The Saudi Premier League competition will start in September (Ramadan) this year, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation decided at a meeting of its board in Riyadh, Tuesday. The board meeting, chaired by Prince Sultan Bin Fahd, Chairman of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW) and the SAFF, also reviewed different teams' performances and approved a few new regulations. The Saudi Premier League competition will start on Sept. 8 in case the Saudi national team secures second spot in its group of the World Cup qualifiers. The start of the tournament will, however, be delayed by four days if the team finishes third. The competition for Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Cup will start on Jan. 2, 2009. Teams taking part in the tournament will be divided into three open-age groups. Competition in the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd first and second division tournaments will start on Aug. 20 this year. Teams in this competition will be divided into eight open-age groups. The competition for the First and Second Division teams will kick off on Oct. 17. The meeting approved a suggestion by the technical committee to decrease the number of players listed with the clubs for the next two seasons and initiating tournaments for under-14 players, besides starting indoor and beach football. A new competition for juniors and under-21 players was also approved. The meeting decided that in away matches one goal will be considered as two. It also increased the number of Second Division teams from 12 to 14, besides deciding to review the fees paid out to foreign referees. The council also approved the participation of teams in Asian, Arab and Gulf competitions: Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, Al-Shabab and Al-Ittifaq will represent the Kingdom in Asian tournaments. Al-Hazm and Al-Wehdah will take part in the Arab competitions. Al-Nasr And Al-Ahli will participate in the Gulf competitions. The meeting decided to form a committee to look into the recommendations made by the committee of referees. The meeting took a number of steps keeping in mind FIFA rules. As of this year the clubs will issue medical cover to its players. The clubs have also been asked to confirm the ages of its players, make detailed contracts with its players, have certified agents for their players, ensure an end to violations in negotiations with professional players and chalking out clear guidelines for their presidents. The GPYW, meanwhile, has decided to issue ID cards to professional players. __
