Multiple sources in Saudi League clubs told Asharq Al-Awsat that the slowdown in approvals of deals under the elite player recruitment program led to the collapse of deals in more than one club affiliated with the Ministry of Sports.

The elite player recruitment program comes within the framework of efforts to develop Saudi football and raise the level of competition in the league.

The governance of the recruitment program stipulates that the program's approval is a prerequisite for completing any deal financed through it, as the five-member recruitment committee does not permit completing any deal before reviewing and approving it.

More than one source in the clubs claimed that the delay in the review process caused the collapse of more than one deal under study, after players did not wait for procedures to conclude and signed with other clubs during the waiting period. The sources also reported that there are currently several pending deals with the recruitment committee, despite the clubs having completed their agreements with all parties, pending the program's approval, amid fears among some clubs that their deals will collapse due to the delay in response from the elite player recruitment committee.

According to Asharq Al-Awsat sources, the committee studies the financial cost of each deal and does not allow clubs to sign with players merely upon agreement on the transfer value and salaries. Instead, it requires evaluating the player in terms of his transfer value and salary, then determines the approved value. If the agreement is lower than the committee's assessment, it is approved. If it is higher, clubs are given the choice to pay the difference from their own budget or other funding sources, not from the club's budget allocated under the program, even if there is a surplus.

Based on Asharq Al-Awsat's inquiry regarding the reported delay in reviewing club requests under the recruitment program, the Saudi Professional League Association stated that there is no delay on the part of the program team in processing requests that meet requirements, stressing that the club's submission of a deal approval request does not necessarily mean approval will be issued; all requests are subject to review based on the documents and financial and contractual information provided by the club.

The League explained that the approved procedures are clear to the clubs, and that completing the requirements and submitting the necessary documents and information falls within the club's responsibility. The program cannot be held responsible for any delay or failure resulting from the club not meeting the approved requirements.

The League also indicated that the movements of the majority of clubs during the current transfer period are proceeding normally and without disruption, which confirms that the procedures do not constitute an obstacle for clubs that meet the requirements.

The League affirmed that these procedures were put in place to protect the clubs and ensure the soundness of their contractual decisions, after previous experiences showed the need for clearer controls to prevent clubs from bearing unstudied financial obligations, ensuring their financial sustainability and maintaining procedural fairness among all clubs.

Special sources confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the Spanish Jesus Arroyo, advisor to the CEO of the Saudi Professional League Association, has taken over management of the program, succeeding Aminalo, who left the Saudi Professional League Association.

During the current summer transfer period, Saudi Roshn League clubs have completed 28 official deals, while seven clubs have not yet announced any deal: Al-Nassr, Al-Shabab, Al-Ettifaq, Neom, Al-Hazm, Al-Fateh, and Abha.

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These issues highlight the importance of having flexible mechanisms that keep pace with the speed of the transfer market, especially with the growing demand for distinguished players. Attention is turning to how the committee will handle pending requests and the impact of that on clubs' plans for the upcoming season. The complaints also raise questions about the effectiveness of current procedures in achieving a balance between financial oversight and the speed of completing deals.