Exclusive | Hong Kong event part of Saudi football’s push to rank among world’s best: CEO

The CEO of the Saudi Pro League has played down any suggestion of his competition following in the footsteps of Spain’s La Liga by taking a regular-season match overseas.

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Omar Mugharbel said this week’s Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong was his country’s means of exposing its Pro League (SPL) to global audiences, along with a long list of broadcast partnerships.

La Liga chiefs are planning for Villarreal to play their home match against Barcelona in Miami in December. The idea has been met with fierce opposition from some clubs and the country’s players association. Mugharbel said that for Saudi football bosses, “our first duty is to our home fans and the integrity of the domestic competition”.

“We’ll always evaluate ideas carefully, but the priority remains strengthening the product in Saudi Arabia and making it effortlessly accessible worldwide,” Mugharbel, speaking exclusively to the Post, said.

Michel, the Al-Qadsiah head coach and former Spain and Real Madrid midfielder, earlier this week branded ignorant those people who consider Saudi football only in the context of its financial might.

Ronaldo applauds supporters as he is substituted in Al-Nassr’s victory over Al-Ittihad. Photo: Elson Li

Mugharbel said the aim was for the country’s league to “stand alongside” the world’s best equivalents “by delivering competitive football, world-class fan experiences, strong governance and a sustainable commercial product”.

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