SAFF increases the MBS league clubs to 18 teams starting from 2023-2024

2022-04-14
23:29:41

SAFF increases the MBS league clubs to 18 teams starting from 2023-2024

The results of the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation:

- SAFF approved the establishment of branch offices in 4 regions as a "first phase" in: Mecca - Aseer - Al Qassim - Eastern Province.

- Approving the mechanism for participation in the AFC Champions League 2023-2024 in the new calendar and exceptionally for one season, because two local seasons will be played during one version of the AFC Champions League, if no other mechanism was issued by the AFC regarding participation in this version with its new system, taking into account the completion of the necessary licensing requirements for teams to participate in the tournament.

- Approving the increase of the number of clubs participating in the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Professional Cup 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 Yelo League for first division professional clubs, while 4 teams will be promoted to the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Professional Cup League, and this is exceptional for one season, provided that after this season 3 teams will be relegated and other 3 will be promoted.

- SAFF approved the number of non-Saudi players for the next sports season 2022-2023 as follows:
* Prince Mohammed bin Salman Professional Cup 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.

* Yelo League for first division professional clubs: 6 non-Saudi players, leaving the clubs free to identify one of them (non-Saudi or born).

* Second Division League: 4 non-Saudi players, leaving the clubs free to identify one of them (non-Saudi or born).

- Approving the dates for the start of football competitions for the 2022-2023 sports season (according to the attached table).

- Editing the number of relegated and promoted clubs at the end of the 2022-2023 season and approving it for the 2023-2024 season and beyond (according to the attached table).

- Cancellation the Away goals rule in the knockout matches of two matches, starting from the 2022-2023 sports season, and amending it in the competitions regulations.

- Reviewing the technical presentation for the implementation of the goal line project and the offside automatic technology, and approving the start of implementing infrastructure projects, provided that the start of the technology will be determined later.