Saudi league postpones three matches after Houthi attacks

Saudi Arabia's football league (SPL) has pushed back three matchweek nine fixtures, including one featuring Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo, due to escalating tensions with Houthi rebels. The SPL cited logistical considerations and the need for a minimum rest period between games in a statement published on Tuesday. The matches between Al Hilal and Al Riyadh, as well as Al Ittihad and Al Shabab, have been rescheduled for December 19, 2026.

Additionally, the match between Al Ahli and Al Nassr, originally set for March 6, 2027, has been moved to the aforementioned date. However, the SPL clarified that the remaining fixtures in matchweek nine will proceed as scheduled, with no alterations. On Monday, Al Nassr's AFC Champions League game against Uzbek side Neftchi Fergana in Riyadh was delayed by an hour following reports that the Houthi coalition had intercepted a missile fired at the Saudi capital.

Recent days have witnessed a violent confrontation between a Saudi-led coalition and Houthi forces in Yemen, with missile strikes targeting airports and energy facilities across the country. The latest escalation began with Houthi attacks on Riyadh's international airport last weekend, resulting in 13 deaths and forcing the suspension of operations at the most severe incident since 2015.