Noor's Bold Bet: Cash, Clerk-like Courage, and a Shaved-Head Prophecy

Noor's Bold Bet: Cash, Headwear, and a League Hype

Mohammed Noor, the former Al-Ittihad star and Saudi football icon, fired off a bold promise at the club's premises, echoing bets once made by global names like Gary Lineker and Ahmed Hossam "Mido".

While at the Union's headquarters to follow a basketball match, Noor pledged a 50,000 SAR cash prize for players should they clinch the Saudi Basketball League title.

To raise the stakes, Noor added that he would shave his head completely if the team lifts the league trophy, a spectacle that would turn more heads than a windy day at the arena.

The pledge comes as the title race heats up: Al-Ittihad sits fourth on 12 points, level with Al-Ala in third, while Al-Ahli leads the standings and Al-Nassr is close behind on 13 points.

Disciplinary Drama and Noor’s Take on Jaissle

The clash between Al-Ala and Al-Ahli produced tense moments, prompting the Saudi Basketball Federation's disciplinary committee to issue several sanctions. Five players were suspended: Will Reed (Al-Ahli) for 10 games plus a 10,000 SAR fine; Marzouk Al-Molad (Al-Ahli) for 6 games and 6,000 SAR; Abdul Aziz Al-Alawi (Al-Ala) for 6 games and 6,000 SAR; Ahmed Al-Mukhtar (Al-Ala) for 4 games and 10,000 SAR; and Khaled Saleh (Al-Ala) for 4 games and 10,000 SAR. Nyang Bouna, the Al-Ala fitness coach, received a 6-game ban and 4,000 SAR fine; Al-Ahli was fined 10,000 SAR for fan behavior, and Al-Ala was fined 20,000 SAR for spectator misconduct during the match.

Noor joined a growing list of stars who have wagered on dramatic moments to spur their sides. Ahmed Hossam "Mido" once bet on Leicester City to win the Premier League, while Gary Lineker famously went on air in his underwear on a show when it happened, a promise he reportedly kept. The question now is whether Noor will follow in those footsteps if Al-Ittihad wins the league.

In a separate turn, Noor criticized the German coach Matthias Jaissle, calling for his departure in the near term after Al-Ahli’s 1-1 draw with Riyadh in Week 7 of the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League at Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Stadium. Al-Ahli’s equalizer came via a 91st-minute penalty by Ivan Toney, leaving the team fifth with 13 points from three wins and four draws.

Jaissle’s journey with Al-Ahli has been a mix of high trophies and inconsistent league form. He previously steered Al-Ahli to the AFC Champions League for the Elite and opened this season by winning the Saudi Super Cup against Al-Nasr under Jorge Jesus. Domestically, results swung from early wins over Neom to draws with Al-Ettifaq and Al-Hilal, a comeback win over Al-Hazm, draws with Al-Shabab, a tight win over Al-Najma, and a draw with Riyadh. In the King Salman Cup, Al-Ahli beat Al-Arabi 5-0 in the Round of 32 and Al-Batin 3-0 in the Round of 16, advancing to the quarterfinals against Al-Qadisiyah. In the Elite AFC Champions League, the campaign opened with a 4-2 win over Nasaf, a 2-2 draw with Al-Duhail, and a 4-0 win over Al-Gharafa, confirming their status among Asia’s giants despite fluctuating domestic form.

Two light-hearted punchlines to send you off: Noor’s bet might finance a haircut, but his barber could file for sponsorships. If Al-Ittihad wins the league, Noor will join the sport’s most infamous “bald is bold” club—hairline optional, courage mandatory.