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Middle East conflict hits Saudi football: SPL postpones matches after Asian Cup delay

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The calendar disruption comes amid severe domestic security threats, including a Houthi-claimed assault on Riyadh's international airport that left at least 12 people dead and over 300 injured. Continental club competitions are also stalling, evidenced by visiting UAE club Al-Wasl refusing to travel to Riyadh to face Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr. In addition to local football delays, international events like Formula One and the WTA Finals have faced cancellations and relocations. Saudi officials are now evaluating replacement fixture dates alongside the newly opened gaps in the Asian football schedule.

Key points

  • Escalating regional security threats and deadly strikes are heavily disrupting profession…: Escalating regional security threats and deadly strikes are heavily disrupting professional sporting operations across Saudi Arabia.
  • Saudi Pro League organizers are undertaking a comprehensive review of their domestic cale…: Saudi Pro League organizers are undertaking a comprehensive review of their domestic calendar before rescheduling the postponed fixtures.
  • Major international sports properties continue to cancel regional events or relocate them…: Major international sports properties continue to cancel regional events or relocate them to venues outside the Middle East.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

The impact of the escalating conflict in the Middle East on Saudi football has widened, with the Saudi Pro League (SPL) postponing Matchweek 13 after the 2027 AFC Asian Cup was pushed back by almost a year amid security concerns and logistical challenges in the region.

The SPL announced the decision on Tuesday, just two days before the scheduled start of the gameweek, saying it would review the domestic fixture calendar following the change in dates of the continental tournament. The new dates for the postponed league matches will be announced once the review is complete.

"The decision comes as part of a wider review of the 2026-27 RSL (Roshn Saudi League) fixture schedule, with the revised Asian Cup dates creating additional flexibility in the domestic football calendar," the league said in a statement.

The postponement follows the AFC's decision to move the Asian Cup from its original January 7-February 5, 2027 window to December 23, 2027-January 21, 2028. The tournament, which will feature 24 teams across eight venues in Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar, has been affected by developments in…

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