The Saudi Federation decides to increase the professional league clubs to 18 teams
The Saudi Football Association, in the meeting of the Board of Directors held last Thursday, directed several decisions, the most important of which is the establishment of branch offices of the Saudi Federation in 4 regions as a “first phase” in: Makkah Al-Mukarramah – Asir – Al-Qassim – Eastern Province.
It also decided to adopt the mechanism of participation in the AFC Champions League 2023-2024 in the new calendar and exceptionally for one season, to coincide with two local seasons with one version of the AFC Champions League, in the event that no other mechanism was issued by the Asian Football Confederation regarding participation in this version with its new system, with taking into account the completion of the licensing requirements necessary for teams to participate in the tournament.
Among the most prominent decisions taken by the Council was also the approval of increasing the number of clubs participating in the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Professional League to (18) teams, starting from the 2023-2024 sports season, according to the following mechanism:
In the 2022-2023 season, two teams will be relegated to the Yellow League for first-class professional clubs, in return for the promotion of 4 teams to the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Professional League, and this is exceptional for one season, provided that after this season 3 teams will go down and rise likewise.
The council also approved the number of non-Saudi players for the next sports season 2022-2023 as follows:
* Prince Mohammed bin Salman Professional League Clubs: 8 non-Saudi players, with a maximum of 7 on the match list, while clubs are allowed, starting from the 2023-2024 season, to include the full number of non-Saudi players in the match.
* Yellow League for first-class professional clubs: 6 non-Saudi players, leaving the clubs free to identify one of them (non-Saudi or born).
* Second Division: 4 non-Saudi players, leaving the clubs free to identify one of them (non-Saudi or born).
The Council also decided to amend the number of ups and downs at the end of the 2022-2023 season and approve it for the 2023-2024 season and beyond (according to the attached table).
As well as canceling the preference for outside registration in the knockout matches of two matches, starting from the 2022-2023 sports season, and amending it in the list of competitions.
Source: Saudi Football Association