Unpacking the Saudi Pro League

Over the last few transfer windows, we have seen many players make the switch from European soccer to the Saudi Pro League (SPL). Superstar forwards Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mane are just a few examples of players who have done so. SPL has made significant investments in order to make such transfers possible, spending well over $1 billion in both transfer fees and players’ wages to convince them to join. This is all an effort to “sportswash” the world and its players, distracting them from other, more serious issues in Saudi Arabia. However, in the last couple of weeks, several players have reportedly wanted to leave the league and return to European soccer. Why is this the case?

One major problem the SPL is facing is extremely low attendance rates. Though the average attendance of the SPL is around 8,000, this figure varies depending on the team. For instance, a matchup between Al-Riyadh and Al-Ettifaq recorded an attendance of just 696 people. In contrast, the English Premier League averages around 40,000 people per match. This extremely low figure makes it impossible to create a suitable environment for a competitive game of soccer, as soccer is a game where players thrive on the energy of supporters. 

Another concern is the motivation of the players in the league, especially the ones signed on huge contracts. In order to attract big names, the SPL gave out large contracts to players, especially those in the twilight of their careers: Ronaldo, Benzema, Neymar, and Mane are all well past their prime and have already won countless major honors in European soccer.

Interestingly, players openly admit to playing for the money: “I’ve played for passion all my life. Now it’s for money. I’m not one of those players who come and say: ‘I play for passion.’ Brother, it’s money. At the end of the day, it’s money,” former Manchester United and now Al-Wehda striker Odion Ighalo said. This has contributed to the environment of the league, and it is one of the driving factors behind the lack of competitiveness.

Another reason several players are seeking to leave the league is surprisingly not a sporting one. Concerns over human rights and the treatment of the LGBTQ+ community in Saudi Arabia have put off many players. For instance, same-sex intercourse and marriage is outlawed in Saudi Arabia.

These issues were especially prevalent for former Al-Ettifaq and current Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson, who has come under heavy criticism over his switch to the SPL last summer, especially from the LGBTQ+ community. Henderson has voiced his support for the LGBTQ+ community several times in his career and has consistently worn the pride captain’s armband for both England and Liverpool. His move to Saudi Arabia deeply offended much of this group, so much so that he came out and apologized. “If any people from [the LGBTQ+] community feel let down or hurt, I apologize. I did that six months ago, I’ll do it again,” Henderson said. Saudi Arabia’s differing social beliefs compared to Western society is another hindrance to its ability to compete with the top leagues in the world.

All these reasons are contributing to the apparent downfall of the SPL. Will these factors prove to be unsolvable issues that stop the SPL from becoming a prominent soccer league, or will they prove to just be a minor blip in the road? As of now, the only obvious reason a star soccer player would switch from European soccer to the SPL is the huge salary. The circumstances don’t make the league an attractive place to play, and neither do the stadium environments and competitiveness. These issues will eventually catch up to the SPL, and the first signs are already beginning to show. Expect more players to depart in the near future, just like Henderson.