The sports agency "Al-Takhyel Al-Riyadi," the official agent of Saudi international goalkeeper and Al-Nassr FC defender Nawaf Al-Aqidi, issued an important and urgent statement announcing that it will take strict legal action against the recent media transgressions targeting the player. This move comes in the wake of the events and comments that accompanied the exciting Riyadh derby match between the capital's two giants, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, which saw a wave of inappropriate criticism on social media and in some media outlets.
Legal action to protect the player's rights
The company explained in its statement that, based on a decision by the board of directors, "Musadaqa Law Firm" was officially appointed to handle the case and refer it to the relevant authorities. This action aims to restore their client's rights after a thorough and comprehensive review of all the abuses and slander that crossed the line of legitimate sports criticism and descended into personal attacks and the dissemination of false information completely detached from reality.
The context of the Riyadh derby and the pressure from the fans
Matches between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr always hold immense importance in Saudi and Arab sports circles, given the historic rivalry between the two clubs. These matches are often accompanied by a huge media and fan frenzy, placing players under immense pressure. While technical criticism is an integral part of football, recent times have witnessed an escalation in the intensity of media discourse, necessitating intervention to protect players from negative psychological effects that could hinder their careers and impact their performance with their clubs and the national team.
Adherence to government directives and media regulation
The statement linked this legal move to the state's general direction in regulating the sports media landscape. This measure is entirely consistent with the outcomes of the important meeting held in late November on Shura Island in the Red Sea, which brought together His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sports, and His Excellency Salman Al-Dossari, Minister of Media, with a select group of media professionals.
The meeting stressed the need to adhere to professional ethics and promote positive media that serves the nation's sport, while strictly emphasizing the accountability of anyone who violates regulations or abuses athletes, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which seeks to make the Saudi League among the best in the world.
The importance of this step for the future of Saudi sports
This move by Nawaf Al-Aqidi's agent sends an important message that transcends this individual case, emphasizing the importance of providing a healthy and professional environment for Saudi players. With the tremendous development of the Roshan League and the attraction of international stars, it has become essential to protect the sporting system from media biases that disrupt fair competition. Ultimately, these measures aim to give Al-Aqidi and other players the necessary space to focus on the pitch, perform at their best, and serve the Saudi national team in upcoming competitions.
