Provisional August return date set for Arabian Gulf League

Sport360 staff 12:25 30/04/2020
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  • (UAE Pro League).

    A probable five-month hiatus has been confirmed for the Arabian Gulf League after it announced relevant authorities had given permission for a “provisional plan” to resume competition in August.

    All play in the Emirates was suspended on March 15 in a bid to curb coronavirus’ spread. Match-weeks 18 and 19 of the top flight were held behind closed doors, prior to this intervention.

    Wednesday night’s coordinated statements by AGL organisers, the UAE Pro League, and the UAE Football Association confirmed that all areas that come under the latter’s auspices could restart in late summer. They also have control over the Under-21 competition, First Division League, Second Division League, national teams, women’s football, youth football, beach soccer, futsal and private academies.

    “The UAE Pro League is following up with the relevant UAE authorities on the latest developments concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and the hard work that is being carried out to protect all member of society,” said the former-mentioned group.

    “After analysing the situation with the relevant authorities, the UAE Pro League has decided, in coordination with the UAE Football Association, a plan for its competitions to resume in August.

    “This provisional plan will be evaluated continuously in collaboration with the national authorities, the UAE Football Association and the Asian Football Confederation. The UAE Pro League will determine the changes to regulations and decision-making mechanisms related to its competitions in due course, taking into consideration the announcement will give clubs a suitable amount of time to prepare properly.”

    Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club hold a six-point lead in the 2019/20 AGL, with seven match-weeks to fulfil. Hatta and Fujairah sit in the relegation places.

    Question marks remain about what this recommencement will resemble. The UAE FA declared it would “determine the regulations and decision-making mechanism for its competitions later”.

    They said: “The UAE Football Association had followed up with the latest health developments related to the coronavirus epidemic and the efforts made by the authorities to limit its spread and protect the members of the society.

    “After assessing the situation with these entities, the UAE Football Association decided in coordination with UAE Pro League to resume the football activities in the country next August initially, with a continuous evaluation of the situation with the competent authorities, The FIFA and The AFC, taking into consideration the health situation at that time.

    “The Football Association will determine the regulations and decision-making mechanism for its competitions later and in a sufficient period, to allow the clubs to prepare the best way possible.”

    Lockdown restrictions were loosened across all emirates on Friday, the first day of Ramadan. The UAE has, to date, recorded 11,929 cases and 98 deaths.

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