The Saudi Arabian Football Federation's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee issued decisive and strict penalties against Al-Ittihad Club following the events that occurred during the heated Jeddah derby against their arch-rivals, Al-Ahli Club, in the Saudi Professional League. These penalties were imposed after identifying organizational violations related to fan behavior and the regulations in force at Saudi stadiums.
Details of financial and public sanctions
The committee's decision included obligating Al-Ittihad Club to pay a substantial fine of 200,000 Saudi Riyals . The penalties were not limited to the financial aspect; they also included a disciplinary sanction requiring the club to play its next home league match without spectators, with the stadium completely closed. This punishment stemmed from the introduction of a banner (tifo) that violated the disciplinary and ethical regulations, a violation observed by the relevant authorities and match observers during the large public gathering.
Suspension of punishment and conditions of implementation
In a legal move aimed at deterring future violations and giving the club an opportunity to rectify the situation, the committee decided to suspend the fan ban for four (4) months. This means the penalty will not be applied immediately, but will become effective and automatically enforced if the club or its fans commit any new violation falling under Article (72) of the Disciplinary Regulations during the specified suspension period. This decision places significant pressure on the club's management and fans to maintain exemplary conduct and avoid any transgressions that could deprive the team of its most powerful asset in the stands.
The context of the Jeddah derby and the importance of adhering to the regulations
This decision comes at a time when Saudi football is experiencing a tremendous qualitative leap and unprecedented global interest in the Roshan League, making adherence to regulatory and ethical standards crucial for projecting a professional image of the sport in the Kingdom. The Jeddah derby between Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli is considered one of the most popular matches in the Middle East, with fans competing to create spectacular displays (tifos), but this rivalry must remain within the bounds of the law.
Through these decisions, the Disciplinary Committee seeks to enforce order and ensure the integrity of the competition, emphasizing that the regulations were established to govern the sporting landscape and prevent any slogans or banners that deviate from the norm or violate public decency and established regulations. The Al-Ittihad Club administration must now intensify internal monitoring and raise awareness among fans to ensure that the next four months pass without any violations that would warrant the activation of the fan ban.
