The 2019–20 Saudi Professional League was the 44th edition of the Saudi Pro League, the top Saudi professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1976. The season started on 22 August 2019 and concluded on 9 September 2020.[3]
On 7 March 2020, the Ministry of Sports announced that all matches would be played behind closed doors until further notice.[2] On 14 March 2020, the Ministry suspended all sports competitions indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia.[5] On 11 June 2020, the Ministry of Sports announced the resumption of sports activities with training starting on 21 June and games starting after 4 August 2020 and played behind closed doors.[6] On 1 July 2020, the schedule for the remaining matches was released. It was announced that the league would resume on 4 August 2020 and end on 9 September 2020.[7]
On 29 August 2020, Al-Hilal won the league for a record 16th time with two matches remaining, after defeating Al-Hazem 4–1.[8]Al-Adalah were the first team to be relegated following a 1–1 home draw with Al-Raed on 29 August 2020.[9] On 4 September 2020, Al-Hazem were relegated following a 1–0 defeat away to Al-Shabab.[10]Al-Fayha were the third and final team to be relegated following a 1–0 defeat away to Al-Taawoun in the final matchday.[11]
Changes
On June 9, 2019, the Saudi FF announced that the number of foreign players was reduced from 8 players to 7 players.[12] In addition, they announced that clubs could no longer sign players on amateurs contracts and that the squad size will be increased to 30 players.[13] On 20 August 2019, the Saudi FF announced that relegation play-off between the 13th placed team of the Pro League and the 4th placed team of the MS League was cancelled.[14]
Locations of teams in the 2019–20 Saudi Professional League
Sixteen teams will compete in the league – the top twelve teams from the previous season, the play-off winner and the three teams promoted from the MS League.
Teams who were promoted to the Pro League
The first team to be promoted was Abha, following their 2–2 draw away to Al-Nojoom on 30 April 2019. Abha will play in the top flight of Saudi football after a ten-year absence.[15] Despite losing to Al-Qaisumah, they were crowned champions on 11 May 2019 due to Damac's 1–1 draw with Al-Ain.[16]
The second team to be promoted was Damac, in spite of their 1–0 defeat away to Al-Tai, on 5 May 2019.[17] Damac will play in the top flight of Saudi football for the first time since 1982 when both the Pro League and First Division were merged into one league.[18]
The third and final team to be promoted was Al-Adalah, who were promoted on the final matchday following their 2–0 win at home against Damac on 15 May 2019.[19] Al-Adalah will play in the top flight of Saudi football for the first time in history.
Teams who were relegated to the MS League
The first team to be relegated was Ohod, ending a 2-year stay in the Pro League following a 3–1 home defeat to Al-Fayha on 12 April 2019.[20]
The second team to be relegated was Al-Batin, ending a 3-year stay in the Pro League following a 1–0 home defeat to an already relegated Ohod side on 11 May 2019.[21]
The third and final team to be relegated was Al-Qadsiah, who were relegated on the final matchday following a 2–2 home draw with Al-Hazem. Al-Qadsiah were relegated after 4 consecutive seasons in the Pro League.[22]
1: ^ Al-Faisaly play their home games in Al Majma'ah.
2: ^ Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab also use Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium (22,500 seats) as a home stadium.
3: ^ Damac play their home games in Abha.
Updated to match(es) played on 9 September 2020. Source: spl.com Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total goals scored; 6) Fair-play points (Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).[69] (C) Champions; (R) Relegated Notes:
The following table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order to preserve the chronological evolution, any postponed matches are not included to the round at which they were originally scheduled but added to the full round they were played immediately afterward. If a club from the Saudi Professional League wins the King Cup, they will qualify for the AFC Champions League, unless they have already qualified for it through their league position. In this case, an additional AFC Champions League group stage berth will be given to the 3rd placed team, and the AFC Champions League play-off round spot will be given to 4th.