Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr Match Among Three Saudi Pro League Games Postponed Due to Houthi Missile Threats

Saudi Arabia's football league has postponed three fixtures, including one featuring Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr team, amid an escalated threat of missile attacks from Yemen's Houthis. The Saudi Pro League (SPL) announced the postponement of matchweek nine games, citing "logistical considerations, taking into account the mandatory minimum rest period between matches."

The match between league leaders Al Hilal and Al Riyadh, and the fixture between Al Ittihad and Al Shabab, have been rescheduled for December 19. Al Ahli's clash with Ronaldo's Al Nassr is now set for March 6, 2027. The SPL confirmed that other matchweek nine fixtures will proceed as originally scheduled.

This decision follows an incident on Monday where Al Nassr's AFC Champions League match against Uzbek side Neftchi Fergana was delayed by an hour after the coalition intercepted a missile fired towards Riyadh. Recent days have seen Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces launch a counteroffensive in Yemen, leading to missile strikes on various sites across Saudi Arabia.

The conflict's escalation has impacted civilian areas, with two strikes on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport resulting in casualties and suspended operations. Zein Basravi, reporting from Doha, noted that the notion of the Saudi-led coalition containing the conflict within Yemen has been challenged by recent attacks on Saudi soil.

Saudi Arabia's civil defence agency reported one injury from falling debris after a Houthi ballistic missile was downed over Riyadh. The Houthis have indicated intentions to continue targeting Saudi airports and oil facilities, including previous assaults on Saudi Aramco facilities and King Khalid International Airport.