Al Ain win licensing appeal, set to compete in 2018 Asian Champions League

Al Ain are set to compete in next year’s Asian Champions League after they had their 2017/18 UAE club licensing granted on appeal.

The Garden City side, finalists last year, had initially been denied a licence since they did not meet certain criteria set by the Pro League Committee (PLC) and based upon Asian Football Confederation guidelines.

Only five of last season's 14 Arabian Gulf League (AGL) clubs were awarded their licence in October, with UAE champions Al Jazira and President’s Cup holders Al Wahda given theirs provisionally.

However, Al Ain’s appeal to the PLC’s First Instance Body proved successful late on Monday, paving the way for their participation in next year’s Champions League.

Still the only UAE club to have won the title, Al Ain looked to miss out originally having finished fourth in last season’s AGL. The Champions League spots are usually reserved for the top two in the table and the President’s Cup winners, with third place in the league entering a play-off to make the continental competition.

Yet Shabab Al Ahli Dubai’s application for a licence was dismissed since the club, merged in May, did not fulfill the basic criteria of being in existence for at least two years. That paved the way for Al Ain to compete in the Champions League, but only if their licence was granted.

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Al Ain are the country’s most successful side in the tournament after winning the trophy in 2003. They have returned to the final twice since, in 2005 and then again last year. In the final last November, they were beaten by Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, losing 3-2 on aggregate to the South Koreans.

Zoran Mamic’s men are now expected to attempt to go one better next year, although they will first have to negotiate a play-off in January to qualify for the group stages the following month. Currently, Al Ain sit second in the 2017/18 AGL, level on points with leaders Al Wasl.

Wasl are one of three UAE clubs already qualified for the Champions League, alongside Jazira and Wahda. Meanwhile, First Division side Baniyas also had their 2017/18 licence granted on appeal, although Hatta, Kalba and Dibba were rejected. Al Nasr, Al Dhafra, Emirates club and Sharjah were granted their licences earlier this month.

The Asian Football Federation implemented the club licensing system at the beginning of the 2012/13 season as a mandatory requirement to participate in the Champions League. The UAE's clubs' licensing regulations are based on the governing body’s guidelines, with the regulations constituting the base working document for clubs. Reasons for the clubs failing to obtain their licences have not been made public.

Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

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Riders must be 14-years-old or over
Wear a protective helmet
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Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:

For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

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Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport

Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial

Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

How does ToTok work?

The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

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Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)

The Disaster Artist

Director: James Franco

Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan

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How the bonus system works

The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.

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All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.

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How to apply for a drone permit

Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
Submit their request

What are the regulations?

Fly it within visual line of sight
Never over populated areas
Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
Should have a live feed of the drone flight
Drones must weigh 5 kg or less

Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

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2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills