The Saudi Pro League issued a decisive official statement, definitively refuting recent reports circulating on various media platforms alleging changes to the budget allocated to Al-Ittihad, the reigning Roshan League champions. The League categorically denied the veracity of these reports, confirming that the financial allocations for Al-Ittihad, or any other club in the league, remain unchanged and have not been redistributed.
Background to the major transformation in Saudi football
This statement comes at a time when Saudi football is undergoing a historic and exceptional transformation, aligned with the ambitious goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to develop the sports sector. In the summer of 2023, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced its acquisition of four of the Kingdom's biggest clubs: Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal. This massive project aims to elevate the level of competition in the Saudi Professional League and position it among the top 10 leagues in the world by attracting international stars, developing club infrastructure, and increasing their market value.
The importance of the statement and its impact on league stability
The importance of this clarification lies in maintaining the transparency and credibility that the league strives to uphold, especially given the global attention focused on the Saudi League following the arrival of big-name stars like Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté at Al-Ittihad, Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, and Neymar at Al-Hilal. Financial rumors, if not addressed firmly and swiftly, could cause anxiety among fans and affect the stability of clubs, potentially casting doubt on the integrity of the entire sporting project. Therefore, the league's statement affirms that all clubs, including Al-Ittihad, are fully and transparently informed of all their financial details according to pre-established mechanisms, sending a strong message of reassurance to the local and international sporting community.
Call to verify official sources
In closing, the Saudi Pro League stressed the importance of obtaining information from official sources, urging media outlets and the public to verify the accuracy of any news related to the financial aspects of clubs before publishing or circulating it. This emphasis stems from a commitment to maintaining a healthy sporting environment and protecting it from misleading information that could aim to destabilize clubs or negatively impact their performance in this crucial competitive season.
