Abdulaziz Al-Massaad, undersecretary of the Saudi Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, announced that the Financial Sustainability Committee received contract requests totaling SAR3.7 billion (about $1 billion).
The committee approved SAR1.6 billion worth of requests after processing 410 approvals, rejecting 121, and canceling 60 out of 591 requests.
At a press conference in Riyadh, Al-Massaad highlighted that since the committee’s creation last year, it has rejected contracts worthSAR 1.5 billion between May 18, 2023 and August 18, 2024.
He also mentioned the committee’s efforts to handle legal cases against Saudi clubs, noting that 134 cases worth SAR229 million have been addressed, leaving 48 cases worthSAR 93 million unresolved.
Al-Massaad pointed out a drop in contract termination costs from SAR115.5 million in 2022 to SAR45.3 million in 2023, and then to SAR13 million this summer, showing the committee’s success in improving financial management.
He refuted claims that recent resignations of the presidents of Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr clubs were an attempt to pressure the committee for more financial support. He explained that the ministry deals with these situations according to established rules.
Al-Massaad said most clubs have received both approvals and rejections from the Financial Sustainability Committee for their contracts.
He noted that clubs had their budgets set at the start of the summer and could have planned their contracts accordingly. The committee has helped 13 clubs prepare two-year budget forecasts.
Al-Massaad mentioned that the committee is working to resolve legal cases using club revenues. Processing contract requests usually takes one to two business days, though some may take longer.
He added that club budgets come from various sources, not just recruitment. If there are delays in communication with club presidents, he assured that the ministry follows up and has a dedicated number for inquiries.
