When the Lineup Debate Put Al-Qadsiah Under the Spotlight: A Saudi Pro League Saga

The Background: Protest over the lineup sheets

A Saudi press report details the fate of Al-Qadsiah’s protest against Al-Ahli, alleging administrative mistakes by the latter during Friday night’s clash. Al-Qadsiah asked for the match points, which Al-Ahli had won 2-1 in the ninth round of the Saudi Pro League.

The Root of the Dispute: Two lineups and a technical glitch

The Qadisiyah administration filed a formal complaint with the Saudi Football Federation, arguing that Al-Ahli submitted a lineup that differed from the players who actually took part in the game. The claim rests on the notion that Al-Ahli sent two sheets: one 75 minutes before kickoff and a second after regulation time had ended, with seven players in altered roles. Four of those changes started, while three were on the bench, and one player, Enzo Miu, was even removed from the roster entirely. Al-Ahli, however, started the match with Mohammed Suleiman, Valentin Atangana, and Ivan Tony, while Zakaria Hosawi, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, and Firas Al-Briqan remained on the bench, and Enzo Miu did not participate.

The protest argues that such changes, if confirmed, would contravene the league’s regulations. The claim cites Article 21 of the competition rules as the basis for a possible breach and a decision that could affect the match’s outcome.

What the officials said and the potential outcome

According to the Saudi press, the match observer liaised directly with the Professional League, having full knowledge of the administrative and technical details of the incident. The prevailing view is that the observer’s report will be decisive, as regulations require a demonstrable administrative error that impacts the match or its result to entertain a protest. The newspaper Al-Waqi’a noted that the incident stemmed from a technical fault in the system, which was handled according to standard procedures and in coordination with the league’s authorities, with professional and timely cooperation resolving the issue.

European and Asian highs: Al-Ahli’s setback and Cup showdowns

Meanwhile, Al-Ahli endured their first defeat of the season, losing 1-0 to Al-Sharjah in the AFC Champions League’s current edition’s fifth match. The loss left Al-Ahli at 10 points and second in West Asia group standings, while Sharjah rose to seven points in sixth place. The defeat also halted Al-Ahli’s long unbeaten run in Asian competition at 22 matches, a streak that had lasted since April 2021, ending after 1684 days as Othman Kamara scored in the 81st minute. Al-Ahli’s storied run had started during the 2020-2021 season and continued through last season, with four early appearances in the current campaign continuing a remarkable sequence.

The domestic calendar isn’t slowing down: Al-Ahli and Al-Qadsiah are set to meet again in the King’s Cup (Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup) quarterfinals on November 28. Al-Ahli advanced to this round after a 3-0 win over Al-Batin, while Al-Qadsiah defeated Al-Hazm 3-1. Other Cup ties see Al-Kholood vs Al-Khaleej and Al-Fateh vs Al-Hilal at the Kingdom Arena, while Al-Ittihad hosts Al-Shabab in the same round. Saudi Football Federation officials announced the semi-final draw would take place on Sunday, November 30.

As the dust settles, questions remain about the exact impact of administrative slips, the speed of regulation enforcement, and what it means for the integrity of the competition. Expect referees, observers, and league officials to scrutinize match-day paperwork with renewed vigor, and for fans to debate the fine print with renewed vigor and a few smart-aleck quips to keep it lively. Punchlines coming, because in football, even the paperwork can be a headliner.