Al Hilal Sanctioned After Super Cup Withdrawal

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee has announced its decision regarding Al Hilal’s unexpected withdrawal from the upcoming Saudi Super Cup. The club has been fined 500,000 SAR and will be banned from participating in the next edition of the tournament.

Al Hilal officially apologized for pulling out of the competition, which will be held in Hong Kong from August 19, with the final set for August 23. The club cited intense season scheduling and the need to grant players rest following their involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup.

With Al Hilal stepping aside, Al Ahli Jeddah steps in to take their place. They’ll face Al Qadsiah in the semi-final, while Al Nassr will clash with Al Ittihad the day before.

Meanwhile, in Germany, Al Hilal’s pre-season camp is underway, with most of the foreign players reporting for duty — except one name stood out in absence: Portuguese midfielder Rúben Neves.

According to Arriyadiyah, Neves was granted three extra days of rest by head coach Simone Inzaghi. After a demanding summer — one that saw him lift the UEFA Nations League trophy with Portugal on June 8 against Spain, and then fight through to the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup with Hilal before falling to Fluminense on July 4 — a brief pause was well earned.