Al-Ula Club appeals to the Sports Arbitration Center against Al-Wahda's decision
In a significant development in the legal proceedings surrounding Saudi sports competitions, informed sources revealed to Okaz newspaper that Al-Ula Club's management has made a decisive decision to escalate its case against Al-Wahda Club to the highest sports judicial authority in the Kingdom. The management intends to officially appeal to the Saudi Center for Sports Arbitration against the recent decision issued by the Appeals Committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.
The crisis stems from the acceptance of Al-Wahda's protest to the match commissioner, challenging the eligibility of Serbian professional defender Matija Nastasic to play for Al-Ula. Sources confirmed that Al-Ula's management did not remain passive, but rather prepared a comprehensive legal file supported by evidence and proof to support the club's position and the validity of the player's registration and participation procedures.
Details of Al-Ula Club's legal position
Al-Ula Club's legal case rests on several key pillars, most notably its complete adherence to the regulations and bylaws issued by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. The source explained that the club possesses official and documented correspondence confirming that it received approval from federation officials regarding Nastasic's eligibility to participate, thus negating any administrative error or bad faith on the part of the club.
The source emphasized that Al-Ula Club, which enjoys significant support and attention from the Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate, adheres to the highest standards of governance and professional administrative practices. The source deemed the notion of the club committing a basic administrative error unacceptable and inconsistent with the club's established institutional practices. The source further clarified that the aim of this escalation is not to seek preferential treatment, but rather to uphold the principles of sporting justice as guaranteed by legal precedents.
The importance of the Sports Arbitration Center and the general context
This move is particularly significant given the status of the Sports Arbitration Center as the supreme and exclusive body for resolving sports disputes in the Kingdom, and its decisions are final and binding. This dispute comes at a time when Saudi sports are witnessing significant developments in legal and administrative aspects, with clubs becoming more proactive in protecting their rights through official channels.
This event also highlights the importance of accuracy in the procedures for registering professional players, especially international names like Matija Nastasic, who is a significant addition to the Yellow League and Saudi football in general. The sporting community eagerly awaits the final ruling in this case, as the decision will set a legal precedent, adding to the body of rulings that regulate competitions and clarify the lines of responsibility between clubs, the federation, and its judicial committees.
