Saudi Pro League Signals Plans to Seek Wild Card Entry into the Champions League
Saudi Arabia’s Pro League representatives want its clubs to compete in the UEFA Champions League. According to Corriere dello Sport, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation in Riyadh and executives of the four major Public Investment Fund-owned Saudi clubs are preparing a proposal to present to UEFA that would allow the Saudi Pro League’s winning team to gain “wild card” entry to the Champions League.
The Champions League is currently only open to clubs from Europe and those from Turkey and Israel.
However, given the increase in Champions League spots under the new format, Saudi Arabia believes they can convince UEFA to let them participate as non-European wild cards with their new star-studded league.
Saudi teams have recently spent about $650 million recruiting players, including Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United, Karim Benzema from Real Madrid, Brazil’s Neymar, and Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson. The SPL also tried to bring in Argentina’s Lionel Messi with a massive pay package, but he chose to join Inter Miami in the US instead.
Recent reports have said Saudi club Al-Ittihad wants to buy Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah.
