Delay Dilemma: Is Round 10 Postponement Breaking the Saudi Pro League Rules?
14 December 2025
What happened
New reports reveal a potential breach of a core Saudi Pro League scheduling rule in the 2025-2026 season after Round 10 was postponed.
The league announced the postponement would push Round 10 into February, noting the decision followed Saudi Arabia's qualification for the Arab Cup 2025 semifinals.
Asharq Al-Awsat reported that the move could contravene a key standard governing the season's fixtures, a point the league had previously stated.
The issue centers on two clauses that prohibit any club from playing more than two consecutive matches at home or away.
The postponement would mean Al Ittihad would stage three straight home games (Rounds 8, 9 and 11) after the delay, while the corresponding sequence would force Al Khaleej to play three away matches.
The newspaper notes that the postponement stretches the schedule beyond the two-match cap, pushing three games into a single block in the home/away rotation.
It also notes that the league has told the press that the postponement is extraordinary, justified under the competition's first principle, allowing adjustments in exceptional circumstances.
The tenth round was due to begin on December 19, just after the Arab Cup's final or third-place match, leaving the Saudi team with critical fixtures to resolve.
What it means for fairness and timing
Fans and clubs are debating whether the exceptional scheduling is fair, and whether player welfare is preserved under a tighter rhythm with three-game runs.
Authorities say the move was taken to balance national team duties with the league's integrity, promising continued monitoring of the calendar in coming weeks.
As the season progresses, observers will watch for any sanctions or adjustments to the rule book to prevent a repeat of such timing drama.
Punchline 1: If the calendar keeps shifting, even my own schedule would file a complaint for unfair play. Punchline 2: In this league, timing is so flexible that the whistle should come with a pause button and a coffee break.
