Report ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr Faces Legal Battle Over Ownership Rule Breach’ Cristiano Ronaldo’s team, Al-Nassr, may face expulsion from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League due to allegations of violating ownership regulations of the competition.
The AFC Champions League rules prohibit teams with the same owner from participating to maintain the competition’s integrity. Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ittihad, all owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), have qualified for the tournament, raising legal concerns for disregarding the AFC’s rules on multi-club ownership.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr Faces Legal Battle Over Ownership Rule Breach- Reports
Similar to UEFA, AFC implements strict regulations to prevent clubs owned by the same entity from entering its Champions League, aiming to safeguard the competition’s fairness. Clubs from other Asian countries are preparing legal action against the AFC and its chairman, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, concerning this matter.
Presently, the AFC Champions League only prohibits multi-club ownerships if there’s a “material risk” of compromising the competition’s integrity or any match. Participating clubs must demonstrate why they pose no such risk.
For example, Mumbai City and Melbourne City, both owned by Manchester City’s parent company, the City Football Group (CFG), can participate simultaneously in the competition because the chances of them encountering each other are minimal. This is especially true as the competition is initially divided into two regional zones.
However, all three PIF-owned clubs are placed in the same zone, increasing the possibility of facing each other in the early stages of the competition. Consequently, there are calls for the AFC to clarify why they have overlooked their own regulations.
The Guardian reports that the AFC seems to be making exceptions to accommodate the Saudi clubs, possibly due to the financial support pledged by them in exchange for hosting the Asian Cup (similar to Europe’s Euros) in 2027.
In the past year, the AFC altered rules regarding the quota of overseas players allowed in the AFC Champions League from three to five. Some AFC members believe this leniency regarding multi-club ownership regulations showcases the AFC’s inclination to please Saudi Arabia.
Interesting Facts To Know About Al-Nassr Football Club
- Al-Nassr is one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia, with 28 official trophies. They have won nine Professional League titles, six King’s Cups, three Crown Prince’s Cups, three Federation Cups, and two Saudi Super Cups.
- Al-Nassr is also one of the most successful clubs in Asia, having won two continental titles: the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup in 1998 and the Asian Super Cup in the same year.
- Al-Nassr is one of the richest clubs in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. In 2023, they signed Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most famous and successful footballers in history.
- Al-Nassr has a large and passionate fan base. They are known as the “Green Giants” and are one of the most popular teams in Saudi Arabia.
- Al-Nassr’s home stadium, the King Fahd International Stadium, is one of the largest and most modern stadiums in the Middle East. It has a capacity of over 68,000 spectators.
- Al-Nassr has a number of famous former players, including Majed Abdullah, Fahad Al-Herafy, and Mohaisn Al-Jam’aan. Abdullah is considered to be one of the greatest Saudi footballers of all time.
- Al-Nassr has a strong rivalry with Al-Hilal, another major club in Saudi Arabia. Their matches are known as the “Saudi Derby” and are some of the most exciting and passionate matches in the country.
Here are some additional interesting facts:
- Al-Nassr’s fans are known for their loyalty and passion. They are often called the “Green Wall” because of their distinctive green scarves and flags.
- Al-Nassr has a number of sponsors, including Saudi Telecom Company, Pepsi, and Nike.
- Al-Nassr has a strong social media presence. They have over 10 million followers on Twitter and Instagram.
- Al-Nassr is committed to developing young talent. They have a number of youth academies and programs that help to identify and develop the next generation of Saudi footballers.
Al-Nassr is a major force in Saudi Arabian and Asian football. They have a rich history, a large and passionate fan base, and a bright future.
