Al Hilal To Be Banned In The Near Future? SAFF Punishes Withdrawal From Saudi Super Cup
Al Hilal is banned from the Saudi Super Cup for a year and fined 500,000 Riyals for withdrawing from the 2025–26 edition due to player fatigue, breaching SAFF regulations.
Reigning champions Al Hilal will face a one-year ban from the Saudi Super Cup and a substantial fine after withdrawing from the upcoming 2025–26 edition of the competition, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's (SAFF) Disciplinary and Ethics Committee confirmed on Tuesday.
Al Hilal announced their decision to pull out of this season's four-team Super Cup, scheduled to take place in Hong Kong from August 19–23, citing player fatigue following their recent Club World Cup campaign.
The Riyadh-based side were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Brazil's Fluminense, losing 2–1 on July 4 — a match that concluded a long and demanding season for the squad.
Despite their reasoning, the SAFF ruled the withdrawal as a breach of regulations.
In an official statement, the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee declared:
'Al Hilal refused to participate in the Saudi Super Cup for the 2025–2026 season after the official schedule for the competition was issued.
The disciplinary body imposed a fine of 500,000 Saudi Riyals (approximately $133,000), which must be paid to the SAFF. Additionally, Al Hilal are banned from taking part in the 2026–27 edition of the Saudi Super Cup — should they qualify — and have been stripped of any financial benefits associated with this season's competition.
The ruling is subject to appeal, and the club has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded.
Al Hilal are the record holders of the Saudi Super Cup, having claimed their fifth title by defeating rivals Al Nassr last season. Their absence this year removes one of the competition's most decorated and high-profile teams.
Despite finishing second in the 2024–25 Saudi Pro League, behind champions Al Ittihad, their withdrawal meant that AFC Champions League winners Al Ahli were called up to fill the vacant semi-final slot. Al Hilal had originally been slated to face King's Cup runners-up Al Qadsiah on August 20.
(with Reuters inputs)
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