Al Nassr awarded win in Rafea Al-Ruwaili case, final AFC Elite spot now up for grabs
Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — The Saudi Sports Arbitration Center has ruled in favor of Al Nassr in the eligibility case involving Al Orobah goalkeeper Rafea Al-Ruwaili, awarding Al Nassr a 3-0 victory and three points for their disputed February fixture in the Saudi Pro League.
The ruling, issued Sunday, overturned the original 2-1 result in favor of Al Orobah.
Al Nassr had filed an official protest over Al-Ruwaili's participation, presenting what the arbitration panel deemed compelling evidence of ineligibility.
The decision carries major ramifications ahead of the final round of fixtures on May 26. Al Nassr's points tally rises from 67 to 70, moving them into third place and keeping alive their hopes of qualifying for the AFC Champions League Elite — Asia's top-tier continental competition.
Al Orobah, on the other hand, drop to 27 points and are now mathematically relegated, even if they win their final match.The ruling has set up a dramatic final-day showdown between Riyadh rivals Al Hilal and Al Nassr, with only two direct qualification spots to the AFC Elite League up for grabs through league placement.Al Hilal, second with 72 points, can secure qualification by defeating Al Qadsiah or drawing — provided Al Nassr do not win.A loss by Al Hilal would open the door for Al Nassr to leapfrog them, should they beat Al Fateh and reach 73 points.Al Nassr, now third, must win and hope Al Hilal either draw or lose to claim second place and Elite qualification.Al Qadsiah, currently outside the top four, can qualify only by winning the King's Cup final or beating Al Hilal combined with an Al Nassr loss.Saudi Arabia will send three teams directly to the AFC Champions League Elite, while a fourth team will compete in the newly created AFC Champions League 2.The final day promises high-stakes drama as Al Hilal and Al Nassr fans follow their team's match — and their rival's — with every whistle potentially rewriting the script.With both clubs boasting historic rivalries and huge fanbases, the tension is set to reach fever pitch.Al Hilal controls its own fate, but Al Nassr — boosted by the arbitration ruling — has renewed belief that their season could end on a high note.Meanwhile, the ruling effectively ends Al Orobah's short-lived campaign in the top flight, with relegation now confirmed following the point deduction.
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