In a new development in the heated events taking place in the Saudi sports scene, Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus broke his silence to clarify the truth about the controversial statements he recently made regarding Al-Hilal club, following the press conference that followed his team Al-Nassr’s match against Al-Shabab, which ended with Al-Nassr winning three goals to two in the sixteenth round of the Roshan Professional League.
Clarifying the position and respecting the past
During his interview with the media, Jesus emphasized that he had not forgotten his past, stating, "I haven't forgotten my years at Al-Hilal. I helped Al-Hilal achieve many successes." The Portuguese coach added conciliatoryly, "I thank Al-Hilal for the time I spent with them, but I am currently working at Al-Nassr and performing my duties with complete professionalism. I am very grateful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and will respect everyone here until my last day.".
Background to the crisis and statements regarding "political influence"
The roots of the crisis lie in previous statements attributed to the Portuguese coach, in which he indicated that their traditional rival (Al-Hilal) possesses "political power" and off-field influence that his current team lacks. He also claimed that Al-Hilal's league lead was marred by "false accusations" and refereeing errors that affected the results of their competitors. Jesus had previously attributed the decline in results to clear refereeing mistakes, while simultaneously emphasizing the existence of technical errors for which his team was responsible.
Angry reactions and official escalation
These statements did not go unnoticed, as Al-Hilal Club issued an official statement condemning what it described as "irresponsible remarks," asserting that they contained slanderous accusations that undermine the integrity of the competition amidst the Kingdom's current sporting renaissance. Al-Hilal's management announced its intention to file an official complaint with the relevant authorities to protect the club's rights.
Among prominent Al-Hilal figures, Prince Abdul Rahman bin Musa'id, the club's former president, responded with a series of critical questions on the "X" platform, demanding that Jesus explain his concept of "political power" and reminding him of his failure to win the league title during his previous stint with Al-Hilal despite the same circumstances. Club legend Sami Al-Jaber also commented, describing the statement as "unfortunate" and offensive to a great institution, expressing his confidence in the current administration to take the necessary legal action.
The context of competition and the development of the Saudi League
These events are particularly significant given the historic phase the Saudi Professional League (the Roshan League) is undergoing, having garnered global attention by attracting the game's biggest stars and international coaches. The Riyadh derbies between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal are considered the showcase of this massive sporting project, making any statement that impugns the integrity of the competition a matter of public concern that extends far beyond the pitch.
These statements are expected to have disciplinary repercussions, as the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation is keen to impose a fair competitive environment and prevent any media transgressions that may incite fanaticism or cast doubt on the fairness of the sports system, especially in light of the wide international attention given to Saudi competitions.
