Al Merriekh have been officially crowned champions of the 2025/26 Sudanese Premier League after a ruling by the league’s Appeals Committee overturned the result of the decisive derby against rivals Al Hilal.
The decision means Al Hilal are no longer league champions, with the title immediately handed over to Al Merriekh, who secure their 36th Sudanese Premier League crown under head coach Darko Noviฤ.
The controversy stemmed from a breach of the league’s player eligibility regulations during the derby. Sudanese Premier League rules permit clubs to field a maximum of five foreign players in a match. While Al Merriekh complied with the regulation by using five foreign players, Al Hilal fielded eight, prompting their rivals to lodge an official protest and appeal.
After reviewing the case, the Appeals Committee ruled in favour of Al Merriekh, awarding them a 2-0 victory and the three points from the fixture.
The verdict dramatically altered the final league standings, elevating Al Merriekh to the top of the table and stripping Al Hilal of the championship.
The ruling brings an extraordinary conclusion to the 2025/26 Sudanese Premier League season, with Al Merriekh celebrating a record-extending 36th league title following one of the most significant administrative decisions in the competition’s recent history.
