strongest seasons in the history of Saudi football.
