The Saudi Pro League has called off this weekend’s full round of fixtures to recalibrate the calendar following the cancellation of the Asian Cup. Clubs such as Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal face logistical challenges, with some players skipping matches and others’ family members staying overseas.
Regional Conflict Disrupts Saudi Pro League Scheduling
The Saudi Pro League (SPL) confirmed that the upcoming weekend’s full round of fixtures has been called off. While the league stated that the calendar is being recalibrated to achieve a “more balanced distribution of fixtures” following the cancellation of the Asian Cup, the move follows a period of heightened regional volatility. Last month, three domestic league games were postponed in the immediate aftermath of an attack on a major airport in Riyadh. At the time, the SPL attributed the shifts to “mandatory minimum rest periods between matches and to accommodate logistical requirements.”
Logistical Gridlock in the AFC Champions League
The operational strain extends beyond domestic borders, severely impacting the AFC Champions League. Al-Nassr, featuring high-profile stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Kingsley Coman, opted not to send their key personnel to Uzbekistan for this week’s fixture. The club cited the “pressure of matches and the amount of travel involved” as the reason for the absences. The ripple effect of these security concerns is also evident in the United Arab Emirates, where Al-Wasl chose not to travel to Saudi Arabia for a scheduled match against Al-Nassr, forcing the fixture to be rearranged.
| Team | Impacted Event | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Nassr | AFC Champions League (vs. Uzbekistan) | Key players withdrawn |
| Al-Wasl | AFC Champions League (vs. Al-Nassr) | Match postponed |
| Saudi Pro League | Weekend Round | League-wide cancellation |
Player Families Opt for UK Relocation
The instability is directly impacting the personal lives of the league’s high-profile imports. Ellie Watkins, wife of Al-Hilal forward Ollie Watkins, confirmed via TikTok that she has returned to the UK with their two children. “We’ve had a bit of a plot twist,” she stated. “I have come back to the UK for a little bit. There’s just a little bit of conflict and things going on over in Saudi and we basically decided just to stay here. I felt like I needed to do that for the kids so there is some form of normality until we can get back out there and all be together.”
🚨 OFFICIAL – The Saudi Pro League has postponed Matchweek 13 following the rescheduling of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. The league confirmed the decision on Tuesday as it reviews the domestic fixture calendar. The matchweek had been due to begin shortly, but the revised Asian Cup… pic.twitter.com/kBczLxh03b
Broader Implications for Star-Studded Rosters
The Saudi Pro League has invested heavily to attract global talent, including Gabriel Martinelli, Tijjani Reijnders, Darwin Nunez, Ivan Toney, Alexandre Lacazette, Ruben Neves, Sadio Mane, and Joao Felix.
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