Since Saudi Arabia launched an offensive in 2023 around its domestic football league, with huge sums attracting stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, there has been speculation about what will happen next.
One of these speculations is whether they could become part of Europe’s Champions League.
In August, for example, wrote the Italian Corriere dello Sport that there was a concrete plan to apply for a wild card to the Champions League already next season.
But according to Carlos Nohra, chief operating officer of the Saudi league, there are no such plans.
– That was never really the idea. We are an Asian country playing in the Champions League here. We realize our position and we are not from a European country, he says.
Uefa: “Excluded”
Karl-Erik Nilsson, first vice-chairman of the European football association Uefa, also does not see that a Saudi entry into European football would be relevant.
– No, I see that as completely out of the question, he says to SVT Sport.
There has been some information spread that Saudi Arabia wants to enter the Champions League, but do you see that as completely out of the question?
– Their way into the Champions League is to do as they have done with Newcastle, to invest in European clubs. But for Saudi clubs to play in European competitions outside their confederation, I see that as completely hopeless.
Watch the documentary “Saudi Arabia – the new Mecca of football” on SVT Play.