The Saudi Pro League has suffered a new embarrassment after just 405 people showed up to watch a game.
The division has attempted to shake-up football’s order over the last couple of years, recruiting superstar names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante. While thousands turn up to watch Al-Nassr and other big-name teams, some of the small outfits cannot count on such fervent support.
That much was evident during Al-Wehda’s 3-2 home defeat to Al-Okhdood on Friday night. Al-Wehda boast the likes of ex-Manchester United and Watford forward Odion Ighalo and Australia international Craig Goodwin.
But they were powerless to prevent a narrow home defeat against Al-Okhdood, who had Christian Bassogog, Ibrahim Kone and an own goal from Jawad El Yamiq to thank for their three points. Given the scoreline involved, the match was undoubted an exciting spectacle for those who in attendance.
However, only 405 people were recorded as attending the match. That is less than half of the average attendance of National League side Braintree Town, who play in England’s fifth-tier.
It’s also less than Al-Wehda’s average attendance of 656, which they recorded last year. The highest average attendance of any Saudi side last year was commanded by Al-Ittihad, who averaged 34,366 people last season.
Even then, these figures are not particularly great, as their King Abdullah Sports City home ground has a capacity of 62,345 people, larger than all Premier League clubs except from Manchester United’s Old Trafford, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and West Ham United’s London Stadium.
(Image: Getty Images)
Saudi will be hoping their attendances improve ahead the 2034 World Cup, which looks set to be awarded to them. As it stands, they are the only bidders for the tournament, which could once again be held in winter, like Qatar two years ago.