The Saudi Pro League has put an end to the controversy surrounding Al-Ittihad's financial allocations, issuing an official statement categorically denying reports that part of the club's budget had been transferred to other clubs or that there were any delays in its financial dues. The league emphasized that these reports were completely unfounded, stressing that the financial allocations for Al-Ittihad, and indeed for all clubs in the Saudi Pro League, remain unchanged and have not been redistributed in any way.
The statement read: “With reference to what has been circulating regarding the transfer of part of Al-Ittihad Club’s budget to other clubs, or the existence of outstanding payments owed to the club, the Saudi Professional League confirms that this information is incorrect. There has been no change or redistribution of funds related to Al-Ittihad Club’s financial allocations or those of any other club.” The League added that all clubs, including Al-Ittihad Club, are fully aware of all their financial details according to the approved and transparent frameworks. The League concluded its statement by urging everyone to be accurate and rely on official sources for information to avoid spreading rumors that could affect the stability of the competition.
The general context of the transformation phase in Saudi football
This clarification comes at a crucial time for Saudi football, which is undergoing a historic transformation within the "Investment and Privatization of Sports Clubs" project, a cornerstone of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. In the summer of 2023, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) acquired a 75% stake in four major clubs: Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal. This massive investment injected unprecedented financial liquidity into the clubs, enabling them to attract world-class stars such as Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté for Al-Ittihad, Neymar for Al-Hilal, and Riyad Mahrez for Al-Ahli, who joined Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr. This significant development has placed club budgets and spending under constant media and public scrutiny.
The importance of the statement and its impact on league stability
The importance of this statement lies in its proactive approach to preempting any rumors that could destabilize clubs or raise doubts about the fairness of financial resource allocation. In a highly competitive environment, such misinformation can negatively impact player and fan morale, creating distrust between clubs and league management. Therefore, the official confirmation of budget stability sends a reassuring message to all parties and reinforces the image of the Saudi League as a professional system managed with transparency and high governance—essential for attracting more international investments and sponsors, and achieving the ultimate goal of becoming one of the top 10 leagues in the world.
