Local News
A new mechanism for requesting non-Saudi referees in the Football Federation
A new mechanism to enhance refereeing in the Saudi League 2025-2026. Discover how it will affect the integrity of matches and the level of competition in the King's Cup and the Roshan League.
A new mechanism for requesting non-Saudi refereeing teams in the Saudi League
The Referees Committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation announced the adoption of a new mechanism for requesting non-Saudi refereeing teams for the upcoming 2025-2026 sports season, which will be applied in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup competition and the Saudi Professional League.
This step comes as part of the federation's efforts to enhance the level of refereeing and ensure the integrity of matches, as the previous mechanism will continue for the upcoming Saudi Super Cup tournament to be held in Hong Kong.
Details of the new mechanism
According to the statement issued by the federation, the mechanism grants clubs the full right to request a non-Saudi refereeing team without any limit, whether the match is at the club's home ground or away, provided the request is submitted before the specified deadline for each tournament: 21 days for the Roshan League and 14 days for the King's Cup.
Clubs must submit their applications via the MySAFF online and deposit the specified amount upon application. Available options include:
- A team of 4 referees : a main referee, a first assistant referee, a second assistant referee, and a video referee, at a cost of 300,000 Saudi Riyals.
- A team of 5 referees : In addition to the previous team, a video assistant referee at a cost of 375,000 Saudi Riyals.
- A team of 6 referees : In addition to the previous team, a fourth referee, at a cost of 450,000 Saudi Riyals.
Flexible procedures and cooperation between clubs
If more than one club requests a non-Saudi refereeing team for the same match, the completed request will be approved first. Clubs may also cancel their request at least seven days before the match, receive a full refund, and a local refereeing team will be appointed.
The new mechanism also allows both clubs (the visiting and home clubs) to jointly submit the application and share the associated financial costs. This requires submitting a joint letter confirming their participation in the application and fulfilling all regulatory requirements for appointing a non-Saudi refereeing team.
Technical analysis and future forecasts
This new mechanism is expected to improve the quality of refereeing and increase trust between teams and sports fans. This step also reflects the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's commitment to keeping pace with global developments and strengthening the Saudi league's position as a strong competitor on the international stage.
As the league continues to develop and competition between teams increases, there will be a growing need for highly experienced refereeing teams to ensure fair and transparent matches. Therefore, this initiative could be a step towards achieving this goal and improving the experience for both fans and players.
Local News
Haramain High-Speed Railway during Ramadan: 1.7 million seats and 3,600 trips
SAR announces the Haramain train operating plan for the Ramadan season 1447 AH, providing 1.7 million seats and operating more than 3,600 trips to facilitate the movement of pilgrims between Makkah and Madinah.
Saudi Railways (SAR) announced the completion of all operational preparations for the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH, through the launch of a comprehensive strategic plan for the Haramain High-Speed Railway. This plan aims to increase capacity to an unprecedented level and boost the number of daily trips to ensure smooth traffic flow and facilitate the journey of pilgrims between the Two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina during the holy month.
Expanded operational plan with record numbers
In its announced plan, SAR explained that it aims to operate more than 3,662 flights during the season, providing over 1.7 million seats for passengers. This significant increase comes in response to the growing and anticipated demand for flights between the two holy cities at this time of year. The number of daily flights is expected to exceed 100, clearly demonstrating the high level of operational readiness and flexibility in managing schedules to precisely align with prayer times and the density of pilgrims and visitors.
The Haramain High-Speed Railway: A key pillar of Vision 2030
The importance of these steps extends beyond the operational aspect. SAR emphasized that these efforts align with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. The project primarily aims to enhance the quality of services provided to pilgrims, as the Kingdom seeks to increase its capacity for Umrah to 30 million by 2030. The Haramain High-Speed Railway is the main artery of rapid land transport, supporting these aspirations and contributing to the comprehensive development the Kingdom is witnessing across various sectors.
World-class infrastructure and standard specifications
The Haramain High-Speed Railway is ranked among the top 10 fastest electric trains in the world, with an operational speed of up to 300 kilometers per hour. The project spans 453 kilometers of double-track railway, connecting Mecca and Medina via Jeddah Central Station, King Abdulaziz International Airport Station, and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh. Since its inauguration, this project has revolutionized transportation in the Kingdom, reducing travel time between the two holy cities to approximately two hours and 20 minutes, and providing a safe, comfortable, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional modes of transport.
Future expansion to strengthen the fleet
As part of its forward-looking vision to enhance efficiency, this upgrade to its current operational readiness is an extension of SAR's ongoing efforts to develop its fleet. The company recently announced the signing of a contract to purchase 20 new trains from the Spanish company Talgo. This strategic move will support future operational expansion, enabling the network to accommodate the increasing numbers of pilgrims during peak seasons, and reflects the wise leadership's commitment to harnessing all available resources to serve those visiting the Two Holy Mosques.
Local News
Results of the National Program for Identifying the Gifted and Talented, and the Global Mawhiba Achievement
The Ministry of Education announced the results of the National Program for Gifted Student Identification, which saw the participation of 89,000 students, coinciding with Mawhiba's entry into the Guinness World Records. Learn more about the details and the significance of this event.
The Saudi Ministry of Education announced today (Monday) the results of the National Program for Identifying Gifted Students , implemented through a strategic partnership between the Ministry, the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission. This year's program saw wide participation, with over 89,000 male and female students from across the Kingdom, reflecting the growing interest and societal awareness of the importance of nurturing talent.
A global achievement in the Guinness Book of Records
In a related development, the Mawhiba Foundation achieved an unprecedented international milestone by setting a Guinness World Record . This achievement follows the foundation's success in registering the largest number of individuals for the mental abilities test in a single month, demonstrating the efficiency of the program's digital and organizational infrastructure and its capacity to accommodate the growing number of talented individuals.
Program objectives and selection methodology
The Ministry congratulated the students who passed the "Mawhiba Scale for Multiple Intellectual Abilities," emphasizing that the program primarily aims to identify gifted students in the fields of science, technology, and engineering. The methodology employed is based on an integrated system that ensures the highest standards of fairness and equity in selecting gifted students, and subsequently directing them to enrichment programs that align with their abilities and scientific interests.
Strategic context and institutional partnership
The National Program for Gifted Student Identification is the fruit of a long-standing collaboration between three entities (the Ministry of Education, Mawhiba, and the Evaluation Commission). This model was established to serve as the primary gateway for discovering the Kingdom's creative human capital. Students undergo scientifically standardized tests that measure linguistic, numerical, spatial, and scientific reasoning abilities, as well as mental flexibility, ensuring the accurate identification of latent talents that are not revealed by traditional achievement tests.
National importance and its alignment with Vision 2030
This announcement is particularly significant within the framework of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , specifically as part of the objectives of the "Human Capability Development Program." Identifying these talented individuals is not the end goal, but rather the beginning of a long journey of nurturing and investing in the minds that will drive the transformation towards a knowledge-based economy. The annual results and international awards garnered by Saudi students in international forums (such as ISEF and the International Mathematical and Physics Olympiads) demonstrate that the outcomes of this program constitute a fundamental pillar of innovation and scientific research, thus enhancing the Kingdom's competitive position on the global stage.
Local News
Khaled Al-Yousef assumes the duties of Saudi Attorney General, succeeding Al-Muajeb
Dr. Khaled Al-Yousef assumed his duties as Attorney General of Saudi Arabia in the presence of his predecessor, Sheikh Saud Al-Moajeb, emphasizing the strengthening of governance and the development of legal competencies to achieve justice.
In a move reflecting the smooth institutional transition and ongoing development of the Saudi judicial system, Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Yousef officially assumed his duties today as Attorney General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the rank of Minister. He began his tenure with a visit to the Public Prosecution headquarters in Riyadh, where he was received by members of the Public Prosecution Council, senior officials, and a number of its staff, headed by the former Attorney General, Sheikh Saud bin Abdullah Al-Muajab.
Official reception and confirmation of institutional work
The meeting was marked by an atmosphere of cordiality and mutual respect, as Dr. Al-Yousef met with the Public Prosecution leadership, accompanied by Sheikh Saud Al-Muajab, in a scene that embodies the integration of roles and the continuity of work in the service of justice. This reception follows the issuance of the Royal Decree last Thursday, which relieved Dr. Khalid Al-Yousef of his position as President of the Board of Grievances and appointed him Attorney General, succeeding Sheikh Al-Muajab.
Future vision: Governance and quality of outputs
During his meeting with members of the Public Prosecution, Dr. Khalid Al-Yousef outlined the features of the next phase, emphasizing that it requires concerted efforts and teamwork. Al-Yousef stressed several key pillars that will be priorities in the upcoming work strategy, most notably:
- Investing in talent: Focusing on developing and qualifying national legal personnel to the highest standards.
- Enhancing professionalism: Establishing governance principles and strict adherence to regulations to ensure quality performance.
- Institutional excellence: Raising the efficiency of judicial outputs to achieve effective justice.
Thanks to the leadership and support of the judicial system
The new Attorney General expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister, for the precious royal trust bestowed upon them. He commended the unlimited support that the judicial system and the Public Prosecution receive from the wise leadership, which has contributed to a qualitative leap in the Kingdom's judicial and justice system.
A long-standing legal and administrative background
The appointment of Dr. Khalid Al-Yousef to this sensitive position is the culmination of a distinguished career in the judiciary. He previously served as President of the Board of Grievances, where he led numerous digital transformation and procedural development projects. His extensive administrative and judicial experience is expected to enhance the performance of the Public Prosecution, particularly in light of the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which prioritizes the protection of rights, the promotion of transparency, and the achievement of criminal justice in accordance with applicable laws.
Al-Yousef concluded his speech by emphasizing that the ultimate goal is to protect rights and preserve freedoms in accordance with Sharia and the system, and to improve the performance of this vital facility to be a model to be emulated in efficiency and justice.
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