Saudi FA presidency race set for fresh dispute after Al-Ruzaiza list approved

The contest to lead the Saudi Arabian Football Federation has entered a more tense phase after Badr Al-Ruzaiza’s list became the only slate approved for the 2026-2030 election, with excluded candidates considering an appeal against the decision.

Sources told Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah that the list headed by Khalid Al-Ghamdi and another rejected slate are studying whether to challenge the approval of Al-Ruzaiza’s list. Other excluded candidates are also expected to join the move.

The potential appeals would be based on what the candidates believe was unequal treatment during the assessment process. According to the sources, they consider that they “were not treated according to the same standards applied to the approved list”.

The Saudi Football Federation’s election committee announced on Saturday that the other five lists had been rejected after reviewing the candidates’ submissions for the 2026-2030 term.

The excluded lists were those led by Khalid Al-Ghamdi, Fahad Al-Ghufaili, Hatem Khaimi, Ahmed Al-Wadaei and Shaker Al-Osaimi. The committee cited issues relating to sporting experience, eligibility requirements and the conditions governing representation of the general assembly.

Fahad Al-Ghufaili is not planning to appeal, according to the same source. His experience of about five years with one of the clubs in the Roshn Saudi League was not counted because it had not been officially documented with the relevant authorities.

Al-Ghufaili is understood to have accepted the committee’s decision and confirmed his respect for the process.

The nomination period ran from 22 July until 1 August. Seven lists were submitted during that period, although Turki Al-Dhabaan subsequently withdrew from the race.

The election committee then reviewed the candidate files between 2 and 7 August, applying the regulations governing the election. That review resulted in one approved list and five rejected lists, leaving Al-Ruzaiza as the sole remaining candidate in the contest unless any appeal changes the outcome.

The latest development has therefore shifted the election from a multi-candidate contest to a dispute over the committee’s assessment of the nominations. The possible challenges by Khalid Al-Ghamdi’s list and another excluded group could now determine whether the process remains unchanged or whether further lists are reconsidered.

No details were provided about the timetable or procedure for any appeals. The current position, as announced by the committee, is that Badr Al-Ruzaiza’s list is the only one eligible to proceed in the election for the next four-year term.