A tweet by Saleh Abu Nakhah, the former president of Damac FC, sparked widespread controversy in Saudi sports circles, particularly in the Asir region, highlighting the issue of Abha FC's fan attendance. This tweet comes at a time of intense rivalry between the two Asir clubs, Abha and Damac, a rivalry that has spanned many years and is no longer confined to the pitch, but has extended strongly to social media and stadiums.
Details of the controversial tweet
Abu Nakhah, via his official account on the "X" platform, questioned the noticeable discrepancy between the digital support and the actual attendance of Abha FC fans, pointing out that the media and advertising hype is not matched by a real presence in the stadium. In his tweet, he said: "Does Abha deserve this?... More tweets than fans!... More WhatsApp messages than attendance!... More billboards!... More directives and calls!... The videos are louder!" These words were interpreted by many as veiled criticism of the lack of fan engagement for Abha FC despite the team's positive results.
The context of the rivalry in the South Derby
To understand the dimensions of this debate, one must consider the broader context of regional sports. The Asir derby between Abha and Damac is considered one of the most highly charged matches in the region. While Abha has delivered impressive performances this season, making them a "dark horse" that has troubled their main rivals, observers believe that the atmosphere in the stands doesn't reflect this impressive form. This is something Abu Nakha'a attempted to highlight, although some interpreted it through the lens of the traditional rivalry between the two clubs.
Mixed reactions: between defense and offense
Reactions to the tweet varied considerably. Abdullah Al-Mousa attempted to read between the lines, explaining that Abu Nakha's aim was to motivate the fans, pointing out that "being present in the stadium and supporting the team on the ground is more impactful and genuinely supportive than messages and encouragement from afar," especially given the team's strong presence this season. Abdullah Al-Shehri agreed, believing the tweet touched on a real issue: the weak sense of belonging to local clubs compared to the larger, more popular ones. He expressed surprise that some labeled Abu Nakha' as "envious," despite the fact that the content of his words was in Abha's best interest.
In contrast, Nasser Al-Musfir launched a scathing attack on the former president of Damac, demanding that he focus on his club, which is suffering from the specter of relegation, considering that Abha’s successive successes are the real reason behind this tweet, as he said: “Leave success to the successful ones, and it seems that Abha’s successive successes have bothered you.”.
The importance and impact of public attendance
This incident opens the door to a broader discussion about the importance of fan attendance in the Saudi League, not only for moral support but also as an economic driver and a benchmark for evaluating club popularity. These debates confirm that the rivalry in the Asir region remains vibrant, and that fans are expected to translate their online support into a tangible presence that ensures their clubs' continued success in the professional league.
