JEDDAH, 9 March - The humiliating 10-3 defeat suffered by Al-Riyadh at the hands of Al-Ittihad in the King Fahd Cup match last Wednesday could trigger some repercussions. The present management of the club, chaired by Prince Bandar ibn Abdul Majeed, may quit before their term ends and in all likelihood not contest for a second term.
Al-Riyadh club has already invited nominations to set up a new management. Applications will be received from today. It also appears that many honorary members of the club may hesitate to join the management in the wake of the club’s present crisis. Last year the club was left without a president after the resignation of Abdul Rahman Al-Mufaireej for a long time, till Prince Bandar came forward to rescue the organization.
In its match with Al-Ittihad, Al-Riyadh collapsed after the two teams were on level terms midway through the first half. Then followed the avalanche of goals by Ittihad players — Hamza Idris scored four goals, Sergio two, and one each by Louis, Landorama, Shas and Muwalled. The victory also propelled Ittihad to the top of the league with 42 points.
Al-Riyadh officials have attributed the club’s poor show in the match to its financial crisis, which prompted many of its top Saudi players like Ahmad Al-Suhbi, Ibrahim Al-Mufrej and Adil Bakheet to leave the team. Three Senegalese players — Dayin Fayeh, Maamoun Dayoob and Omar Taraurey — have also refused to take part in the matches following non-payment of their dues by the club.
Al-Riyadh, one of the oldest teams in the capital, was expected to reach the finals of the King’s Cup because of the presence of many excellent players like Fayeh, who is still the top scorer of the tournament with 13 goals.
Brazilian coach Rolando too has threatened to resign if the management did not take quick action to overcome the current crisis.
