Arabian Gulf League season given provisional date of August to resume

Ahmed Barman, left, of Al Ain shadows Al Jazira's Omar Abdulrahman during the Arabian Gulf League football match at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National

The match was played in front of empty stands after the FA ordered all UAE matches to be played behind closed doors.

Al Ain, in purple, in action against hosts Al Jazira.

Al Ain's Laba Kodjo.

Al Ain's Caio Canedo, right, shields the ball from Al Jazira's Omar Abdulrahman.

Ahmed Barman of Al Ain, left, in action against Al Jazira's Omar Abdulrahman.

Mohamed Abdulrahman, of Al Ain, passes the ball.

The Arabian Gulf League has been given August as a provisional date for its resumption after getting the green light from the relevant authorities.

The announcement was made late on Wednesday in a joint statement with the Football Association, who confirmed that all football that falls under its auspices could return that month. Football competitions, including the Arabian Gulf League and the First Division, had been suspended indefinitely from March 15 as the UAE sought to restrict the spread of the coronavirus.

“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 members of society,” read a league statement.

“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 2020.

“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.”

The Arabian Gulf League was postponed 19 rounds into its season, meaning there remain seven match-days left to play. At present, Shabab Al Ahli Dubai lead the standings, six points clear of second-placed Al Ain.