The board of directors of Al-Kholoud Club issued an official statement addressed to officials at the Ministry of Sports and the Saudi Professional League, demanding that all upcoming first-team football matches be held within Al-Rass Governorate and at their home stadium. This request was made in a statement published by the club on its official social media account, emphasizing its insistence on its right to play on its home ground and in front of its fans, regardless of the opposing team or the size of its fan base.
The club based its demand on internationally recognized standards in professional football, stating clearly that: “The stadium is designed to serve the home team’s fans, and in professional sporting practice, the size of the away team’s supporters should not dictate the venue of the match.” The club cited the example of prestigious European clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid, which play matches in relatively small stadiums against less well-known clubs or in smaller cities, without any protest or request to move the matches, reflecting the essence of fairness and equal opportunity in sporting competitions.
The context of competition and the importance of land
This move by Al-Kholoud Club comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is witnessing tremendous development and fierce competition, with clubs striving to maximize their home advantage. Historically, some clubs in less densely populated cities and provinces have faced challenges related to relocating their high-profile matches against major clubs (such as Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli) to larger stadiums in neighboring cities, thus losing the advantage of playing at home. Through this statement, Al-Kholoud seeks to establish the principle of the home club's right to play at its own facility, thereby strengthening local identity and further connecting the residents of Al-Rass province to their club.
Appreciating efforts and readiness for development
Despite the firm demand, the statement expressed the club's gratitude to the Ministry of Sport and the league for their ongoing efforts to develop the competition. The club also appreciated the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's approval to host the King's Cup semi-final match in Al-Rass, considering it a positive indicator reflecting a commitment to enabling clubs to host major events in their home cities. The club emphasized that the strength of the league and the motivation for fans to attend stem from holding matches in the home club's city, as this local connection reinforces values of loyalty and genuine engagement.
In closing, Al-Kholoud Club affirmed its full readiness to contribute to the development and equipping of its stadium to host matches according to the highest quality and safety standards required by the league. This initiative has implications that extend beyond the sporting aspect, as holding matches in Al-Rass will contribute to stimulating economic and tourism activity in the governorate and achieve the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to promote sports and develop infrastructure in all regions, not just major cities.
