In a surprise move, the Saudi Professional League removed the new season's regulations from its website Thursday morning. This came after a wave of official objections from more than 12 professional league clubs, protesting against certain clauses described as "illogical" and inconsistent with the transfer market's mechanisms.
Saudi League list withdrawn
The most prominent objections were to Article (15) of the regulations, which stipulates that a player’s participation in matches is limited to only one club during the period extending between the start of the tournament and the beginning of the second registration period (winter transfers).
Clubs believe this clause restricts player movement and prevents teams from benefiting from deals concluded during the summer transfer window, as newly transferred players are not permitted to participate with their new team until January.
Saudi League
The second paragraph of the same article included an additional restriction, prohibiting a player from representing more than one club until the final match of the competition, which further intensified the controversy between club managements and the organizing committee.
Professional League Clubs
According to informed sources, the league is in the process of making substantial amendments to the regulations before formally circulating them to clubs. This step comes less than 24 hours after the release of the first version of the regulations, which sparked widespread controversy in Saudi sports circles, amid calls for more prior coordination and consultation with clubs before adopting such sensitive regulatory decisions.
The league is expected to hold an emergency meeting in the coming days to discuss the proposed amendments, in an attempt to contain the crisis and ensure the new season kicks off without further tension.
