Adnan Jastaniah

When the Masses Speak.. A Critical Reading of the President of Al-Ittihad's Responses

July 24, 2026 - 00:00 | Last updated July 24, 2026 - 00:00

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At the outset, I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the President of Al-Ittihad Club, Engineer Fahad Sindi, who did not object to publishing the conversation that took place between us via WhatsApp. In return, I was frank with him, and I clarified to him that if he insists on continuing and not submitting his resignation, my position will be in opposition, which he accepted calmly, without showing displeasure or refusal, a stance that reflects his respect for the media and the message of the word.

- Based on that, and after publishing my article titled 'Abu Fares, the President of Al-Ittihad, responds to Abu Fares the journalist,' I followed the reactions that came - in general - dissatisfied and not convinced by what was mentioned in his answers. This consensus, from my point of view, reflects that Engineer Fahad Sindi has lost a large part of the trust of the Al-Ittihad fans, a fact that may be painful, but it deserves to be paused at.

- Moreover, what he talked about regarding reform attempts undertaken by the Board of Directors, or the executive and technical administrations, or what he intends to do in the future, is no longer sufficient to convince the fans, in light of the absence of practical indicators reflecting the existence of a reform project that keeps pace with the next phase and meets the needs of the first team, which remain clearly visible.

- And since Abu Fares has thought well of me and my pen, I, with all love and appreciation, put before him this critical reading of his responses, based on what was mentioned in his answers and what I deduced from the reactions of the Al-Ittihad fans, hoping that he will accept it with an open mind, a sportsmanlike spirit, and the awareness that serves his interest before the interest of the entity.

- You mentioned, O Abu Fares, that resignation is an escape from responsibility, and here I pose a legitimate question to you: Does staying in the absence of tools for success constitute bearing responsibility, or a continuation of a crisis that you and the Board members do not have the full ability to solve?

- You also mentioned that reforms have been achieved, and no one denies the existence of some positive steps, but the success of any administration is not measured by some decisions or procedures, but by the final outcome that the Al-Ittihad fans await, an outcome that, in the view of many, is still below the level of ambition.

- You also mentioned that the administrative vacuum is the main problem, and here - in my estimation - you put your finger on the essence of the crisis. This statement is an acknowledgment that the Board of Directors works under a clear deficiency in decision-making tools, which leads many of Al-Ittihad's fans to ask: If the owning entity is the one with the greater decision, is it logical for an administration that does not have full powers and tools to continue bearing the responsibility of such a sensitive stage?

- From another angle, the issue is not only about the administrative aspect, but extends to governance and regulatory responsibility. The Board of Directors, according to the principles commonly recognized in corporate and sports institution management, is not measured by what it wishes for or strives for, but by its ability to exercise its powers, bear its responsibilities, and achieve results. If the administration itself acknowledges the existence of an administrative vacuum or a deficiency in decision-making tools, then it is the right of the fans to ask: Does the administration still have the regulatory elements that enable it to fulfill the commitments it has undertaken? And if the answer is no, then reassessing the situation, including the option of resignation, becomes an action consistent with governance principles, not an admission of failure.

- And as you know, O Abu Fares, the masses do not judge intentions, but rather judge results. Your intention and the intentions of your colleagues on the Board may be sincere, and the effort you are exerting may be great, but if the circumstances no longer allow achieving what the administration promised, then apologizing for continuing, and leaving the field to those who possess the tools of the stage, may be a responsible position, not an escape from responsibility.

- In conclusion..

This article is not a response to the President of Al-Ittihad Club, Engineer Fahad Sindi, for he expressed his point of view and he has full respect and appreciation. Rather, it is an attempt to convey what I hear and read daily from the fans of Al-Ittihad, especially after the dialogue that took place between us. These fans have come to see that the problem is no longer related to individuals as much as it is related to the reality in which the administration operates, and the conditions that limit its ability to achieve what the lovers of this great entity expect.