The 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League, which was named “Founding Day Round”, witnessed an exceptional and rare incident that sparked widespread controversy in sports circles, as the match between Al-Khaleej and Neom teams, which was held yesterday (Saturday), was suddenly stopped at the start of the second half.
In detail, Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam was plunged into darkness due to a sudden power outage, forcing the referee to immediately halt the match to ensure the safety of the players and in accordance with competition regulations. The stoppage lasted for more than 10 minutes, during which the fans and players endured moments of anxious anticipation before the lights were restored and play resumed.
Causes of the technical malfunction and responsible parties
According to sources cited by the Okaz newspaper, initial investigations indicate that the technical malfunction originated with the Saudi Electricity Company, the stadium's operator, and was not due to an internal fault in the stadium's equipment. The sports community is awaiting an official statement from the Ministry of Sports in the coming hours, which will reveal all the details of the incident and the disciplinary measures that will be taken to ensure such incidents do not recur.
Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium: History and Heritage
Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam is one of the most prominent sporting landmarks in the Eastern Province and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Opened in 1973, the stadium has undergone several comprehensive development and modernization projects over the years to meet the standards of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA. With a capacity of approximately 26,000 spectators, it regularly hosts matches for Eastern Province clubs and national teams, making the readiness of its infrastructure crucial.
The importance of infrastructure in the Roshan World League
This incident comes at a time when the world's attention is focused on the Saudi League, which has become one of the major leagues thanks to attracting some of the brightest stars in international football. Therefore, the sustainability and efficiency of logistical services, including the electrical and technological infrastructure of the stadiums, are fundamental to the success of the Saudi sports project. The Ministry of Sport and the League Association are paying close attention to stadium quality to ensure an ideal viewing experience for fans and high-quality television broadcasting that reflects the league's market value.
It should be noted that this round has special symbolic importance as it coincides with the Kingdom’s celebrations of “Founding Day”, which has made all matches receive intensive public and media attention, which has doubled the focus on this emergency technical malfunction.
