Al-Riyadh Club, which competes in the Saudi Professional League, announced new administrative and technical decisions aimed at restructuring the first football team's roster. The board of directors officially approved the departure of three of its players on loan during the current transfer period, in a move that reflects the club's desire to give the players a greater opportunity to participate and develop their levels, in addition to reducing the team's roster to make room for new signings.

Details of the loan of the Riyadh trio

The club issued an official statement today, Friday, detailing the next destinations for the departing players. The loan of Mohammed Al-Saeed to Al-Adalah was approved, while Rayan Al-Balushi to Al-Zulfi, and Sultan Al-Essa joined Al-Najma. The statement confirmed that the loan contracts for all three players will extend until the end of the current 2025/2026 season.

Extensive activity in Riyadh's transfer market

This move is not isolated; it follows a flurry of activity within the capital club. Earlier that same day, the club announced the signing of Algerian professional Victor Lekha to bolster its squad, while simultaneously thanking Iraqi professional Ibrahim Bayesh for his services and announcing his departure. These sweeping changes point to a tactical strategy aimed at salvaging the team's season and improving the quality of players available to the coach.

The team's position in the league and the upcoming match against Neom

These moves are of paramount importance given Al-Riyadh's position in the Saudi Professional League standings. The team currently sits in 16th place with only 12 points, a precarious position that threatens their survival in the top flight. Fans are hoping that the winter changes will help them turn things around and secure points in the remaining matches.

In related news, fans of the club are eagerly awaiting a crucial match as Al-Riyadh travels to face Neom at 5:25 PM this Friday. This match is part of the 21st round of the league, and Al-Riyadh will be looking to secure a positive result to boost their hopes of escaping the relegation zone and improving their position in the standings.

The loan policy adopted by the club with Al-Saeed, Al-Balushi and Al-Issa is a common strategic step in professional football clubs, as it allows young players or those who do not participate as a mainstay to get enough playing minutes in other clubs, which ensures their technical and physical readiness upon their return in the future, which benefits both the club and the players.

The draw for the semi-finals of the Spanish King's Cup, which took place today, Friday, resulted in some heavyweight clashes that promise great football excitement, as Barcelona will clash with their stubborn rivals Atletico Madrid in an early final, while the other side of the semi-finals will witness a pure Basque derby between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad.

According to the draw results, Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid will host Barcelona in the first leg, scheduled to take place this month in the capital, Madrid, while the Catalan club will host the decisive second leg in March, giving Barcelona a relative advantage by playing the decisive match on their home ground and in front of their fans.

This encounter carries a special historical and revenge-driven character, as it is a repeat of last year's semi-final scenario in the same tournament. Last season, the Catalan team managed to eliminate the "Rojiblancos" after two closely contested and high-scoring matches, ending with an aggregate score of 5-4 in favor of Barcelona, ​​who went on to win the title. This puts additional pressure on Atlético Madrid to try and avenge that defeat this season.

On the other side of the draw, Spanish fans eagerly anticipate a clash no less exciting and competitive, as Athletic Bilbao, renowned for its rich history in the Copa del Rey, hosts its fierce rival Real Sociedad in the first leg at San Mamés Stadium, while the return leg will be played at Sociedad's stadium in March. This encounter is known as the "Basque Derby," one of the oldest and most prestigious derbies in the history of Spanish football, where the rivalry transcends the pitch to reflect the pride of the Basque Country.

This season's Copa del Rey semi-finals hold immense strategic importance for all the participating teams. For Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, the cup represents a golden opportunity to salvage their season with a prestigious domestic title amidst fierce competition in La Liga. As for the Basque clubs, Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad, reaching the final is a historic dream for their fans, especially since Athletic Bilbao is historically the second most successful club in the competition's history after Barcelona and always strives to reaffirm its dominance in this tournament.

The matches are expected to witness a high level of tactical and technical competition, given the close levels and extensive experience of the coaches of the four teams, making it extremely difficult to predict the identity of the two finalists in light of these exciting circumstances.

In a surprising development that has shaken Moroccan and Arab sporting circles, multiple media reports indicate that national team coach Walid Regragui has officially resigned from his position at the helm of the "Atlas Lions." This shocking news comes at a highly critical time, less than four months before the start of the World Cup, jeopardizing the team's stability.

According to sources close to the decision, Regragui's decision not to continue in his role was not impulsive, but rather the result of accumulated pressures and immense strain related to upcoming commitments. Reports indicate that the weight of expectations and responsibility placed upon him led him to make the decision to step down, leaving the ball in the court of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.

A golden era and high expectations

The news of the resignation cannot be viewed in isolation from the historic achievements of Walid Regragui with the Moroccan national team. This young coach made history during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, leading the Atlas Lions to become the first Arab and African team to reach the semi-finals of the tournament. This unprecedented achievement raised the expectations of Moroccan fans to record levels, making any setback or inconsistency in performance a source of intense criticism and pressure.

Sensitive timing and risks of change

This resignation—if officially confirmed—gains its significance from its sensitive timing. Changing the coaching staff just months before a global event the size of the World Cup is a risky gamble that could negatively impact team cohesion and the tactical plans that have been developed over years. This scenario is reminiscent of previous changes to the national team's coaching staff, but the current situation is different due to Regragui's strong relationship with the players and the fans.

The decision rests with the Royal University

As of now, the final decision rests with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, headed by Fouzi Lekjaa. Regragui's fate and the future of the national team will depend on whether his resignation is accepted or rejected, and on attempts to persuade the coach to reconsider his decision in order to maintain the team's stability at this critical juncture. Moroccan fans are awaiting an official statement clarifying the situation and putting an end to the speculation that could negatively impact the players' morale and their preparations for the upcoming World Cup.