Al Hilal have officially lost the 2025/26 Sudan Premier League title after the Sudan Football Association (SFA) Appeals Committee upheld an appeal filed by their arch-rivals, Al Merrikh.
The ruling dramatically altered the final league standings, with Al Hilal being deducted to 18 points while Al Merrikh moved up to 21 points and were crowned the new Sudan Premier League champions.
The sanction stemmed from Al Hilal's use of eight foreign players in a league match against Al Merrikh, a number that was alleged to have breached the competition's regulations. After reviewing Al Merrikh's appeal, the Appeals Committee awarded Al Hilal a 2-0 defeat, a decision that overturned the final standings and cost the club the league title.
The verdict has sparked widespread debate across Sudanese football, given the fierce rivalry between Al Hilal and Al Merrikh, two clubs that have dominated the country's football landscape for decades. The Sudan Premier League title has frequently been decided between these traditional rivals.
Al Hilal had enjoyed an impressive season on the pitch and also performed strongly in the CAF Champions League. However, administrative errors relating to the registration and use of foreign players ultimately overshadowed their achievements and resulted in the loss of the championship.
Al Hilal have since appealed the decision, arguing that three of the players in question had legally obtained Sudanese citizenship and therefore should not have been counted as foreign players under the league's regulations.
