Sami Al-Jaber Says Al Hilal Made the Right Call by Skipping the Saudi Super Cup 2025

Context and Decision

Sami Al-Jaber, the legend of Al Hilal and Saudi football, argues that the withdrawal from the 2025 Saudi Super Cup was the right call, adding that the sanctions did not reflect the strength of the competition.

In a televised interview, Al-Jaber said Al Hilal made the right decision by withdrawing from the Saudi Super Cup. They did so because they participated in the Club World Cup, which would impact the team at the start of the league, and many observers saw the effect clearly.

Calendar Critique and Aftermath

He added that the coach Simone Inzaghi always notes the pre-season setup was not enough, especially if the team would have participated in the Super Cup.

He argued that FIFA requires at least 21 days of rest before a new season, and Paris Saint Germain paid a price for not having that pause at the start of the campaign.

Those 21 days are considered a negative rest after a long season, and the Super Cup involves four teams rather than a single match, and it was staged in Hong Kong rather than in Saudi Arabia.

He stressed that the sanctions on Al Hilal were overly harsh, built on an incorrect framework, and such penalties do not suit a competition of this type.

He criticized the whole Saudi Super Cup for timing, marketing, and a lack of clear rules, which keeps fans and clubs inside a frustrating loop.

He called out the competitions committee for lacking a complete five year agenda and for misaligned dates in the Saudi Pro League.

If a Saudi team like Al Hilal participates in the Club World Cup 2025 through July, how could you schedule a league match in August and when will we get a five year calendar?

He added that those responsible for the league calendar often place important matches after international breaks, leaving the two giants uncomfortable.

He noted that in Spain plans for two Miami matches to support the United States 2026 World Cup were canceled after opposition from clubs, a precedent that should be considered.

He warned that if the national team reaches the Arab Cup 2025 final, clubs with players in the squad could be penalized in the Saudi League the day after the tournament ends.

He also pointed out that Al Hilal would miss Yassine Bounou and Kalidou Koulibaly for a month due to AFCON, while Al Nassr would miss Sadio Mane and Al Ahli would be without Riyad Mahrez, Frank Kessié, and Édouard Mendy.

To be fair, he said this season's schedule is among the toughest, especially with the 2026 World Cup looming, and leagues must wrap up by May to avoid conflicts.

In closing, Al Jaber argued there should have been a broad and organized calendar from the start to prevent such issues.

Aftermath and Repercussions

Last July, Al Hilal apologized for not participating in the Saudi Super Cup due to time constraints after their Club World Cup run in the United States, reaching the quarterfinals.

The Disciplinary Committee decided to let Al Ahli compete instead, penalizing Al Hilal with a ban from the next edition and a 500000 SAR fine.

Al Ahli won the semifinal 5-1 against Al Qadsiah, while Al Nassr defeated Al Ittihad 2-1 in the other semifinal.

Hours before the final, the Appeals Committee overruled several decisions, declaring Al Hilal semifinal loss to Al Qadsiah a 0-3 forfeit.

The Appeals Committee also banned Al Hilal from the first knockout round of the 2026-2027 season and maintained a 500000 SAR fine.

The club has appealed to the Saudi Arbitration Center, which will appoint three arbitrators to issue a final ruling.

Punchline time, because sport calendars deserve a good joke: this schedule is so tight that even the stopwatch filed for a vacation. And if calendars were rifles, this season would be a sniper—hitting deadlines from miles away and still missing the kickoff.