Al-Hazm rejects moving the Al-Qadisiyah match to Buraidah: Official statement and details of the crisis
In a remarkable development within the Saudi football scene, the management of Al-Hazm Club issued a strongly worded official statement, expressing its categorical rejection and deep dissatisfaction with the decision of the Competitions Committee to move the team’s anticipated match against Al-Qadisiyah, scheduled as part of the first round of the Saudi Roshan League, from the club’s stronghold in Al-Rass Governorate to the city of Buraidah.
Upholding rights and supporting the sporting vision
The Al-Hazm Club administration began its statement by affirming its full commitment to supporting the tremendous development witnessed by the sports sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which enjoys the generous patronage of the wise leadership, thus placing the Saudi League among the world's top leagues. The administration indicated that the club considers itself a key partner in this success, but this partnership requires respect for the fundamental rights of clubs, foremost among them the right to play on home ground and in front of their fans, which is a cornerstone of the principle of equal opportunity in sports competitions.
Scheduling crisis and lack of spatial justice
The statement highlighted what it described as the "unfairness" in the scheduling of the first round matches. The administration revealed alarming statistics indicating that Al-Rass fans were deprived of watching their team play, as the team was only allowed to play three matches at its home stadium against Al-Fateh, Neom, and Al-Najma. In contrast, the remaining matches were moved to King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah, depriving the team of home advantage and placing an unnecessary financial and logistical burden on the club.
The Al-Qadisiyah match... the straw that broke the camel's back
The administration explained that it had remained silent in the past, prioritizing the public interest. However, the recent notification to move the Al-Qadisiyah match, scheduled for January 18, 2026, to Buraidah, despite Al-Hazm being officially designated as the home team, came as a shock. The administration emphasized that any justifications regarding stadium capacity were unconvincing given the expected large crowd for this particular match, and stressed that Al-Hazm Stadium was fully prepared in terms of security and organization.
Previous evidence confirms the readiness of Al-Ras Stadium
To bolster its position, Al-Hazm's management cited previous decisions by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, most notably the hosting of the King's Cup semi-final match between Al-Kholoud and Al-Ittihad at Al-Hazm Club's stadium. The management considered the successful hosting of an event of this magnitude as conclusive proof of the stadium and city's capacity to host major matches, and a model to be emulated in promoting sports across the Kingdom's various provinces, not just in major cities.
Al-Hazm management concluded its statement by demanding that the concerned authorities reconsider the decision, stressing its adherence to its legal right to host Al-Qadisiyah in Al-Rass, in order to preserve the rights of the club and its fans, and to consolidate the principles of justice and equality that Saudi sports seek.
