The UAE Football Association have confirmed clubs from their nation will not pull out of the 2018 AFC Champions League, despite voicing “strong reservations” about the AFC’s repeat decision to enforce home-and-away meetings with teams from pariah-state Qatar.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia lead a bloc that severed all relations with the Doha government in June because of its alleged support for terrorism. This has forced strain on relations between the neighbours, at all levels.
Demands were made in the wake of November’s ACL draw that games against Qatar Stars League-outfits must be played at neutral venues. But after a thorough review, the continental governing body reconfirmed on Saturday in a letter that the existing format would remain.
The UAE FA reluctantly accepted this stance on Sunday, sending out an official statement which read: “The UAE Football Association will provide all facilities and support to our teams participating in the 2018 AFC Champions League, despite our strong reservations about the way, and the mechanism by which, the decision was reached.
“We are keen to cooperate with the AFC and announce the participation of our clubs in the 2018 AFC Champions League.
“We will coordinate with the clubs on all details.
“We will also hold a meeting with the AFC to ensure safe participation of the teams.”
Teams from the UAE and Qatar are guaranteed to meet each other in all four groups in the west if Al Ain and Al Gharafa win Tuesday’s play-offs.
Clashes between sides from Saudi Arabia and Iran will continue to be played at neutral venues, with the political situation deemed too hostile.
