The First Division League (FDL;[1] Arabic: دوري الدرجة الأولى), known as Yelo league for sponsorship reasons,[2] is the second tier of professional football in Saudi Arabia. The First Division League is ranked below the Saudi Professional League and above the Saudi Second Division in the Saudi Arabian football league system.
 | |
| Organising body | Saudi Arabia Football Federation (SAFF) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1976 |
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of teams | 18 (since 2022–23) |
| Level on pyramid | 2 |
| Promotion to | Saudi Pro League |
| Relegation to | Saudi Second Division League |
| Domestic cup(s) | King Cup |
| International cup(s) | AFC Champions League Two (via winning the King Cup) |
| Current champions | Al-Qadsiah (4th titles) (2023–24 season) |
| Most championships | Hajer Al-Wehda Al-Qadsiah (4 titles each) |
| Top goalscorer | Ousmane Barry (108 goals) |
| TV partners | AlRiyadiyah |
| Current: 2024–25 | |
Hajer, Al-Wehda and Al-Qadsiah hold the record number of championships in the league with four. While Ohod holds the record for number of promotions from the First Division to the Pro League, nine.[3]
Promotion and relegation
editThe top two teams are promoted to the Professional League directly, a play-off system to determine the third team to be promoted along side the two. Teams placed between third and sixth position took part in the promotion play-offs. The fifth-placed would face the fourth, while the sixth-placed team would face the third. The final would be single-legged, hosted by the higher-placed team, while the bottom three teams are relegated to the Second Division.
List of teams (2024–25 season)
editFor details on the FDL League 2024–25 season, see here.
Stadium and locations
edit
- Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
League rules
editSince the 2018–19 season the number of foreign players in the league was increased from 3 to 7.[20] Seven substitutes are permitted to be selected, from which three can be used in the duration of the game.
Club performances
editPromotions by season
edit
- Note
- 1First Division and Premier League were merged in 1981–82.
Performance by club
edit| Club | Winners | Winning years |
|---|---|---|
| Hajer | 4
|
1988, 1998, 2011, 2014 |
| Al-Wehda | 4
|
1983, 1996, 2003, 2018 |
| Al-Qadsiah | 4
|
2002, 2009, 2015, 2024 |
| Al-Nahda | 3
|
1977, 1991, 1993 |
| Al-Tai | 3
|
1985, 1995, 2001 |
| Ohod | 3
|
1981, 1984, 2004 |
| Al-Riyadh | 2
|
1978, 1989 |
| Al-Najma | 2
|
1990, 1994 |
| Al-Ansar | 2
|
1986, 2000 |
| Al-Raed | 2
|
1992, 2008 |
| Al-Hazem | 2
|
2005, 2021 |
| Al-Khaleej | 2
|
2006, 2022 |
| Al-Shabab | 1
|
1979 |
| Al-Jabalain | 1
|
1980 |
| Al-Kawkab | 1
|
1987 |
| Al-Taawoun | 1
|
1997 |
| Sdoos | 1
|
1999 |
| Al-Watani | 1
|
2007 |
| Al-Faisaly | 1
|
2010 |
| Al-Shoulla | 1
|
2012 |
| Al-Orobah | 1
|
2013 |
| Al-Ettifaq | 1
|
2016 |
| Al-Fayha | 1
|
2017 |
| Abha | 1
|
2019 |
| Al-Batin | 1
|
2020 |
| Al-Ahli | 1
|
2023 |
Top scorers
edit| Nat. | Top Scorers | Club | Season | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ablaye Mbengue | Al-Arabi | 2022–2023 | 29 |
|
Carolus Andria | Ohod Club | 2021–2022 | 25 |
|
Ibrahim Diomandé | Ohod Club | 2020–2021 | 24 |
|
Ousmane Barry | Al-Bukiryah FC | 2019–2020 | 27 |
|
|
Carolus Andria | Al-Adalah | 2018–2019 | 22 |
|
Mashari Al-Enezi | Al-Tai | 2017–2018 | 21 |
|
|
Abdulfattah Adam | Al Jeel | 2016–2017 | 20 |
|
|
Abdulfattah Adam | Al Jeel | 2015–2016 | 20 |
|
|
Mousa Madkhali | Al-Wehda | 2014–2015 | 20 |
|
|
Hamad Al-Juhaim | Al-Ta'ee | 2013–2014 | 20 |
|
|
Mousa Madkhali | Hetten | 2012–2013 | 22 |
|
|
Younes Alaiwi | Al-Batin | 2011–2012 | 21 |
|
|
Hussain Al-Turki | Khaleej | 2010–2011 | 20 |
|
|
Hussain Al-Turki | Khaleej | 2009–2010 | 16 |
|
|
Mohammad Al-Sahlawi Mohammad Alhelo |
Al-Qadsiah Sdoos |
2008–2009 | 15[21] |
|
|
Khalid Al Rejaib | Hajer | 2007–2008 | 9 |
|
|
Al Hasan Al-Yami | Najran | 2006–2007 | 20 |
|
|
Mubarak Al Khaleefah | Khaleej | 2005–2006 | 18 |
|
|
Mohammed Abuarad | Abha | 2004–2005 | 19 |
|
|
Mohammed Abuarad | Abha | 2003–2004 | 15 |
|
|
Mohammed Abuarad | Abha | 2002–2003 | 16 |
|
|
Mohammed Manga | Sdoos | 2001–2002 | 12[22] |
|
|
Mohammed Abuarad | Abha | 2000–2001 | 14 |
|
|
Mohammed Harshan | Najran | 1999–2000 | 11 |
|
|
Mubarak Al Khaleefah | Al-Rawdhah | 1998–1999 | 13[23] |
| 1997–1998 | ||||
|
|
Mousa Sahab | Al-Taawoun | 1996–1997 | |
|
|
Obeid Al-Dosari | Al-Wehda | 1995–1996 | |
|
|
Yehey Jako | Al-Ta'ee | 1994–1995 | 11[24] |
|
|
Khalid Al-Mansour | Al-Arabi | 1993–1994 | 15 |
|
|
Hamzah Idris | Ohod | 1992–93 | 10 |
|
|
Sulaiman Al Hadaithi Mohamed Al Khalifa Nasser Al-Qahtani |
Al-Najma Hajer Al-Rawdhah |
1991–1992 | 11 |
|
|
Ahmed Al-Zaaq | Al-Taawoun | 1990–1991 | 11 |
|
|
Khalid Al-Mansour Hamzah Idris |
Al-Arabi Ohod |
1989–1990 | 11 |
|
|
Khalid Al-Mansour | Al-Arabi | 1988–1989 | 14 |
|
|
Khalid Al-Mansour Fahd Al-Hamdan |
Al-Arabi Al-Riyadh |
1987–1988 | 11 |
|
|
Khalid Al-Mansour | Al-Arabi | 1986–1987 | 16 |
|
|
Abdullah Al Saab | Al-Fayha | 1985–1986 | 8[25] |
|
|
Walid Sharqi | Al-Ansar | 1984–1985 | |
|
|
Mohamed Al-Suwaiyed | Damac | 1983–1984 | 11 |
|
|
Shaye Al-Nafisah | Al-Kawkab | 1982–1983 | 12 |
| 1981–1982 1First Division and Premier League were merged |
||||
|
|
Abdullah Al-Mansour | Al-Taawoun | 1980–1981 | 9 |
|
|
Daran Al Daran | Al-Jabalain | 1979–1980 | 16[26] |
| 1978–1979 | ||||
| 1977–1978 | ||||
| 1976–1977 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Official SAFF site in English（also known as Saudi League 1st Division）
- ^ Official SAFF site in English
- ^ "سجل الفائزين". Retrieved 17 May 2019.
- ^ "Prince Sultan Sport City Stadium (Mahalah)".
- ^ "Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium".
- ^ "استاد مدينة الملك سعود الرياضية". kooora.com. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
- ^ "Department of Education Stadium in Unaizah".
- ^ "Al batin Club Stadiuem".
- ^ "Albukiryah Club Stadium".
- ^ "Alhazm Club Stadium".
- ^ "استاد الأمير عبدالعزيز بن مساعد بن جلوي". kooora.com. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
- ^ "ملعب نادي العروبة - AlOrubah Club Stadium".
- ^ "ملعب نادي الجبيل".
- ^ "ملعب نادي النجمة".
- ^ "استاد مدينة الأمير سعود بن جلوي الرياضية (الراكة)".
- ^ "استاد الأمير محمد بن فهد - Prince Mohammed Bin Fahad Stadium".
- ^ "ملعب نادي الزلفي - Zulfi Club Stadium".
- ^ "مدينة الملك خالد.. 30 عاماً في خدمة الشباب والرياضة".
- ^ "ملعب نادي أحد".
- ^ "10 ملايين و7 أجانب في دوري الأمير محمد بن سلمان". 24 February 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ alriyadh 12 May 2009 issue 14932 (in Arabic)
- ^ Al Jazirah 30 Mar 2002 issue 10775 (in Arabic)
- ^ Al Jazirah 5 Mar 1999 issue 9654 (in Arabic)
- ^ Al Jazirah 2 Apr 1995 issue 8211 (in Arabic)
- ^ Al Jazirah 7 Mar 1986 issue 4908 (in Arabic)
- ^ Al Jazirah 7 April 1980 issue 2819 (in Arabic)
External links
edit