The Saudi Pro League has one goal - to become the best league in the world.
But it is mainly four clubs that have geared up.
Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal and Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr – all backed by the Saudi state investment fund, PIF of which Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is chairman.
It is not the right way to build a top league, believes Saudi club team Al Fateh's coach Slaven Bilic.
- It would be a mistake to divide a league into two leagues.
The Premier League is not the best league in the world just because of Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal.
Manchester United, Tottenham, he tells SVT.
Bilic, also a former Croatian national team captain and Premier League manager, stresses the importance of consistency as a cornerstone of success.
- The Premier League is the best league in the world also because it is difficult for Manchester City to face Burnley and West Ham.
That's what makes the league.
Bottom match with 264 spectators
The differences within the league can also be seen in the results.
Series leader Al Hilal, for example, has won matches 7–0 and 9–0.
As uneven as the results are the audience figures.
While the top teams can have over 50,000 spectators, the bottom teams only have a few hundred in the crowd.
In the documentary "Saudi Arabia - the new Mecca of football", SVT is at a match with only 264 spectators.
Watch the documentary "Saudi Arabia - the new Mecca of football" on SVT Play.
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Here, the sports manager for the Saudi league leaves SVT's interview - but forgets to take off the microphone.
See more in the clip.
Photo: Kalle Segerbäck/SVT
Great contrasts.
Image from a league match in the Saudi Pro League with only 264 spectators in the stands.
The day before, the big match between Cristiano Ronaldo's al Nassr and Neymar's al Hilal was held with over 50,000 spectators.
Photo: Kalle Segerbäck/SVT