Derby Dilemma: Is Pablo Mari's Appearance Legal in Saudi Pro League Drama?
13 January 2026
Legal status clarified
Legal advisor Ahmed Al-Sheikh clarified the legality of Pablo Mari's participation, the Spaniard who recently joined Al Hilal, in yesterday's derby with Al Nassr.
Winter window rule explained
Mari came on in the 76th minute as Al Hilal won 3-1 in round 15 of the Roshen Saudi Pro League.
Implications for the league
Al-Sheikh said on the Nadina program that Mari's appearance was fully legal after he was registered on the roster following the removal of a foreign player, such as Kalidou Koulibaly or Yassine Bono. He noted that on January 11 the Professional League issued a circular allowing clubs to drop a foreigner from the local list and temporarily register another during the winter window, which runs until February 11.
The advisor also warned that Roshen's procedures and budgets are effectively split into two parts, a setup that does not aid fair play and that the decisions are not ideal for the competition.
Punchline 1: If the rulebook bends for a derby, perhaps it should bend for my fantasy team too—call it the bendy-bench policy.
Punchline 2: Timing is everything in football; Mari timed his entry perfectly while I timed my snack break. Pass the popcorn.
