The Saudi Professional League issued a detailed explanatory statement to reveal the circumstances of the technical malfunction that occurred during the match between Al-Khaleej Club and its guest Neom, which was held on the grounds of Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam, as part of the competitions of the twenty-third round of the Saudi Professional League, which was named “Founding Day” in celebration of this precious national occasion.
Details of the incident and the immediate response
The league explained in its official statement that the second half of the match was interrupted for approximately 20 minutes due to a sudden power outage. The league confirmed that the outage was not caused by any internal fault in the stadium's equipment, but rather by a power cut from the main supply to the sports facility, a matter that falls under the responsibility of the Saudi Electricity Company.
Immediately after the incident, representatives of the league acted swiftly, coordinating directly with the match commissioner and relevant operational authorities. Established emergency protocols were activated to ensure the safety of the electrical system and protect the technical equipment within the stadium, which contributed to resolving the fault and restoring power so that the match could be completed according to the required technical and organizational standards.
Context of the tour and the importance of sports infrastructure
This match is of particular importance as it is part of the "Founding Day" tour, a celebratory event that attracts large crowds and extensive media coverage, making the technical readiness of the stadiums a top priority. Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam is one of the vital sports facilities in the Eastern Province, hosting many important matches with high attendance.
The swift handling of this technical malfunction reflects the remarkable development in operational crisis management at the Saudi Professional League, at a time when the sports sector in the Kingdom is witnessing qualitative leaps in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The League seeks to ensure the continuity of matches with the highest quality standards, to enhance the image of the Saudi League, which has become the focus of the world's attention, and to ensure an ideal viewing experience for fans present behind screens and in the stands.
Adherence to standards and public safety
The league concluded its statement by emphasizing its ongoing commitment to implementing the highest safety and organizational standards in all stadiums hosting league matches. It noted that it is closely monitoring any operational issues that may arise and is working in close coordination with all relevant parties, including the Saudi Electricity Company, to ensure that such incidents do not recur and to provide a safe and comprehensive environment befitting the stature of the Saudi Roshan League and its large fan base.
