Banner Backlash: Compliance Probes Jeddah Derby Over Insulting Banner

In the Saudi Pro League’s latest compliance moment, the league’s governing body contacted Al-Ittihad about a banner deemed insulting toward Al-Ahli during the Jeddah derby at the Enmaa Stadium. The banner’s message sparked a wave of reactions across fans and officials alike, prompting the league’s compliance committee to seek explanations from the club.

The match ended with Al-Ahli securing a 1-0 victory, thanks to a goal from Algerian star Riyad Mahrez. The result left the standings showing Al-Ahli higher on the table while Al-Ittihad sat further back in the pack, highlighting how off-field incidents can echo on the pitch.

Saudi newspaper Al-Yom reported that the committee asked Al-Ittihad to clarify the incident from their supporters in the stands. The club replied that monitoring and policing the terraces was not its responsibility and that the issue did not reflect the club’s official stance.

The Union’s administration stressed that the insult was a lone act by a small group of supporters and that the club itself bears no accountability for individual fan behavior. The public dispute soon shifted from the banners to broader debates about fan conduct and stadium safety in a heated derby context.

Tifo of Shame

A section of Al-Ittihad fans unfurled a banner reading "Shame" in reference to Al-Ahli’s relegation to the second tier, a provocative gesture that drew swift backlash from Al-Ahli’s leadership and supporters. The display transcended the stadium and ignited discussions across social media and sports television, underscoring how a single banner can spark a broader controversy beyond the match day.

With the win, Al-Ahli climbed to fifth in the table with 16 points, while Al-Ittihad remained eighth on 11 points, illustrating how a derby can reshuffle perceptions even when the title race is not decided on the field alone.

Decisive Move on the Two Union Stars

Separately, Portuguese coach Sergio Conceissoa formally urged the club to secure new deals for Karim Benzema and Danilo Pereira before the January transfer window opens. The aim, according to reports, is to stabilize the squad by keeping two core contributors who have been central to the team’s setup this season.

The reports note that Al-Ittihad’s management plans to open talks with the players’ agents in the near future, seeking terms that ensure the duo remains with the team beyond the current deal window. Benzema joined in 2023 after a long spell at Real Madrid, while Danilo Pereira arrived in 2024 from Paris Saint-Germain, both contributing significantly since their arrivals.

Preparing the Injured Duo

After the international break, Al-Ittihad is set to host Al-Riyadh on Friday, November 21, as part of the ninth round of the league. The club’s medical and technical staff are intensifying rehab programs for Ahmed Sharahili and Moath Faqih to have them match-ready when action resumes.

Sharahili is nursing a thigh muscle injury, while Faqih is sidelined with a foot joint issue. The club’s plan focuses on a careful but effective return-to-play pathway to minimize risk ahead of a busy schedule in the coming weeks.

Union Competes for Green’s Talent

Al-Ittihad has entered the race with rivals like Al-Nassr and Neom for the signature of Sabri Dhal, a 17-year-old midfielder from Al-Fayha and a Saudi national youth international. The Royal Court of negotiations is said to be underway with Al-Fayha to gauge the club’s asking price and terms prior to engaging the player’s representatives.

Sabri Dhal signed his professional contract with Al-Fayha last year for three years and has featured for the Saudi U17 team in major youth tournaments, including a standout performance where he scored the winning goal against New Zealand. His emerging talent is drawing interest from top clubs looking to secure his development path for the long term.

Schedule Change for the Match

The Saudi Professional League’s club association approved a shift in kick-off times: Al-Hilal vs Al-Fateh will now begin at 16:00 rather than 20:30. Additionally, the Al-Ittihad vs Al-Riyadh game on Friday, November 21, will move to 18:00. The adjustments were made at the expressed wishes of two of the league’s biggest clubs and were coordinated to minimize conflicts with other fixtures.

These changes illustrate the league’s ongoing balancing act between competitive integrity and commercial/attendance considerations, especially when it involves top teams with large fan bases.

Punchline time: If football is a language, then banners are the punctuation—and sometimes, a semi-colon just sits there wondering if it should have been a comma. And as for transfers, if you think your team’s plans are set, remember: contracts are just elaborate reminders that the calendar still has the last say. Now go enjoy the game—preferably with fewer banners, more goals, and a referee who can decipher a fan’s emoji as well as a playbook.