The Saudi Sports Arbitration Center (SSAC) is the supreme and exclusive authority for resolving sports-related disputes within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The center is headquartered in Riyadh and operates with complete independence. Its legal foundation is based solely on the SSAC Statutes, its regulations, and procedural rules.

The center specializes in resolving sports disputes and disputes related to sports, including but not limited to:

1. Disputes between the Saudi Olympic Committee, sports federations, sports clubs, associations, sports academies, sports centers, players, referees, administrators, coaches, registered media personnel, intermediaries, sports event organizers, sponsors, and/or television or radio broadcasters, among others.
2. Disputes related to the use of performance-enhancing drugs (doping).
3. Sports disputes with an international aspect (e.g., involving a foreign player or coach), provided that the contract between the disputing parties or a written agreement explicitly states that the center has jurisdiction over the dispute.

SSAC Arbitration Chambers

The center exercises its jurisdiction in resolving sports disputes through the following arbitration chambers:

1. Ordinary Arbitration Chamber

This chamber is responsible for settling contractual or sports-related disputes where an arbitration clause refers the dispute to SSAC, or where a subsequent agreement permits arbitration before the center, provided that at least one party is a member of the sports system.

2. Appeals Arbitration Chamber

This chamber has jurisdiction over all appeals against decisions issued by sports bodies, after exhausting all internal legal remedies, except for football-related decisions. It also handles appeals against internal decisions of sports bodies that are not subject to appeal mechanisms specified in their statutes or regulations.

The appeal period before the SSAC is twenty-one (21) days from the date the disputing parties are notified of the decision being appealed unless a shorter period is specified in the statutes or regulations of the sports bodies—provided that the period is not less than ten (10) days.

3. Football Dispute Arbitration Chamber

This chamber adjudicates all appeals against decisions issued by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) and its affiliated committees after exhausting SAFF’s internal legal remedies in accordance with its statutes and regulations.

The appeal period before SSAC is twenty-one (21) days from the date the disputing parties are notified of the decision being appealed unless a shorter period is specified in the SAFF statutes and regulations—provided that the period is not less than ten (10) days.

4. Special and Temporary Dispute Chambers

The center has the authority to establish special or temporary chambers to resolve disputes related to sports activities. The SSAC Council issues special regulations governing the procedures of these chambers.

5. Mediation Chamber

This chamber is responsible for mediating disputes between parties to reach an amicable settlement and handling dispute resolution procedures agreed upon by the parties for mediation before SSAC.

Conclusion

The Saudi Sports Arbitration Center serves as the cornerstone for resolving sports disputes in Saudi Arabia, ensuring fair and independent arbitration procedures that promote transparency and justice in the sports sector. Through its various arbitration chambers, SSAC provides effective solutions for all types of sports disputes, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to developing a comprehensive and fair sports framework.