Saudi Professional League announce tentative date to Ministry of Sport, with first FIFA break coming after three rounds of the competition The Saudi Professional League (SPL) has set Aug. 12 as a tentative date for the start of the 2021-2022 domestic season, Arabic sports daily Arriyadiyah has reported. According to sources close to the SPL, the association informed the Technical Affairs Agency in the Ministry of Sports of the initial date for the start of the league season in order to complete all maintenance work for the stadiums and prepare them ahead of time. The 2020-21 season concluded on May 30, with Al-Hilal claiming a record 17th title. Since then, Saudi Arabia’s senior national team has concluded the second round of the AFC qualification for the 2022 World Cup and progressed to the last stage set to take place in September. The sources also indicated that three rounds of the league will be played before a 10-day international break takes place, which sees the Saudi squad convene for the first time in the season.