The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation has put an end to the issue that has recently preoccupied the sports scene, as it officially announced the rejection of the protest submitted by the management of Al-Ittihad Club against the legality of the participation of player Abdullah Al-Hamdan with his team Al-Nasr, during the Clasico match that brought the two teams together as part of the competitions of the twentieth round of the Roshan Professional League.

The committee published a decisive official statement on its X platform account, detailing the decision that followed a thorough review of the case. The decision stated: "The protest is accepted in form, but rejected on its merits, and the protest fee is forfeited to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation." The committee also noted that this decision is subject to appeal in accordance with Article (144) of the Disciplinary and Ethics Regulations, granting Al-Ittihad Club the right to escalate the matter should it wish to do so.

The incident stems from a highly anticipated match held at Al-Awwal Park, where Al-Ittihad's management filed an official protest questioning the eligibility of striker Abdullah Al-Hamdan, citing competition regulations. The match ended in a well-deserved 2-0 victory for Al-Nassr, in a highly competitive and exciting encounter reflecting the long-standing rivalry between the two clubs.

This decision comes at a time of unprecedented sporting activity in Saudi football, with the Saudi Professional League matches attracting global attention and widespread media coverage. The "Clásico" matches between Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr are considered among the most important events on the season's calendar, not only for their impact on the league standings but also for their historical and competitive legacy spanning decades. This decision underscores the stability of on-field results and the Saudi Football Federation's reliance on precise regulations and procedures in resolving disputes through its judicial committees.

Technically, this decision means that the three points are awarded to Al-Nassr, strengthening their position in the league standings, while Al-Ittihad must now focus on their upcoming matches to make up for the lost points. This event demonstrates the high level of professionalism Saudi clubs have reached in exercising their legal rights, as well as the speed and transparency of the relevant committees in adjudicating cases to ensure fair and impartial competition.

It is worth noting that Article (144), on which the committee relied, allows the affected parties to resort to the Sports Arbitration Center or the Appeals Committee according to specific conditions. However, the rejection of the protest objectively by the Disciplinary Committee is a strong indication of the soundness of Al-Nasr Club’s position and the legality of its player’s participation in the aforementioned match.

Monday's matches concluded a large part of the competition in the West Zone of the AFC Champions , with 7 clubs officially securing their qualification for the Round of 16 (the round of 16), leaving only one vacant spot that will ignite the competition in the final round.

Saudi dominance and Emirati presence

As expected, Saudi clubs dominated the West Zone group, with the national trio of Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli , and Al-Ittihad securing their places in the knockout stages early. They showcased impressive performances that reflect the remarkable development of the sports sector in the Kingdom and its ability to attract top international stars. This comfortable qualification significantly strengthens the Kingdom's chances of competing strongly for the continental title in its new format.

On the other hand, Emirati football made a strong showing, with both Shabab Al-Ahli and Al-Wahda qualification, confirming the return of Emirati clubs to serious competition in Asian tournaments. Also joining the ranks of qualifiers were Iran's Tractor , who delivered a remarkable performance, and Qatar's Al-Duhail, who secured their place early on.

The Dilemma: A Purely Qatari Conflict

All eyes are now on the eighth and final qualifying spot, which is up for grabs between Qatari football giants Al Gharafa and Al Sadd . The two teams face tough matches tomorrow that will determine the last qualifier.

• Al-Gharafa hosts its Iranian counterpart, Tractor, in a match where there is no room for compromise for the host.
• Al Sadd faces a very tough test when it clashes with Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad, in a match that is a football summit in itself.

The context of the tournament and its importance

This edition of the tournament is of exceptional importance as it is the first under the name “AFC Champions League Elite,” a new system adopted by the Asian Football Confederation to raise the level of competitiveness and market value of the tournament. This system sees a reduction in the number of participating teams to focus on technical quality, making reaching the Round of 16 an achievement that reflects a team's strength and technical stability.

The qualification of the three Saudi clubs reflects the continued Saudi leadership in the Asian continent, while the remaining conflict indicates the convergence of levels in the West region, where the next round will be crucial in determining the final shape of the round of 16 schedule and the anticipated matches in the knockout stages, which are expected to witness unprecedented public attendance and media coverage.

Al-Nassr fans are anxiously awaiting news regarding the future of their star player, winger Abdulrahman Ghareeb, as his contract nears its end at the conclusion of the current season. The player has already entered the free agency period, granting him the legal right to sign with any other club without needing the approval of his current club's management. This has opened the door to widespread speculation about his next destination, especially given the circulating reports of interest from rival clubs, most notably Al-Hilal, in acquiring his services.

According to informed sources, Abdulrahman Ghareeb has not yet made a decision regarding Al-Nassr's contract renewal offer, neither accepting nor rejecting it. The club's management is working hard to retain the player for the coming years, a move driven by the clear desire of head coach Jorge Jesus, who considers Ghareeb a key component of his tactical plans.

The same sources indicated that the delay in responding might stem from Abdulrahman Ghareeb having received several lucrative offers from other clubs eager to benefit from his exceptional technical abilities. It seems that the decisive factor in the player's decision will not be solely financial, but is closely linked to his desire for guarantees of increased playing time, as he seeks to solidify his position as a regular starter in the lineup.

It is worth noting that Abdulrahman Ghareeb has been delivering outstanding performances for Al-Nassr recently, both in domestic competitions like the Saudi Professional League and in continental tournaments. The player has shown remarkable improvement, leading Jorge Jesus to rely on him as a key player in several crucial matches recently, reflecting the high level of trust he enjoys within the club.

This matter is of paramount importance in the current Saudi sporting context, as Abdulrahman Ghareeb is considered one of the most prominent local talents upon whom not only his club but also the Saudi national team relies. These developments come at a time when Saudi football is experiencing a tremendous boom and attracting international stars, making it a significant challenge for major clubs to retain talented local players. This is crucial for maintaining balanced rosters and meeting the requirements of Asian championships, which stipulate a limited number of foreign players, thus increasing the market and technical value of players like Ghareeb.