| Season: | 2021–22 |
| Dates: | 6 September 2021 – 28 May 2022 |
| Matches: | 380 |
| Total Goals: | 825 |
| League Topscorer: | Carolus Andria (25 goals) |
| Longest Wins: | Hajer Ohod (5 matches) |
| Longest Unbeaten: | Al-Sahel (10 matches) |
| Longest Winless: | Al-Kawkab (26 matches) |
| Longest Losses: | Bisha (7 matches) |
| Biggest Home Win: | |
| Biggest Away Win: | |
| Highest Scoring: | |
| Updated: | 28 May 2022 |
The 2021–22 First Division League (known as the Yelo League for sponsorship reasons) was the first season of the Saudi First Division League after its rebrand, and the 45th season of the Saudi First Division since its establishment in 1976. The season started on 6 September 2021 and concluded on 28 May 2022.[1] [2]
All three teams were promoted on the final day of the season. Al-Khaleej were promoted and crowned champions following a 0–0 away draw with Najran.[3] Al-Adalah were promoted following a 0–0 draw away to Jeddah.[4] Al-Wehda were promoted following a 3–0 away win against Al-Diriyah.[5]
Bisha were the first team to be relegated on 5 May. They were relegated following a 2–1 defeat away to Al-Adalah.[6] Al-Kawkab were relegated a day later following a 2–0 home defeat to Al-Jabalain.[7] Al-Nahda became the third side to be relegated following a 3–0 defeat away to Ohod on 18 May.[8] On 23 May, Al-Diriyah became the fourth side to be relegated despite a 2–1 away win against Bisha.[9] On the final matchday, Al-Jeel became the fifth and final side to be relegated despite a 2–1 away win against Al-Nahda.[10]
On 9 October 2020, the Saudi FF announced that the number of teams in the league would be decreased to 18 starting from the 2022–23 season. To prepare for these changes it was announced that 5 teams would be relegated in the 2021–22 season and only 3 teams would be promoted from the 2021–22 Second Division.[11]
On 26 August 2021, the newly appointed executive director of the FDL, Talal Al-Obaidi, announced a rebrand; beginning with the 2021–22 season, the competition would be known as the First Division League (FDL). As part of the rebranding, a new logo was introduced.[12] [13]
On 1 September 2021, the FDL announced a sponsorship with car rental company Yelo. As part of the sponsorship deal, the First Division League would be known as the Yelo League for the next 3 seasons.[14] [15]
The following teams have changed division since the 2021–22 season.
Promoted from Second Division
Relegated from Pro League
Promoted to Pro League
Relegated to Second Division
A total of 20 teams are contesting the league, including 13 sides from the 2020–21 season, 4 promoted teams from the Second Division and the three relegated sides from the Pro League.
The first club to be relegated to the First Division League was Al-Ain, who were relegated after only a year in the top flight 2–0 defeat away to Al-Nassr on 14 May 2021.[16] In the final matchday, both Al-Qadsiah and Al-Wehda were relegated following a draw with Abha and a loss against Al-Shabab respectively.[17] Al-Qadsiah were relegated after only a year in the top flight while Al-Wehda were relegated after three years in the top flight.
The first club to be promoted was Al-Orobah who were promoted despite a 1–0 away defeat to Afif on 27 March 2021.[18] On 3 April 2021, both Al-Okhdood and Bisha were promoted. Al-Okhdood were promoted following a 1–1 draw with Al-Taqadom while Bisha were promoted following a 2–0 win over Al-Jandal.[19] The final club to be promoted was Al-Kholood, who were promoted following a 3–1 away win over Al-Dahab in the final matchday.[20]
Al-Okhdood defeated Al-Orobah 4–2 on penalties (3–3 after extra time) to win their second title and first since 1992.[21]
Al-Kholood and Bisha will play in the First Division League for the first time in their history. Al-Orobah return after an absence of two seasons and will play in their 13th overall season in the First Division League. Al-Okhdood return to the First Division League for the first time since the 1992–93 season. They will play in their 2nd season in the First Division League.
Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
On 26 June 2021, the Saudi FF announced that the number of foreign players was increased from 4 players to 5 players.[37]
Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the mid-season transfer window.
The table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order to preserve chronological evolvements, any postponed matches are not included in the round at which they were originally scheduled but added to the full round they were played immediately afterward.
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals[38] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carolus Andria | Ohod | 25 |
| 2 |  Uilliam | Al-Sahel | 19 |
| 3 |  Ahmed Abdu Jaber | Al-Wehda | 18 |
| 4 |  Mamadou Soro | Al-Khaleej | 16 |
| 5 | Adriano Pardal | Hajer | 14 |
 Modibo Maïga | Hajer | ||
| Rayllan Bruno | Al-Orobah | ||
| 8 | Jhonnattann | Al-Sahel | 12 |
| 9 | Ibrahim Diomandé | Al-Qadsiah | 11 |
 Marlon | Al-Jabalain | ||
| Ibrahima Tandia | Al-Adalah | ||
 Piqueti | Al-Shoulla | ||
| Player | For | Against | Result | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4–2 (A) | [39] | ||||
| Uilliam4 | 6–3 (A) | [40] | |||
| Jassem Al-Hamdan4 | 5–1 (A) | [41] | |||
| 4–1 (H) | [42] | ||||
| Ahmed Abdu Jaber4 | 5–1 (H) | [43] | |||
| Rank | Player | Club | Clean sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mutab Sharahili | Al-Khaleej | 17 |
| 2 | Abdulquddus Atiah | Al-Wehda | 16 |
| 3 | Abduraouf Al-Daqeel | Hajer | 15 |
| 4 | Saad Al-Saleh | Al-Qadsiah | 14 |
| 5 | Abdulrahman Al-Shammari | Najran | 13 |
| 6 | Ricardo Ribeiro | Al-Jabalain | 12 |
| Emanuel Novo | Jeddah | ||
| 8 | Ali Al-Ameri | Al-Adalah | 11 |
| Nasser Al-Saiari | Al-Ain | ||
| 10 | Abdulaziz Al-Mwijed | Al-Jeel | 10 |
| Sultan Al-Ghamdi | Al-Orobah | ||
| Round | Player of the Round | Reference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Club | |||
| Round 23 | Diego Miranda | Al-Khaleej | align=center | [44] |
| Round 24 | Sultan Al-Sawadi | Al-Wehda | align=center | [45] |
| Round 25 |  Mohammad Fouad | Jeddah | align=center | [46] |
| Round 26 | Yahya Al-Najei | Al-Wehda | align=center | [47] |
| Round 27 | Ibrahim Diomandé | Al-Qadsiah | align=center | [48] |
| Round 28 |  Borhen Hkimi | Najran | align=center | [49] |
| Round 29 | Ali Al-Ameri | Al-Adalah | align=center | [50] |
| Round 30 | Muaiad Al-Tolayhi | Al-Kholood | align=center | [51] |
| Round 31 | Waleed Al-Shangeati | Al-Adalah | align=center | [52] |
| Round 32 |  Omar Wade | Al-Shoulla | align=center | [53] |
| Round 33 | Saleh Aboulshamat | Al-Qadsiah | align=center | [54] |
| Round 34 | Modibo Maïga | Hajer | align=center | [55] |
| Round 35 | Ayman Al-Hujaili | Al-Ain | align=center | [56] |
| Round 36 | Jhonnattann | Al-Sahel | align=center | [57] |
| Round 37 | Ahmed Abdu Jaber | Al-Wehda | align=center | [58] |
| Round 38 | Rayllan Bruno | Al-Orobah | align=center | [59] |
Ally Niyonzima
