A strange mystery surrounds Al-Ittihad Club, lingering since the end of last season. Amid growing anger among the club’s supporters over the football team’s poor results—which have extended to other sports—and fears for the football team’s future given the circumstances, the administration’s suspicious silence only adds to the concern.

In a previous article, I pointed to divisions and factions within Al-Ittihad Club based on information we have received from inside. We called for a unified voice to explain to the confused fans what is happening within the club. The fans can no longer tolerate another failure of the football team next season, especially since early indications are not reassuring.

We hear there are two administrations at Al-Ittihad: the official one led by Fahad Sindi, whose hands have been tied, as we have been told, and a second led by Abdullah Al-Husseini, a shadow administration reportedly preparing to take over by assignment from the owning entity until the ownership transfer procedures are completed. Unfortunately, both administrations are in a deep slumber. I wish at least one of them would come forward to tell the public what is happening regarding the incoming administration, the club’s ownership, the anticipated signings of local and foreign players, and to confirm the news about the coach’s appointment.

I appreciate the confidentiality exercised by both administrations, but it is illogical, given all these leaks, that at least the club’s official spokesperson does not occasionally address the public to reassure them. Al-Ittihad is fortunate to have the director of its media center, Riyadh Al-Muzher, who is a polished media figure capable of facing the public, even if it requires a press conference. He has the ability to confront and clarify facts without embarrassment. However, he seems constrained by the club’s policy of not speaking to any party. Clarity and transparency have become considered a breach of secrets and an overstep of confidentiality, while those close to the two administrations media-wise enjoy all kinds of alleged secrecy.

Since all this mystery stems from the ownership transfer, why not clarify the transfer procedures? Where have negotiations reached? Is it true that there is a large investment fund from a company to buy Al-Ittihad Club? Is it true that a coalition of prestigious Jeddah families is competing with the investment project to buy the club? This is undoubtedly the responsibility of the club’s owning entity.

The Al-Ittihad supporters are torn between the mystery and the widespread information on social media about a financial crisis that will affect the club’s next season, along with rumors of the training camp’s cancellation. There should have been an official statement from the club about this, even if the administration deemed it unworthy of a response. But the fans want to hear a single voice among them to put these disturbing rumors to rest.

Bottom line:

The problem is not Yasser Al-Mashal alone; the sports system needs restructuring and a comprehensive evaluation to restore the luster of Saudi football.