Informed sources within Al-Ettifaq Club the real obstacles preventing the completion of the contract renewal process with veteran Dutch star Georginio Wijnaldum , despite the player entering the free period of his contract and his mutual desire with the club to continue within the ranks of "Faris Al-Dahna".

Sources explained in exclusive statements to Al-Midan on Thursday that the main obstacle lies in the purely financial aspect; the annual contract of the Dutch player amounts to about 9 million euros , which is a huge sum equivalent to almost three-quarters of the club’s annual budget, making it impossible for the Al-Ettifaq management to bear this cost from its own budget without external support.

The role of the recruitment and financial sustainability committee

Sources confirmed that the renewal scenario will only succeed if the player's salary is included under the purview of the recruitment committee , just as it was in the previous contract. Al-Ettifaq officials have already finalized all preliminary agreements and contractual details with the 35-year-old player, but the official signing is still pending approval from the sustainability committee .

The Al-Ettifaq sports community is in a state of anticipation, as the club's management has not yet received a final response, at a time when the international midfielder's contract is nearing its end, which increases the difficulty of the situation and threatens the stability of the technical team, especially since Wijnaldum is considered one of the main pillars in the club's project.

Wijnaldum's career and statistics with Al-Ettifaq

Looking back, Al-Ettifaq club had succeeded in securing the services of the Dutch star during the summer transfer window of the 2023/2024 season, coming from the French football giant Paris Saint-Germain , in a deal that reflected the club’s ambition to compete strongly in the Saudi Professional League.

Since joining, Wijnaldum has proven his immense value, with statistics clearly demonstrating his direct impact on the team's results. This season alone, he has participated in 21 matches, scoring 12 goals and providing 4 assists in 1853 minutes of play. Overall, he has played 88 matches for Al-Ettifaq, contributing to 47 goals (33 goals and 14 assists), making him one of the most successful foreign signings in the club's recent history.

These developments come at a sensitive time in the season, as Al-Ittifaq seeks to maintain its core squad to ensure technical stability and compete for top positions, while awaiting a solution to the financial dilemma that could jeopardize the continued presence of its Dutch captain.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation's Referees Committee officially announced the refereeing teams that will officiate Thursday's matches, part of the 23rd round (Founding Day Round) of the 2025-2026 Saudi Professional League. These announcements reflect the committee's commitment to transparency and ensuring all arrangements are in place to guarantee the matches are conducted with the highest standards of fairness and professionalism.

Details of today's matches and their timings

The three matches scheduled for today are set to kick off simultaneously at 10:00 PM Mecca time, promising sports fans an exciting evening of football. The matches are as follows:

• Al-Khulood vs. Al-Riyadh: Al-Khulood hosts Al-Riyadh in a match where both sides seek to improve their positions in the standings and move away from the danger zones.
• Al-Ettifaq vs. Al-Fateh: Al-Fateh will be a tough guest for Al-Ettifaq in a mini-derby for clubs in the Eastern Province, as matches between the two teams are always characterized by competitiveness and high technical excitement.
• Al-Ahli vs. Al-Najma: Al-Ahli, packed with its stars, hosts Al-Najma in a match where "Al-Raqui" is looking to collect the three points and make its fans happy in this exceptional round.

Founding Day Tour: A National and Sporting Symbol

This round holds special significance that extends beyond the pitch, as the Saudi Professional League has named it the "Founding Day Round" to commemorate the founding of the first Saudi state by Imam Muhammad bin Saud in 1139 AH / 1727 AD. Clubs, players, and fans participate in this national celebration through accompanying events, scarves, and chants that blend patriotism with the passion for football, reflecting the strong connection between the sports sector and deeply rooted national occasions.

High competitiveness in the Roshan League 2025-2026

Today's matches come at a crucial juncture in the league season, as the competition enters its final third. This is a stage where the battle intensifies, both for the top spot and qualification for continental tournaments, and for survival against relegation. The current edition of the Roshan League has witnessed remarkable technical development and unprecedented global viewership, thanks to the attraction of some of the world's most prominent football stars. This places a significant responsibility on the referees to ensure the matches are conducted fairly and accurately.

Below is the complete list of referees for Thursday's matches in the Founding Day round:

Saudi football fans will be glued to their screens tomorrow evening, Friday, as Al-Qadisiyah travels to Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Najran to face Al-Akhdoud in a crucial match in the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League. This game comes at a critical juncture for both teams, whose ambitions differ between securing a top-flight status and battling to avoid relegation.

Al-Qadisiyah enters the match with its sights set on nothing less than three points, aiming to continue its strong performances this season and solidify its place in the top four. The Eastern Province team currently sits fourth in the standings with 47 points, accumulated from a remarkable run that includes 14 wins and five draws, suffering only two defeats. The Al-Qadisiyah players are well aware that any slip-up could jeopardize their ambitions of competing for continental qualification spots, especially after the dramatic turn of events in the last round when they snatched a last-gasp victory against Neom, compensating for their previous draw against Al-Fateh.

On the other hand, Al-Akhdoud finds itself in a precarious position, languishing in 17th place (second to last) with a mere 10 points. The team is suffering a sharp decline in results, having failed to secure a victory in its last seven matches since its sole win against Al-Kholoud, most recently suffering a defeat against Al-Hazm. Despite the daunting task against a star-studded Al-Qadisiyah side, Al-Akhdoud will rely on home advantage and the support of its fans, hoping to replicate the performance of the first leg and achieve a positive result that will revive its hopes of remaining in the top flight.

Historically, the two teams have met three times in the Professional League, with Al-Qadisiyah holding the advantage with a single 2-0 victory, while the other two matches ended in goalless draws. This suggests that Al-Akhdoud can sometimes prove a formidable defensive opponent. The match carries particular significance due to its direct impact on the league standings, both at the top and bottom, making it a fiercely competitive affair that transcends the mere three-pointer.

On the technical front, Al-Qadisiyah relies on a squad of international and local stars who have made a difference this season, led by the reliable Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels and Spanish defensive leader Nacho Fernandez, along with German Julian Weigl and Uruguayan Nahitan Nandez in midfield. In attack, the Mexican Julian Quignoni and the Italian Matteo Rettigny stand out, supported by young local talents such as Musab Al-Juwair, Jihad Zikri, and Mohammed Abu Shamat.

In contrast, Al-Akhdoud is relying on its foreign professionals to try and pull off an upset, most notably Norwegian Tokmac Nguyen, Brazilian Samuel Lima, Colombian Juan Pedroza, Cameroonian Christian Bassogog and his compatriot Ivan Nio, and Togolese Khaled Nari. These players will have to give their all to halt Al-Qadsia's advance and try to salvage their team's season before it's too late.