Saudi Pro League crowd embarrassment as beneath 800 present up for six-goal thriller

On Mar 1, 2024

A six-goal thriller within the Saudi Pro League was witnessed by a crowd which might have embarrassed a National League aspect.

The state-backed league has been intent on disrupting Europe’s dominance of membership soccer by luring among the largest names within the recreation to the Middle East. After Cristiano Ronaldo set the ball rolling by becoming a member of Al-Nassr, a bunch of former Premier League and La Liga icons are actually boosting their financial institution balances with Saudi money.

However, massive names like Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane – and with Mo Salah probably on the way in which this summer time – have finished little to swell crowds at most matches, with many not even breaking into four-figures.

This article comprises affiliate hyperlinks, we are going to obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it.
Learn extra

DAZN Sign Up

Watch the Jake Paul vs Ryan Bourland struggle

Born and raised in Cleveland, turned the Problem Child beneath the intense lights of Los Angeles and eventually discovered his paradise in Puerto Rico.

Jake “El Gallo de Dorado” Paul is again this Saturday – combating in Puerto Rico for the primary time.

Get your first month of DAZN from simply £0.01 while you purchase a Pay Per View occasion along with your month-to-month plan.

£9.99 monthly or first month free along with your pay-per-view buy

DA-ZN

One got here on Thursday evening as Al Wehda and Al Taawon performed out an exhilarating 3-3 draw, with former Man United and Watford striker Odion Ighalo scoring twice for Al Wehda. The match was performed in entrance of a paltry crowd of simply 782.

But it was removed from the league lowest attendance this season, and even in current days. Last Friday, February 23, Al-Riyadh, drew 1-1 with Al-Raed in entrance of simply 282 folks. Things improved barely on Saturday when Al-Hazem and Al-Khaleej additionally performed out a 1-1 attract entrance of 695.

What do you consider Saudi Pro League attendances? Tell us within the feedback part beneath

Al Wehda celebrate a goal during their 3-3 draw with Al Taawon in front of swathes of empty seats — Al Wehda rejoice a objective throughout their 3-3 draw with Al Taawon in entrance of swathes of empty seats
(Image: @SPL_EN)

Sadio Mane blasts home a penalty for Al-Nassr against Al-Hazm in front of a crowd of just under 20,000 — Sadio Mane blasts house a penalty for Al-Nassr in opposition to Al-Hazm in entrance of a crowd of just below 20,000
(Image: Getty)

On Sunday, Al-Feiha’s 3-1 victory over Abha was watched by 840. To put that into context, 15 golf equipment in National League North – the sixth tier of English soccer – common greater than 800 followers per recreation.

However, one other thrilling recreation on Thursday evening did draw a powerful crowd – and predictably it concerned Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, though the Manchester United and Real Madrid icon was enjoying. He was serving a one-match ban for making a lewd gesture on the finish of his aspect’s 3-2 win in opposition to Al Shabab on Sunday.

Talisca hit a hat-trick for Al-Nassr whereas Mane blasted house a penalty to make it 4-3 in added time, just for opponents Al-Hazm to nick some extent by way of Paulo Ricardo within the 99th minute in entrance of a crowd of 19,323, just under their season common.