Ex-Al Hilal Board Member Raises Concerns Over International Betting; Saudi Football Federation Cites Swiss “Sportradar” and FIFA Partnership to Safeguard Integrity

Former Al-Hilal Club board member Saud Al-Subaie sparked controversy yesterday with a claim on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that betting has infiltrated Saudi football competitions. The allegation, made in a post, comes despite stringent measures in the Kingdom to curb such activities.

Al-Subaie’s remarks referenced an agreement signed in 2021 between the Saudi Football Federation and Sportradar, a Switzerland-based firm specializing in sports integrity and a key partner of FIFA, to combat illicit practices in local sports.

Strict Prohibition on Gambling in Saudi Arabia

All forms of gambling, including sports betting, are unequivocally banned in Saudi Arabia. The prohibition extends to local and international sports matches, with online betting and intermediary participation also forbidden. Companies or platforms offering betting services face severe penalties, reflecting the Kingdom’s staunch stance against gambling.

Rising Profile of Saudi Football

Al-Subaie’s claims come as Saudi football garners global attention, buoyed by the arrival of international stars from prominent European leagues. The influx of talent has elevated the sport’s profile but also raised concerns about potential external influences.

Betting Practices and Global Risks

While football betting is prevalent in regions such as Europe, South America, Australia, and parts of Asia, it operates legally within licensed establishments. However, the practice’s darker side involves match-fixing and undue influence, which pose significant threats to the sport’s integrity.

To address these risks, the Saudi Football Federation and other global governing bodies have implemented rigorous safeguards. Partnering with entities like Sportradar, the federation employs advanced monitoring systems to detect and deter suspicious activities. Sportradar, a FIFA and Asian Football Confederation partner, provides critical oversight for international tournaments, including the World Cup.

This foundational partnership underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to safeguarding football from integrity threats while aligning with global standards in sports governance.

Al-Subaie Allegations Spark Debate Over Betting in Saudi Football

In his post, Saud Al-Subaie referenced a substantial sum of money he claimed was linked to betting on a Saudi football match. Highlighting the quarter-final clash between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, he stated, “Betting on Saudi competitions began at the start of 2025 with very high amounts, requiring more [professional] reserves that we trust Saudi sports managers will address.”

Elaborating further, Al-Subaie alleged, “The beginning was with the Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad match in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup, and the bets exceeded 80 million riyals.”

Saudi Football Federation Responds

The claims prompted a swift response from Sultan Al Mohawes, spokesperson for the Saudi Football Federation (SAFF), who sought to reassure the public about the integrity of Saudi football. Al Mohawes emphasized the robust measures in place to prevent any breaches, stating, “All football federation systems globally implement stringent measures against anything that undermines the integrity of football competitions.”

He added, “Thank God, and with the support of officials, football competitions in Saudi Arabia enjoy strong protection and integrity measures. Since 2021, the Saudi Football Federation has partnered with Sportradar, a major FIFA partner, to safeguard our competitions. Additionally, there is an electronic application to report any suspected cases of this nature.”

To substantiate his point, Al-Mahous shared a link detailing the SAFF’s agreement with Sportradar, a Swiss-based company renowned for its expertise in monitoring sports integrity.

Al-Subaie Proposes Alternative Oversight

In a follow-up post, Al-Subaie suggested that oversight responsibilities be transferred to domestic entities, such as the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), rather than relying on Sportradar.

This exchange has brought renewed attention to the measures safeguarding the integrity of Saudi football, underscoring the need for vigilance as the sport continues to attract global talent and investment.

SAFF and Sportradar Partnership Reinforces Integrity Measures in Saudi Football

The Saudi Football Federation (SAFF) recently renewed its partnership with Swiss-based Sportradar, a global leader in sports integrity solutions and data analytics. The agreement, highlighted in a link shared by Saud Al-Subaie on the X platform, underscores SAFF’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of football competitions in Saudi Arabia.

Sportradar, FIFA’s main partner for monitoring World Cup tournaments and a trusted ally of the Asian Football Confederation, will continue its collaboration with SAFF for the next three years. Headquartered in Switzerland with branch offices worldwide, the company specializes in using advanced systems to monitor, analyze, and verify sports data to detect suspicious activities.

Advanced Monitoring Systems and Education Initiatives

According to the news link shared on SAFF’s official website, the renewed partnership seeks to bolster the Federation’s efforts to combat integrity challenges. The deal includes providing SAFF’s Integrity Unit with comprehensive risk assessments, leveraging Sportradar’s state-of-the-art systems to monitor and verify matches securely.

The collaboration also incorporates an educational component, emphasizing the importance of integrity in sports. As part of the agreement, a series of bilingual webinars—delivered in English and Arabic—will educate players, match officials, and other stakeholders about integrity best practices. This initiative aims to raise awareness and equip participants with tools to identify and report suspicious activities.

Sportradar is one of the world’s leading companies collaborating with international leagues and the International and Asian Football Federations. The company strengthens the protection and integrity of Saudi football competitions through an advanced electronic system. This system facilitates the safe reporting of any concerns regarding match integrity, utilizing digital data monitored by the platform. Reports are addressed by the integrity unit of the Saudi Football Federation, in collaboration with Sportradar’s experts.

According to information available to Maaal newspaper, the Swiss-based company proactively monitors activities independently, without waiting for external reports, while ensuring reports remain accessible in all cases. This approach aims to protect the integrity of football competitions in the Kingdom and prevent any involvement in suspicious betting activities. Additionally, a news link referenced in a post on the X platform, accessible via the Saudi Football Federation website, highlights Sportradar’s integral role in safeguarding the fairness of the sport.