Diplomacy Meets Doubles: Can Al Ahli End the Breikan Saga?
13 November 2025
New Development
Saudi media reports a fresh development in the Firas Al-Breikan case, the Al Ahli Jeddah forward at the center of a dispute with his former club Al Fateh.
The trouble began last September when Fateh lodged a formal complaint accusing Breikan and his current club of negotiating outside the protected window, after which Breikan paid the stipulated clause to move to Al Ahli on a five-year deal.
Although the complaint had been dismissed earlier, Fateh did not concede and appealed to the Saudi Arbitration Center for sanctions against Breikan.
Notable Figures
The article notes that a well-connected Al Ahli insider with strong ties to Fateh’s officials has stepped in as a mediator to resolve the issue amicably.
Talks are described as an attempt to end the dispute by mutual agreement, ahead of a potential arbitration decision, with rapid developments in the case.
Recently, the Arbitration Center announced it had finished presenting arguments, meaning a verdict could arrive within days.
Key Numbers
Al Ahli benefited significantly from Breikan, who previously starred for Al Nasr and stood out as a youth prospect within the club’s ranks.
Breikan joined Al Ahli from Fateh in the summer of 2023, becoming one of the team’s main attacking threats.
He has made 92 appearances for Al Ahli, scoring 25 goals and providing 17 assists, while he featured 65 times for Fateh with 33 goals and 9 assists.
International and Future
Internationally, Breikan has proven influential, contributing to Saudi Arabia’s bid to reach the 2026 World Cup, with goals in qualification and a brace against Indonesia in the Asian playoff, narrowing the gap toward qualification.
He first wore the Saudi senior shirt in October 2019 under coach Herve Renard, and since then has earned 59 caps with 13 goals and 4 assists across all competitions, including the World Cup and Asian Cup.
Punchline 1: If the arbitration ruling is delayed, at least Breikan will have more time to perfect his celebration pose. Punchline 2: In football, as in life, sometimes the best defense is a good mediation session—plus a few well-timed shots on target.
