Al-Riyadh Club demands the league to ensure fairness regarding its stadium and to apply justice
In a remarkable development within the Saudi football scene, the board of directors of Al-Riyadh Club expressed its extreme surprise and displeasure with the decision issued by the Saudi Professional League Association, which stipulates that the club’s stadium will not be included in the list of stadiums covered by the comprehensive development project, despite the club’s assurances that it has met all the basic requirements that fall within its area of responsibility.
The club issued a detailed press release explaining that the strategy for Al-Wusta School's return to the professional league was not merely a technical plan on the pitch, but a comprehensive vision aimed at building a sustainable fan base and reinforcing the club's historical identity. The statement emphasized that the club's location and stadium represent the heart of this identity and the direct emotional link with its vast fan base in the capital, making the team's separation from its stronghold a direct blow to this strategy.
Frequent demands and willingness to participate financially
In its statement, the club's management revealed details of the official correspondence, confirming that since the first team's promotion to the Roshan Professional League, it has submitted a series of official requests to be allowed to host matches at its home stadium. The club did not merely request permission, but also demonstrated considerable flexibility and a full willingness to bear part of the financial burden of development costs and actively participate in preparing the facilities to meet the league's stringent standards. However, these initiatives have been met with rejection or disregard thus far.
Context of developing sports infrastructure
This statement comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is witnessing an unprecedented sporting renaissance as part of its Vision 2030 goals, where developing stadium infrastructure is a cornerstone for increasing the league's market value and attracting fans. Club stadiums are vital to enhancing the financial sustainability of clubs through ticket sales and associated events, making Al-Riyadh Club's request consistent with the overall direction of developing the sports sector in the Kingdom.
Lack of equal opportunities and its impact on competition
The club expressed its astonishment at being barred from playing at home for the third consecutive season, pointing to a clear disparity in standards, as other newly promoted clubs were given the green light to develop their stadiums and play there immediately. The statement emphasized that this situation violates the principles of fairness and equal opportunity, as Al-Riyadh Club is deprived of the "home advantage" enjoyed by its competitors, a crucial factor influencing match results and points earned in a fiercely competitive league.
The suffering of age groups and the future of talent
The statement also addressed the club's future, noting that the damage extends beyond the first team, casting a dark shadow over the youth teams as well. The club suffers from a severe lack of training facilities compared to other clubs that have benefited from development opportunities, creating an additional burden that hinders the discovery and development of young talent, the primary source of players for the Saudi national teams.
Al-Riyadh Club concluded its statement by emphasizing its full commitment to positive cooperation with the League Association and all relevant authorities, reiterating its hope that this thorny issue will be reconsidered in a way that achieves justice, supports the stability of clubs, and contributes to driving the development of Saudi football towards globalization.
