A legal reason prevents Benzema from playing for Al-Hilal against Shabab Al-Ahli
Legal expert Dr. Hassan Radif revealed the precise regulatory details regarding the potential participation of French star Karim Benzema with Al-Hilal in their upcoming match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai in the AFC Champions League. This clarification puts an end to fan and media speculation about when the player would debut for the club, based on the regulations approved by the Asian Football Confederation.
Details of the legal provision prohibiting participation
In his statements to Okaz newspaper, Dr. Radif clarified that the obstacle preventing Benzema's participation at the moment is purely legal, not technical. The AFC Champions League regulations explicitly and clearly stipulate in the player eligibility clauses that no player can represent two different clubs in the same stage of the competition. This legal provision primarily aims to protect the competitive integrity of the tournament and prevent conflicts of interest that could arise from players transferring between competing clubs during a single stage, thus ensuring a level playing field for all participating teams.
Possible debut date
Based on a legal interpretation of the regulations, the legal expert confirmed that Benzema's absence from Al-Hilal's squad against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai is now certain according to the rules. However, the door is not entirely closed to the French striker's participation; the regulations allow for his registration and participation with Al-Hilal starting from the next round, specifically the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League. This is the stage at which clubs are permitted to amend their squads and register new players who have not participated with other teams in this newly introduced round.
Benzema's statistics and his impact in the Asian Championship
In a related context, the significant technical value that Karim Benzema brings to the Asian Champions League cannot be overlooked. The French star has already made a clear mark during his participation with Al-Ittihad in the current edition, scoring crucial goals that contributed to the team's progress. Among the most notable moments were his brilliant winning goal against Uzbekistan's Nasaf, which secured the victory for Al-Ittihad, and his outstanding goal against Sharjah of the UAE. These statistics confirm that his return to the knockout stages will be a valuable addition and a powerful boost to the attack of whichever team he represents.
The importance of adhering to continental regulations
These clarifications underscore the stringent standards applied by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in its newly established "Elite" tournament, which aims to rival major international competitions in terms of organization and legal compliance. Adherence to these regulations is an integral part of the professionalism embraced by Saudi clubs, which have garnered global attention by attracting some of the world's brightest football stars. This makes every legal and technical detail a matter of close scrutiny and close monitoring by both local and international sporting circles.
