Allegations of favoritism towards Al-Hilal in the Saudi Professional League are no longer mere fan talk or fleeting "stadium sensitivities," but have transformed into a major public issue in the sports world, based on accumulated evidence that has angered many rival clubs and their fans, most notably Al-Nassr. This issue takes on added significance in light of the historic transformation underway in Saudi football.
Historical background and context of the great transformation
Saudi sports, and football in particular, have witnessed a qualitative leap with the launch of the "Investment and Privatization of Sports Clubs" project as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. This project, which involves transferring ownership of the top clubs (Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli) to the Public Investment Fund, aims to raise the level of competition and position the Saudi Professional League among the top 10 leagues in the world. This unprecedented government support has attracted a constellation of the world's brightest football stars, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar da Silva, and Karim Benzema, placing the Saudi league in the global spotlight.
In this context, the principles of fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity have become not merely sporting requirements, but fundamental pillars for the success of this massive national project. Any perceived absence of these principles threatens to undermine the league's credibility and its long-term investment and public appeal.
Controversial incidents raise questions about double standards
The current accusations are based on a series of events that critics consider evidence of preferential treatment. The latest victim, in their view, was Al-Nassr club, which was prevented from finalizing the signing of player Saud Abdulhamid despite announcing its imminent completion, in addition to the suspension of its sporting director and CEO in decisions that raised many questions about their timing and severity.
In contrast, Al-Hilal was permitted to register four players in a single transfer window, while other clubs face strict administrative and financial restrictions that prevent them from exercising their most basic regulatory rights. This disparity in the application of regulations has created the impression that "justice is applied differently depending on the club's affiliation," which undermines the spirit of fair competition.
Expected impact on the reputation of the Saudi League
The continuation of this controversy does not serve the image of Saudi sports. Statements from global figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, who alluded in his own way to double standards, or veteran coach Jorge Jesus, who previously coached Al-Hilal and knows its inner workings, lend these accusations international credibility. The real problem lies in the fact that these practices, if true, strike at the very heart of the league's credibility and tarnish the image of Saudi sports investment in the eyes of the world.
The call to "crush favoritism" is not targeting a major club like Al-Hilal, but rather, at its core, it is a defense of a larger national project. The success of the Roshan League is not measured solely by the number of star players, but by the fairness and strength of its competitive system. Only fairness gives victories their true value, creates championships that history remembers, and ensures that all clubs stand on an equal footing towards achieving their ambitions and the ambitions of Saudi football.
