RIYADH: Holder Al Hilal will be banned from the Saudi Super Cup 2026-27 if it qualifies, after withdrawing from this season's four-team competition, the Saudi Arabia Football Federation's (SAFF) Disciplinary and Ethics Committee said on Tuesday.
The decision came after Al Hilal pulled out of the Super Cup, scheduled to be played from August 19-23 in Hong Kong, citing player fatigue following its Club World Cup campaign. It lost 2-1 to Fluminense in the quarterfinals on July 4.
"Al Hilal refused to participate in the Saudi Super Cup for the 2025-2026 season after the official schedule for the competition was issued," the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee said in a statement.
"As a result, the committee ruled that Al Hilal had violated Article (59-3) of the Disciplinary and Ethics Regulations and fined the club 500,000 Saudi Riyals ($133,000) to be paid to the SAFF," the statement added. Agencies