The participation of player Abdullah Al-Hamdan with his new club, Al-Ittihad, in the derby match against Al-Nassr, as part of the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League, sparked widespread controversy in sporting circles, prompting Al-Nassr to file an official protest. In this context, legal expert Yaqoub Al-Mutair settled the debate, confirming the legality of the player's participation.
Details of the legal opinion
In statements to the program “Our League is Different,” Al-Mutair clarified that Abdullah Al-Hamdan’s participation in the match held at Al-Awwal Park Stadium was entirely legal. He explained that Al-Ittihad had registered the player in the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s system during the permitted winter transfer window. He added that the procedures followed by the player and his new club were correct, as Al-Hamdan had informed his original club (Al-Hilal) of his unilateral contract termination. This is an action for which the player bears the potential sporting consequences, but it does not affect his eligibility to register and participate with his new club. Al-Mutair emphasized: “Abdullah Al-Hamdan’s unilateral contract termination means the player bears the sporting penalties, and it does not affect Al-Nassr (meaning Al-Ittihad), especially since the player followed the correct procedures by notifying his original club.”.
Background of the transition and the controversy
Abdullah Al-Hamdan, the Saudi national team striker, moved from Al-Hilal to Al-Ittihad on loan during the last winter transfer window, a deal that attracted considerable attention. These legal cases are part of the intense competition between the Kingdom's top clubs, as each administration strives to strengthen its squad with the best players while adhering to the regulations and laws set by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and the Professionalism and Players' Status Committee. Transfer periods are often subject to varying legal interpretations, especially when players move between directly competing clubs.
The importance of the match and the impact of the protest
The Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Nassr match is of paramount importance due to the historic rivalry between the two teams and their constant pursuit of the league title. Any decision regarding Al-Nassr's protest will directly impact both teams' standings. If the protest is upheld, Al-Ittihad could forfeit the match points, negatively affecting their position in the table, while Al-Nassr would directly benefit. The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee is expected to review Al-Nassr's protest within 48 hours and hear Al-Ittihad's arguments before issuing its final decision, which is eagerly awaited by the Saudi sports community.
