Saudi Pro League clubs in stand-off with league over late foreign player rule change

Saudi Pro League clubs are preparing a coordinated challenge to new foreign player regulations they say could undermine their technical planning, youth investment and competitive balance less than two weeks before the new season begins.

Several sides in the Saudi Pro League (Dawri Roshn) have held intensive talks in recent days after the league’s governing body approved amendments to the rules governing the registration and use of foreign players, according to Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat.

Clubs intend to take formal steps to oppose the changes by appealing to a higher authority and asking for the decision to be reviewed before it comes into force. Officials at a number of teams believe the revised regulations will have an immediate negative impact on their squad building and on long-term projects in youth and age-group teams involving foreign players.

Club sources argue that the timing of the move – with the league due to kick off in under a fortnight – threatens what they view as the principle of equal opportunity, as many sides have already finalised transfer and technical plans based on the previous framework.

New restrictions on foreign players in youth squads

Under the amended regulations, the additional youth list must be made up of Saudi players, or, if non-Saudi, they must be born in Saudi Arabia.

In practice, this bars clubs from registering foreign players from outside that category in their under-21 squads, while limiting them to 10 foreign players eligible to appear for the first team in league competition.

The Saudi Pro League has indicated the move is designed to close what it saw as a loophole in the old system. In recent seasons, some clubs had registered foreign players in youth or under-21 squads, then drafted them into the first team to cover for injuries or absences, thereby effectively ensuring they could still field 10 foreign players in each matchday squad.

League officials believe that approach reduced opportunities for young Saudi players to feature, and say that concern lies behind the decision to tighten the rules.

Clubs say they were not properly consulted

However, a number of clubs maintain that the changes were pushed through without full agreement and without what they regard as proper final consultation.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that pre-season workshops held before the regulations were issued were meant for exchanging views and debating proposals, not for signing off binding amendments. Representatives from several clubs are understood to have expressed reservations about the ideas when they were first tabled.

Those opposed to the new rules argue that the revised youth list requirements place extra constraints on their ability to gain technical benefit from foreign players signed specifically to strengthen development squads and age-group teams.

They also fear that having to adapt so close to the start of the campaign, when contracts and tactical plans have been constructed on the basis of the old rules, could disrupt preparations and affect the integrity of the competition unless the decision is revisited.

Clarification promised on cup and U21 participation

In parallel with the clubs’ moves, the league has informed teams that it will, in the coming days, provide a detailed explanation of how foreign players registered with under-21 squads will be allowed to participate.

The Saudi Pro League will also set out how these players can feature in the King’s Cup (Copa del Custodio de las Dos Mezquitas Sagradas) and the Saudi Super Cup. Last season’s regulations allowed any foreign player – whether registered with the first team or under-21s – to take part in those cup competitions, provided the total number of foreign players on the pitch in any given match did not exceed 10.

The forthcoming clarification is expected to outline whether that approach will continue or be modified in line with the new league registration rules.

Shifts in power among Saudi Pro League clubs

According to further reporting in Asharq Al-Awsat, the group of clubs opposing the amendments believes there has been a notable shift in the balance of power within the Saudi Pro League over the past three years.

Sources say the traditional heavyweights no longer wield the same influence they once did in blocking or reshaping regulatory decisions, partly because coordination between them has diminished.

At the same time, a coalition of other clubs has emerged with stronger internal alignment on key issues during league meetings. That bloc has been more cohesive in its voting and positions, and is seen as having helped push through a number of recent regulatory measures, including the latest changes to the foreign player registration and participation rules.

With the new season fast approaching, the standoff leaves the Saudi Pro League facing mounting pressure from within its own membership to reconsider a regulation change that many clubs feel comes too late and imposes limits on foreign player strategy at both first-team and youth levels.