The Saudi Super Cup Legal Showdown: When Ahli Joins the Case and the Whistle Blows on Legality
13 December 2025
A bold rules expert dropped a heavy bombshell, asserting that Ahli’s entry into the Saudi Super Cup dispute between Al Hilal and the Saudi Football Federation is against the law.
News reports had already confirmed Ahli’s appearance as a new party in the case being reviewed by the Saudi Sports Arbitration Center, due to Al Hilal’s withdrawal from the Super Cup last August.
Ahmed Al-Shaikhy, the legal expert, commented: "Ahli joined the case to serve its own interests, because it shares with Al Hilal the same objective, namely fixing the results of the tournament that the western club won."
He added: "Fixing the results would mean Hilal’s absence did not affect the competition after four teams played three matches, which could erase penalties previously imposed."
Disciplinary actions on Al Hilal
He clarified: "But the case concerns only disciplinary sanctions against Al Hilal, and therefore Ahli or Qadsia have no bearing here; adding either would not aid the arbitration body and would be illegal."
He continued: "Hilal asked to include Ahli because Ahli reportedly holds documents and correspondence with the federation proving the federation requested Ahli’s involvement instead of Hilal, so the city’s absence would be inconsequential."
He concluded: "If Qadsia or the inclusion of Ahli were accepted, it would open a very wide door for future cases that will be hard to close."
What did Hilal do in the Super Cup?
In July, Hilal apologized for not participating in the Saudi Super Cup due to time constraints after competing in the Club World Cup 2025 in the United States, reaching the quarterfinals.
The disciplinary committee then arranged for Ahli to participate in the Saudi Super Cup 2025 at Hilal’s expense, penalizing the "Leaders" by excluding them from the next edition and fining 500,000 riyals.
Indeed, Ahli played, defeating Qadsia 5-1 in the semifinal, setting up a meeting with Al Nassr, who beat Al Ittihad 2-1 in the other semifinal.
Moments before the final, the appeal committee shocked everyone by revising key disciplinary decisions, notably declaring Hilal the 0-3 loss to Qadsia in the semifinal.
The appeal committee also banned Hilal from participating in the first knockout competition of the 2026-2027 season, with a 500,000 riyal fine.
Hilal then turned to the Saudi Arbitration Center to appeal, and requested Ahli be included as a party, a request that was approved recently.
Punchline 1: If law is the referee, this saga just got a red card for everyone.
Punchline 2: And if the paperwork keeps piling up, even the whistle might ask for a snack break.
