The 2010âÂÂ11 Saudi Professional League (known as the Zain Professional League for sponsorship reasons) was the 35th season of the Saudi Pro League, the top Saudi professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1976. The season began on 14 August 2010, and ended on 20 May 2011. Al-Hilal were the defending champions. The league was contested by the 12 teams from the 2009âÂÂ10 season as well as Al-Faisaly and Al-Taawoun, who joined as the promoted clubs from the Saudi First Division. No teams were relegated the previous season following the decision to increase the number of teams from 12 to 14.
On 29 April, defending champions Al-Hilal won their 13th league title with two games to spare after a 1âÂÂ0 home win over Al-Raed. Al-Hilal ended the season without a single defeat â the first team ever to do so in a 26-game league season and the second team overall (the first was Al-Ettifaq in 1983, during an 18-game league season).
Al-Hazem were the first team to be relegated following a 2âÂÂ0 away defeat to Al-Taawoun. Al-Wehda became the second and final team to be relegated following the decision to dock 3 points from them.
The SAFF announced that the number of teams in the league would be increased from 12 to 14.
The league champions, runners-up and third place as well as the winner of the King Cup of Champions qualified for the 2012 AFC Champions League.
The top six teams, and the Crown Prince Cup winners and runners-up qualified for King Cup of Champions.
Prize money:
14 teams competed in the league â 12 teams from the previous season and two teams promoted from the First Division. No teams were relegated the previous season following the decision to increase the number of teams from 12 to 14. The promoted teams were Al-Faisaly (returning after an absence of three years) and Al Taawoun (returning after an absence of 13 years).
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The number of foreign players is restricted to four per team, including a slot for a player from AFC countries.
Players name in bold indicates the player was registered during the mid-season transfer window. Players name in italic indicates the player was de-registered or left their respective clubs during the mid-season transfer window.
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<sup>4</sup> Player scored 4 goals<br>(H) â Home team<br>(A) â Away team
The Arriyadiyah and Mobily Awards for Sports Excellence were awarded at the conclusion of the season for the fifth time since its inception in 2007. The awards were sponsored by Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah and Saudi telecommunication company Mobily. The awards were presented on 11 September 2011.
The Al-Riyadiya Awards were awarded for the second time since its inception last year. The awards were presented on 15 June 2011.