Topics: Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema
Clubs in Saudi Arabia have been found guilty of not paying their players properly, a damning report has detailed.
The Saudi Pro League have hit headlines for making huge statement signings, the latest of which saw Karim Benzema sign for champions Al Ittihad in a £172-million-a-year switch.
The Ballon d'Or winner has joined former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who signed for Al Nassr and put football in Saudi on the map in December.
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Huge names like Kalidou Koulibaly, N'Golo Kante, Ruben Neves, Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson and Riyad Mahrez have all joined.
However, FIFPRO, the international union which looks after 65,000 players across the globe, warned players against signing for teams in Saudi.
They said that “non-payment of salaries” have become “a recurring problem” in Saudi and The Athletic have provided details on the worrying predicament.
There have been over 50 labour disputes involving clubs from Saudi and a recent case involved Lewis Grabban, formerly of Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.
He had a very brief spell with Al Ahli, with his contract ripped up after just three months. Feeling as though he did not receive a signing on fee or two months worth of wages he was owed, Grabban was demanding £2.2 million in compensation following his release.
In the end a tribunal, the fourth involving Al Ahli in 18 months, ruled that must pay $500,000 in wages as well as a further $700,000 for breach of contract.
In addition, the club were banned from registrering new players for "two entire and consecutive registration periods".
But this isn't an isolated incident. Al Nassr, who Ronaldo pays for, ended up paying Brazilian midfielder Petros $2.5 million back in November.
His deal was terminated but the two parties could not come to an agreement on terms previously negotiated.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, who have an 80 per cent stake in Newcastle, are now in complete control of the league's four biggest clubs - Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, Al Nassr and Al Hilal - in a bid to continue to attract big names.
The league restarts again this weekend but according to journalist Tariq Panja, one of the big spenders are still yet to receive international clearance for their huge new signings due to repeated breaches of FIFA rules.
The breaches relate to unpaid salaries on former players and agreements to not repeat their mistakes not being met,
They are currently appealing a two-window transfer ban and uncertainty looms.
