In a rapidly unfolding series of events following the thrilling Jeddah derby, Al-Ittihad's management broke its silence to issue an official and decisive response to the recent decisions made by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee. This response came from the club's official spokesperson, Riyadh Al-Mazhar, who clarified the club's legal and public stance regarding the penalties imposed on "Al-Ameed" (Al-Ittihad's nickname) due to what has become known in the media as the "Al-Ahli banner crisis.".
Details of the federal response and the legal position
In an exclusive statement to Al-Midan Al-Riyadi newspaper, Riyadh Al-Mazhar affirmed that the club's management will not stand idly by in the face of decisions they deem unfair to the club and its fans. Al-Mazhar clarified a crucial point in Al-Ittihad's defense, indicating that the controversial banner was displayed in the stands designated for Al-Ahli Club, not Al-Ittihad's, which, according to the club's perspective, alters the legal responsibility.
The official spokesperson added: “The case is still pending, and we have officially requested the reasoning behind the decision. The club will not relinquish its legal right to defend its interests.” He also addressed the fans with a strong message, saying: “The Al-Ittihad fans need no further explanation. Since the club’s founding, they have proven themselves to be the greatest and strongest fanbase, and their support for the team will not change or waver because of these decisions.”.
Background to the penalty and the context of the Jeddah derby
The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee issued strict penalties, including banning Al-Ittihad fans from attending one home match and imposing a fine of 200,000 Saudi riyals. These sanctions stemmed from the events that occurred during the Jeddah derby match between Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli, considered one of the most intense and prestigious rivalries in Saudi and Arab football.
The Jeddah derby, known as the “Red Sea derby”, has great historical and popular importance, as the matches between the two teams are always characterized by high competitiveness and an overwhelming public presence that creates artistic scenes in the stands. However, the intense competition may sometimes go beyond the bounds of what is required, which necessitates the intervention of judicial committees to control the situation.
The impact of the decision and the team's performance in the Roshan League
This administrative crisis comes at a time when Al-Ittihad's first football team is experiencing a period of remarkable stability in the Saudi Professional League. The team recently secured a valuable 2-0 victory against Al-Shabab at Al-Inma Stadium, further solidifying their position in the league standings.
Observers believe that the club's insistence on requesting the details of the decision indicates the club's intention to file an official appeal, as the fans of Al-Ittihad are considered the number one player and the main driving force behind the team's victories, and their absence from any match represents a significant moral and technical loss that the club seeks to avoid by all available legal means.
