Mohammed Al-Qasim criticizes the mechanism for supporting clubs and VAR technology
Former Al-Taawoun president Mohammed Al-Qasim raised sensitive issues concerning the future of the Saudi Professional League during his recent television appearance on the program "In the Goal." Al-Qasim's remarks come at a time of major historical transformations in Saudi football, where he highlighted the challenges facing clubs not owned by large corporations, calling for greater transparency in financial strategies.
Lack of support and budget challenges
Al-Qasim confirmed that despite stepping down from his official position, he remains close to the club, revealing that it has not received any significant financial support this season. He explained that the club's management has been forced to rely entirely on its own resources, specifically by selling the contracts of key players to cover financial obligations and sign new players—a strategy adopted by many mid-table clubs to compete with the purchasing power of the larger clubs.
In a related context, Al-Qasim criticized the lack of transparency in the financial landscape, pointing out that the club's budget for the winter transfer window was only finalized a week before the transfer window closed. This delay, he explained, undermines the stability of both the technical and administrative operations, leaving clubs unable to plan ahead or engage in serious negotiations to strengthen their squads, thus violating the principle of equal opportunity.
Refereeing and video technology: a never-ending debate
Al-Qasim's criticism wasn't limited to financial matters; it extended to technical and refereeing aspects, describing the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology as "a player in his own game" in the league. He pointed out that the technology, intended to ensure fairness, has intensified controversy in some cases, citing inconsistencies in offside line decisions from one match to another and the existence of what he described as perplexing decisions, which directly affect match results and team standings.
The future of the league and the impact of financial disparities
From a broader strategic perspective, the former president of Al-Taawoun warned of the dangers of the widening gap between clubs. He pointed out that the Saudi league, which has become a focus of global attention, should not be limited to just five clubs (those owned by companies and the Public Investment Fund). He explained that the performance of approximately 12 other clubs could be significantly affected in the second half of the season due to limited resources, threatening the competitive balance and the league's popularity.
Al-Qasim concluded by noting that the recruitment program focuses primarily on corporate-owned clubs, calling for a clear and consistent support mechanism that includes all clubs. Observers believe that this continued financial disparity could lead to a league with two different speeds, potentially negatively impacting the strength and excitement of the competition in the long run. This necessitates intervention to ensure the sustainability of competition among all teams.
