Final whistle on the Saudi birth-year drama: no tweaks to the under-21 rule this season

Final decision seals the birth-year rule through the season

The Saudi Football Federation has drawn the curtain on the birth-year players crisis in Roshen Pro League after issuing a final decision, according to press reports.

In recent weeks there have been disagreements in Saudi football circles due to some clubs pushing to amend the regulations governing the registration of under-21 foreign players, while others rejected such changes mid-season.

What the decision means

The Saudi daily Al-Yawm reported that the federation has decisively decided not to alter the under-21 birth-year system in Roshen Pro League at least until the end of the season.

It added that any move to change the birth-year rules will be discussed only after this season, to be applied in the 2026-2027 season.

Clubs react: Al-Hilal vs Al-Nassr

The decision ends the controversy that had erupted, led by Al-Hilal's desire to modify the clause, a move rejected by other clubs, notably Al-Nassr which issued a strongly worded statement.

Al-Nassr's statement

Al-Nassr's management had previously expressed concern about what it described as movements by the Saudi Football Federation to change the registration rules for under-21 foreign-born players.

In a message on the club's official channels, Nasr said that the club expresses deep concern about the latest moves to alter the registration rules for under-21 foreign-born players. These attempts did not succeed during the recent summer transfer window as clubs refused to change these rules in the final days of the period. Nasr has learned of new moves to adopt changes starting with the upcoming winter transfer window.

The statement added that changing the rules during registration periods or mid-season undermines the credibility and fairness of the competition and the integrity of the league, and the trust that keeps competitions cohesive.

Nasr continued that since adopting the under-21 rules, the club has respected them, planned acquisitions responsibly, and that clubs respecting the rules should not be punished by impulsive decisions or reactions. We call on decision-makers to protect the integrity of the league and resist pressures that serve particular interests. The league has become a symbol of ambition and excellence with state support, and any changes must meet those high standards of justice, transparency, and respect for the game. The club reserves all legal rights to act if laws or regulations are changed during the season without all clubs' consent, as such would violate fairness and parity of competition.

Saudi federation response

However, the Saudi press outlet Al-Riyadiya later reported a federation source denying any intention to change the birth-year clause during the current season, days after the Nasr statement.

The source noted that a workshop held with all clubs discussed the professional regulations and players' status as part of updating systems ahead of the next season, and denied any discussion about changes affecting under-21 players, stressing that such decisions come after technical analysis and do not involve voting while listening to clubs' views.

The federation had previously organized workshops with clubs to discuss professionalism and players, as part of a series of regulation-focused sessions.

Al-Hilal crisis

Al-Hilal is seen as the club most affected by the birth-year clause this season, having to register its Brazilian striker Marcus Leonardo as one of the eight foreign players above the age limit after surpassing 23 years.

Leonardo nearly exited the local squad entirely, given the impossibility of registering him as an under-21 player as last season, but he was re-registered after the Portuguese full-back Joao Cancelo was ruled out due to injury.

The decision triggered Cancelo's anger, who briefly rebelled against the club, but later returned after being promised a registration in January; a move that would be difficult if the birth-year clause remains unchanged.

Punchlines: If birth-year drama had a punchline, it would be, “Under 21, but over the drama.” And if referees keep counting, maybe they should count smiles next to card counts—keeps the game light and the fans hopeful.