Hope Sparks in the Riyadh Derby: Is Pablo Mari’s Eligibility a Rule or a Trap?

Al Nassr may protest Pablo Mari's participation tonight.

Legal adviser Ahmed Al-Ameer offered a glimmer of hope for Al Nassr to continue competing legally after the derby loss to Al Hilal, 3-1.

Context

Hilal surged to the top of the Saudi Pro League table, seven points clear after beating Al Nassr in Riyadh. Al-Ameer said Pablo Mari, the newly signed Al Hilal player, played in the derby despite not being legally eligible, and Al Nassr may file a protest. The derby in Riyadh is often a stage for political and sponsor chatter, not just a football match.

Legal Angles and Questions

He wrote on X: "The Spanish player Pablo Mari participated and was not legally eligible, but can Nassr file a protest? Yes, but it should have been filed within two hours of the final whistle."

The key question is on what legal basis the Professionalism and Players Status Committee approved Mari's registration as the tenth foreigner without meeting the fundamental condition in paragraph nine of the annual circular, which requires a financial clearance with one of the nine foreigners already on the list. The timing matters because clubs rely on timely appeals to influence registrations, squads, and sponsorship deals. A decision like this could reshape how clubs manage foreign quotas across seasons.

In short, the panel’s approval remains under scrutiny, and the league's newer circular may hint at procedural tweaks, not instant legality, as eight foreign players were already on the roster when Mari joined. Fans and pundits will watch how the league navigates such disputes carefully.