Media reports have revealed that Saudi Al-Hilal is threatened with strict penalties following its official decision to withdraw from the local Super Cup, which was scheduled to take place during this period.

Al-Hilal was preparing to face Al-Qadisiyah in the semi-finals of the tournament, but it submitted an official apology for not participating in the match, prompting the Saudi Football Federation to study the implications of the withdrawal.

The federation intends to review the extent of the losses resulting from Al-Hilal's withdrawal, in preparation for applying the penalties outlined in the tournament regulations, which include a financial fine of up to half a million riyals and exclusion from the next edition.

The club justified its decision by citing the delay in resting its players after their participation in the Club World Cup, with the coaching staff wanting to provide them with physical recovery before the start of the training camp for the new season.

Sports critic Mohammed Al-Sheikh commented on the decision, affirming that the apology was not arbitrary but came after a thorough analysis of the technical and administrative circumstances, considering that the decision could ultimately benefit the team in the long term.

Al-Sheikh pointed out that the team is suffering from continuous fatigue after a long and arduous season, both at the club level and with the national teams, while no other Saudi club has faced the same physical pressure.

He also noted that the upcoming season will be filled with local and continental tournaments, in addition to the players' international commitments, making it essential to obtain a rest period to avoid physical collapse.

He continued that holding Super Cup matches during the preparation period disrupts the training program, especially since Al-Hilal has not yet started its camp, while its opponents have made significant progress in their preparations.

Al-Sheikh also warned of the possibility of players sustaining injuries due to the high effort required in such matches, which could deprive the team of important players in the early stages of the season.

He clarified that the technical management has carefully prioritized, considering that focusing on the main tournaments is more beneficial than participating in the Super Cup, especially given the accumulated physical pressures.

The decision has sparked widespread controversy among fans, while the Saudi sports community awaits the outcome of the federation's meeting regarding potential penalties for the team.