Sports

Al-Musahal reveals the truth about changing the number of foreign players in the Saudi League

Yasser Al-Mishal clarifies the truth about changing the number of foreigners in the Roshan League for the next season, stressing that the interest of the Saudi national team is the basic criterion for any new decision.

Published

2 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

Yasser Al-Mishal, President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation

Yasser Al-Misehal, president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, has put an end to the debate circulating in sporting circles regarding the possibility of changing the number of foreign players in the Saudi Professional League during the upcoming 2026/2027 season. Al-Misehal's statements effectively quelled the recent rumors about reducing or increasing the current number.

Al-Musahal's statements regarding the foreigners file

Al-Mishal stated in a press conference on Tuesday: "The issue of the number of foreign players is subject to a thorough and ongoing annual review, and as of now, there is no decision to change the current number." The federation president explained that there is continuous coordination and regular meetings with officials from the Professional League Association to assess the technical, financial, and marketing impact of any potential changes to the regulations.

Al-Musahal added, emphasizing the basic criterion for any future decision: “Any study that is completed and proves that it is in the interest of Saudi football in general, and the national team in particular, will be announced and adopted immediately, but until now the situation continues as it is and there is no change in the number of foreign players.”.

The current system for foreign players in the Roshan League

According to current regulations, each club in the Saudi Professional League (SPL) is entitled to register 10 foreign players on its official roster, provided that two of them are born in 2004 or later, to ensure investment in young talent. The rules stipulate that only 8 foreign players may participate in a single matchday squad, except in the King's Cup and the Saudi Super Cup, where the full quota is permitted. For the SPL (First Division), the maximum is 4 foreign players, while the Second Division allows 3.

Historical background and development of the Saudi League

Saudi football has witnessed an unprecedented qualitative leap in recent years, with the Saudi League transforming into a global destination attracting top football stars. The number of foreign players has gradually increased over the years, from four to seven, then to eight, culminating in the current system that allows for the registration of ten players. This progression aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to position the Saudi League among the top ten leagues in the world in terms of market value, technical quality, and fan base.

The balance between the strength of the league and the national team's interests

Al-Musahal's statements underscore the Saudi Football Federation's commitment to striking a delicate balance between enhancing the league's competitiveness by attracting international stars and preserving the identity and strength of the Saudi national team. While the increased number of foreign players has undoubtedly contributed to raising the level of competition, developing infrastructure, and providing valuable experience for local players, the Federation prioritizes providing Saudi players with playing time to ensure the national team's readiness for upcoming international competitions, particularly the World Cup qualifiers and Asian Cup tournaments. This explains the Federation's consistent emphasis that any changes are contingent upon the best interests of the national team.

Sports

Youssef En-Nesyri joins Al-Ittihad, and N'Golo Kanté joins Fenerbahçe... Details of the deal

Youssef En-Nesyri terminates his contract with Fenerbahçe and joins Saudi club Al-Ittihad in a blockbuster deal that sees N'Golo Kanté move to Turkey. Learn the details of the transfer and when he'll be making his debut against Al-Nassr.

Published

28 minutes ago

February 4, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

Youssef En-Nesyri in a Fenerbahçe jersey

Moroccan star Youssef En-Nesyri, striker for the first football team of Turkish club Fenerbahce, has made a major surprise in the transfer market, after he officially terminated his contract with his current team, in preparation for moving to the Saudi club Al-Ittihad “Al-Ameed” during the current transfer period.

According to information from reliable journalist Yağız Sabunçoğlu, Youssef En-Nesyri made the decisive decision to unilaterally terminate his contract in the past few hours, thus ending his time in Turkish football and paving the way for his official move to Al-Ittihad. This bold move comes as part of a shared desire between the player and the Jeddah club's management to bolster their attack with world-class players capable of making a difference.

Kante moves to Türkiye in an indirect swap deal

In a related development, the transfer of French star N'Golo Kanté to Turkish club Fenerbahçe has been confirmed. He will replace Youssef En-Nesyri at the Turkish club, albeit in a different position. This move came after Kanté refused to extend his contract with Al-Ittihad, following the breakdown of previous transfer negotiations. The deal was finally finalized with his departure to the Turkish league, thus freeing up a spot for En-Nesyri to be registered in Al-Ittihad's squad.

A race against time before Al-Nassr's classic match

Al-Ittihad's management is racing against time to finalize all administrative and legal procedures related to registering Youssef En-Nesyri with the Saudi Professional League. This urgency stems from the coaching staff's desire to utilize the services of the "Moroccan Lion" in the highly anticipated and crucial match against Al-Nassr in the Saudi Professional League's top fixture. Al-Ittihad fans are heavily relying on En-Nesyri's scoring prowess to secure victory in this classic encounter.

A distinguished career and added artistic value to the Roshan League

Youssef En-Nesyri's move to the Saudi league is a significant addition, given his illustrious career. En-Nesyri has made a name for himself in European football, particularly with Sevilla FC in Spain, where he played a key role in the team's two Europa League titles, thanks to his decisive goals and trademark leaping ability.

On the international stage, football fans will never forget En-Nesyri's heroic performance with the Moroccan national team at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where he led the Atlas Lions to an unprecedented historic achievement by reaching the semi-finals, scoring the historic winning goal against Portugal with a stunning, gravity-defying leap. This accumulated experience makes him a winning acquisition by all accounts for Al-Ittihad, a club striving to reclaim its former glory and compete strongly for all domestic and continental titles.

The impact of the deal on the balance of power

The arrival of En-Nesyri is expected to transform Al-Ittihad's attack, as the team has long lacked a true "number 9" striker with En-Nesyri's high-pressing and aerial prowess. Conversely, Kante's departure represents a significant loss in midfield, but replacing him with a lethal striker could restore balance to the squad, especially given the fierce competition with Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ahli for the top spot in the Saudi League, which has garnered global attention.

Sports

Morocco appeals against sanctions imposed after Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal

The Moroccan Football Federation has officially appealed against the CAF sanctions following the events of the Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal, demanding harsher penalties commensurate with the riots and withdrawal.

Published

34 minutes ago

February 4, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

Events of the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal

The Moroccan Football Federation, in an escalation aimed at protecting the national team's rights, has officially announced its decision to appeal the sanctions issued by the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) Disciplinary Committee. This decision comes in the wake of the controversial events that marred the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat two weeks ago.

Details of the crisis and disciplinary decisions

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Committee issued a series of financial penalties and suspensions against both sides last Thursday. However, the Moroccan Football Federation deemed these decisions unfair and not reflective of the extent of the violations committed by the Senegalese team. In an official statement released on Tuesday, the Moroccan Federation asserted that the final match witnessed serious transgressions, most notably "the temporary withdrawal of the Senegalese players and staff, the pitch invasion by their fans, and the resulting widespread chaos and rioting that threatened the integrity of the competition.".

The Moroccan side believes that the imposed sanctions “do not correspond to the seriousness and gravity of these events,” especially since the Senegalese Federation decided not to appeal, which implicitly indicates its acceptance of the sanctions, which Morocco considered lenient compared to what happened.

The dramatic match scenario in Rabat

The match, played on January 18, was marked by unprecedented tension, with play halted for nearly fifteen minutes in the dying moments of regulation time. The crisis erupted when Senegal's players threatened to walk off the pitch in protest after a goal they had scored was disallowed and a penalty was awarded to Morocco following a VAR review. Despite the players returning and the match resuming, Ibrahim Diaz missed the penalty, allowing Senegal to ultimately secure the title with a goal in extra time.

The excitement was not limited to goals, but extended to include psychological warfare and unsportsmanlike behavior, as players from Morocco and ball boys hid the towels belonging to Senegal's goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy, in a scene that sparked widespread controversy.

The complete list of sanctions and their impact

CAF imposed strict sanctions, including:

Senegalese side: Coach Pape Thiaw suspended for 5 matches and fined $100,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct. Players Elman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr suspended for 2 matches each. The Senegalese Football Federation fined a total of $600,000 ($300,000 for fan misconduct and $300,000 for team conduct).
On the Moroccan side: Captain Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two matches (one suspended), and Ismail Saïbari was suspended for three matches and fined $100,000. The Moroccan Football Federation was also fined $200,000 for the conduct of its ball boys and $100,000 for players invading the VAR room.

This appeal comes at a time when African football is witnessing fierce competition, as Morocco seeks to confirm its continental and international standing not only technically, but also administratively, by ensuring the strict application of the principles of justice and fair play.

Sports

Today's fixtures (Wednesday): City vs. Newcastle and Yellow Submarine

Check out today's match schedule for the Carabao Cup, Copa del Rey, and Yellow Subs. Also, find out about the Manchester City vs. Newcastle clash and other crucial European cup matches.

Published

43 minutes ago

February 3, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

Football fans will be glued to their television screens this Wednesday for a packed day of exciting matches across various international and local venues. The day features a host of important fixtures in prestigious European cup competitions, as well as matches in the Saudi First Division League, promising a rich football feast for fans of all affiliations.

English summit and European cup battle

In England, the spotlight is on the Carabao Cup, where giants Manchester City face Newcastle United in a heavyweight clash. This match carries particular significance given the fierce competition among England's top clubs to win the first trophy of the season. City will be looking to reaffirm their dominance, while Newcastle will be aiming to continue their ambitious project and challenge the established giants.

On the other European front, the competition is heating up in Spain's Copa del Rey, a tournament renowned for its dramatic upsets. Matches between established clubs like Valencia, Athletic Bilbao, and Real Sociedad stand out, as this competition represents a golden opportunity for these teams to reach the podium and secure a European spot for next season. In Italy, Inter Milan faces a crucial test against Torino in the Coppa Italia, while French and German stadiums host equally exciting matches in their respective domestic cup competitions, where there is no room for error.

Excitement of the Saudi Yellow League

Locally, the Saudi Professional League continues its momentum, with several crucial matches that could shape the promotion race and the fight to avoid relegation. Among the highlights are encounters between clubs with a long history in Saudi football, such as Al-Faisaly, Al-Batin, and Al-Wehda (as per the attached schedule), each striving to secure three points to improve their position in the standings, amidst the significant development of the competition and its growing fan base.