'I just don't like it' - Riyad Mahrez's wife Taylor Ward opens up on Saudi Arabia culture shock following ex-Man City man's Al-Ahli transfer

Ward shared her struggles in an emotional scene on Married To The Game,a new reality series that also features the partners of Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, Jorginho, Matt Turner and James Tarkowski.

The Algerian's move to the Saudi Pro League after 10 seasons in England came as a shock to Ward, who suddenly faced the prospect of moving away from her native Manchester with the couple's young daughter.

"I feel like it is so hard, there are times I can’t, I just don’t like it," confessed Ward.

The model recounted a story where she asked to use the hotel pool, only to be told it was off limits.

"I won’t lie, I had a freak out yesterday. I rang the hotel to ask 'I’m coming with my baby, what do people wear around the pool', I know it is a lot more conservative there and you have to dress a certain way.

‘"I said 'I just want to check when I come with a baby what is the best thing to wear, do I need to wear something covered if I am going in the water?'

"They were like 'oh no sorry, it’s just a man’s pool, it is just a gents pool'".

Saudi's summer explosion saw the league snap up a host of the world's top stars in an unprecedented spending spree. But there have been hints that some players and their families have struggled to adapt to life in the kingdom.

England's Jordan Henderson extricated himself from his Al-Ettifaq contract after just five months, taking a huge financial hit in the process after failing to settle in the league. The midfielder, who was keen to play European football ahead of this summer's European Championship, has since joined Dutch giants Ajax.

Matters on the field haven't gone too well for the couple either, with Mahrez's Al-Ahli failing to mount a title challenge and falling to defeat on their return from the Saudi winter break last week. The former City winger's side are currently third in the league table, 16 points behind leaders Al-Hilal and nine off Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr. Mahrez and Co are next in action against struggling Al-Tai this Saturday.