Legal advisor Yaqoub Al-Mutair confirmed that the recent media statements made by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, which included controversial remarks about Al-Hilal club, constitute a clear and explicit violation of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's disciplinary and ethical regulations. Al-Mutair explained that these statements cannot be considered merely a technical opinion, but may fall under legal accountability due to their implications that extend beyond the field of play.
In exclusive statements to Al-Midan, Al-Mutairi indicated that Article 50 of the Disciplinary and Ethics Regulations serves as the reference point in such cases, granting the committee broad powers to impose penalties commensurate with the severity of the violation. He explained that penalties may begin with fines not exceeding 40,000 riyals in lenient cases, but can escalate to more severe levels if the committee deems the statements to be serious violations involving "questioning, defamation, or accusation." In the event of a proven serious violation, the penalty could reach a one-year suspension and a fine of up to 300,000 riyals. He emphasized that such statements do not typically go unpunished and are met with strict disciplinary measures.
This crisis stems from statements attributed to the Portuguese coach, in which he allegedly suggested that Al-Hilal enjoys "political power." This sparked outrage among Al-Hilal's management and fans, who deemed these remarks "slanders" that undermine the integrity of the competition. Al-Hilal responded with an official statement condemning these remarks, describing them as irresponsible and offensive to the Saudi sports project, which is currently experiencing unprecedented growth. The club affirmed its intention to take the necessary legal measures to protect its rights.
From a broader perspective, this event takes on particular significance given the major transformation underway in Saudi sports as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The Saudi Professional League has become a focus of global attention, and any statements questioning the integrity of the competition or introducing non-sporting dimensions (such as political influence) are considered detrimental to the league's reputation as a global product. Therefore, the relevant authorities deal firmly with any media statements that could negatively impact the competition's image, especially when they come from prominent coaches with significant influence in the sports world.
Historically, the relationship between the two Riyadh giants, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, has always been characterized by extreme sensitivity and fierce competition that extends beyond the pitch. The exchange of media statements is part of the legacy of the "Riyadh Derby," but the newly introduced regulations aim to regulate this rivalry within ethical and sporting frameworks. The reactions have seen an escalation from prominent Al-Hilal figures, such as Prince Abdul Rahman bin Musa'id and Sami Al-Jaber, who expressed surprise that such statements would come from a coach who previously worked with Al-Hilal and achieved success with them, adding a dramatic dimension to the current crisis.
