Al-Hilal say first team will not play in Hong Kong’s Saudi Super Cup because of fatigue
Five-time winners say competing would violate player contracts, plus some of their players had been without a break for more than a year
Al-Hilal have confirmed their “first football team” would not play in next month’s Saudi Super Cup, saying they were told only a month ago, when they were already in the US competing in the Club World Cup, that the event would be in Hong Kong.
In a statement posted on the club’s website on Monday, Al-Hilal said they had written to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to explain their decision, and emphasised the “exceptional circumstances” behind the move.
The Riyadh-based club, who have won the competition five times, said competing at Hong Kong Stadium in August would violate player contracts, as it would mean they would not get the minimum 28 days of annual leave.
Al-Hilal also pointed to the fact that some of their players had been without a break for more than a year, with domestic and international commitments ending only after they lost to Fluminense in the Club World Cup quarter-finals on July 5.
Officials said the club had “reiterated its pride in participating in the Saudi Super Cup, a tournament the club has won multiple times”.
But they added: “However, the decision came after a review of the physical and muscular condition of several players, which showed signs of extreme fatigue after a demanding season that lasted a full year and one week.”