Al Ahly has responded to the complaint filed by Merih Demiral with a counter-move against Al Nassr, keeping the war between the two clubs alive. The Saudi club’s management is preparing an official complaint against the Riyadh-based side, according to sources close to the matter.
The dispute stems from the match between Al Ahly and Al Nassr on February 13, 2026, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Demiral, the Al Ahly defender, filed a complaint against his own club after being substituted in the 67th minute, claiming he was not given a proper explanation for the decision.
Al Ahly’s management, however, sees the situation differently. They believe Al Nassr played a role in encouraging Demiral to take this step, especially after the player’s agent was spotted in talks with Al Nassr officials during the January 2026 transfer window. The club now plans to submit evidence to the Saudi Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee.
The expected complaint from Al Ahly will focus on what they describe as “illegal approaches” by Al Nassr to destabilize their player. Sources confirm that Al Ahly has gathered documents showing contact between Demiral’s representatives and Al Nassr before the complaint was filed.
Demiral, who joined Al Ahly in July 2025 from Atalanta, has been a key figure in the defense this season. His complaint against the club surprised many, as he had been a regular starter under the coach. The Turkish international claimed he felt “humiliated” by the substitution during the Al Nassr match.
Al Ahly’s response comes after the Disciplinary Committee opened an investigation into Demiral’s complaint on February 20, 2026. The club now wants to turn the tables by accusing Al Nassr of violating regulations regarding player contact.
Both clubs are expected to present their cases in the coming days. The Disciplinary Committee has not set a date for a hearing yet, but sources say the matter could be resolved before the end of March 2026. Al Ahly insists they will not back down, while Al Nassr has declined to comment on the allegations.
