Portuguese Sergio Conceição, coach of the Union team, ignored attending press conferences before his team's recent matches, starting from the eleventh round against Al-Shabab in the Saudi Roshn League, which sparked widespread controversy.

Conceição continues to be absent from media appearances before matches, starting from confrontations with Al-Taawoun and Al-Ettifaq, leading up to the upcoming match against Al-Okhdood, prompting some followers to question the reasons behind this absence.

According to the explanation of the newspaper 'Asharq Al-Awsat', pre-match press conferences are mandatory, but the regulations allow for exceptions in cases of match pressure or a crowded schedule, especially when the team plays a match every 3 or 4 days.

The regulations also clarify the possibility for clubs to inform the league association of not holding the pre-match press conference and suffice with the mandatory conferences held after the matches to reduce pressure on the technical staff and players.

The Union is preparing to face Al-Okhdood in the eighteenth round of the Roshn Professional League at the 'Al-Inma' Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, next Monday, amid significant fan follow-up.

The Union team occupies the seventh place in the Saudi Professional League standings with 27 points, after achieving 8 victories and 3 draws, against 5 losses, and hopes to regain victories to strengthen its position in the team rankings.