The Saudi Pro League issued an official statement in response to recent reports alleging obstacles or pressure on Al-Ittihad Club during its negotiations to sign French star Karim Benzema. Mr. Omar Batterjee, the League's Director of Corporate Communications and Media, categorically denied these claims, emphasizing that all clubs, including Al-Ittihad, operate within a clear and transparent framework for attracting international stars.
In statements to the “In 90” program, Batarji explained that “Al-Ittihad Club, like the other clubs participating in the recruitment program, was informed of its allocated budget in advance. Decisions regarding signing a specific player and the mechanism for utilizing the program's budget are entirely the responsibility of the club's management and its technical and commercial vision.” He added, “The role of the league and the recruitment program team is to ensure the integrity of the procedures, adherence to the regulatory frameworks, and to provide the necessary support to clubs to ensure the success of negotiations, not to interfere in their technical decisions.”.
General context: A revolution in Saudi football
This historic deal comes within the context of a comprehensive strategic transformation underway in Saudi sports, driven by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and enhance the Kingdom’s position as a global destination for sports and entertainment. The “Player Attraction Program,” supported by the Public Investment Fund, is the key instrument for achieving this goal, aiming to raise the technical and marketing value of the Saudi Professional League by bringing in the world’s top football stars. This wave began with the transfer of Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo to Al-Nassr, paving the way for the arrival of other prominent names such as Karim Benzema, Neymar, Sadio Mané, and others.
The importance of the Benzema deal and its expected impact
The transfer of Karim Benzema, the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, to Al-Ittihad was more than just a sporting deal; it was a multifaceted event. Domestically , the deal strengthened Al-Ittihad, the reigning league champions at the time, and raised the level of competition and excitement in the Roshan League. It also contributed to increased attendance and ticket sales for the club's matches. Regionally , this move solidified the Saudi League's position as the strongest and most attractive league in the Middle East and North Africa. Internationally , Benzema's transfer put the Roshan League in the global spotlight, attracting media and fan attention worldwide, which in turn contributed to increased international television broadcasting deals and enhanced the Kingdom's soft power on the global sports stage.
