Al-Wahda protests against Al-Batin player Diaby's participation in the Yellow League
In a new development that intensifies the off-field rivalry in the Saudi First Division League, informed sources told Okaz newspaper that Al-Wahda Club's management has filed an official protest with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee. This legal action stems from the participation of Al-Batin player Abdullah Diaby in the match between the two teams during the 24th round of the competition. Al-Wahda's management bases its complaint on the ineligibility of the player due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
According to the details provided, the file submitted by Al-Wahda's management includes documents and evidence proving that player Abdullah Diaby had accumulated the required number of yellow cards for suspension before the match. Saudi competition regulations stipulate that the participation of any player suspended for disciplinary reasons or due to accumulated cards constitutes a clear violation that warrants overturning the match result in favor of the opposing team. This is precisely what Al-Wahda is seeking to achieve in order to bolster its points tally in the fiercely contested league race.
latest legal action
is not the first of its kind for Al-Wahda's management recently, reflecting a high level of administrative vigilance within the club. This move comes just days after the club successfully won a previous protest against Al-Ula, specifically regarding the participation of player Matija Nastasic, with the committee issuing a ruling in Al-Wahda's favor on February 18, 2026. This earlier success has given the club's legal department a significant morale boost, motivating them to continue meticulously monitoring disciplinary cases to ensure the club's rights are fully protected in accordance with regulations.
The importance of points and their impact on the standings:
These protests take on added significance in the Yellow League, known for its fierce competition and the close proximity of points between the promotion and relegation battles. Gaining three points through an administrative decision could be a turning point for a team this season, as administrative discipline is just as important as on-field performance. Saudi clubs are well aware that administrative errors in player registration can cost them an entire season's effort, making a thorough review of card records crucial before each round.
The Disciplinary Committee
is expected to hold a meeting in the coming days to review Al-Wahda's protest. The committee will examine match officials' reports from previous games and Abdullah Diaby's yellow card history to verify the claims. If the violation is proven, the regulations will be applied, resulting in Al-Batin being declared the loser of the match with a score of 3-0, along with the imposition of the corresponding fines. This decision is eagerly awaited by Al-Wahda fans due to its direct impact on the team's position in the league standings.
