Coronavirus: UAE FA approve Arabian Gulf League clubs to impose 40 per cent pay cuts

The proposal was put forward at a virtual meeting on Sunday chaired by FA president Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi

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 Football Association has authorised clubs in the Arabian Gulf League to temporarily deduct up to 40 per cent of salaries from players and coaches.

The proposal, which allows monthly wages to be reduced provided they do not fall below Dh15,000, was put forward at a virtual meeting on Sunday chaired by Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, the FA president.

Salaries in the First Division can also be reduced by the same amount, but on the provision those players and coaches’ wages do not fall under Dh10,000 per month. The leagues’ foreign players and coaches will be asked to commit to the proposal, in compliance with Fifa guidelines.

The recommendations, should they be ratified at another meeting on Monday with all of the respective clubs, would be backdated to when football in the country was suspended on March 15 to limit the spread of coronavirus and continue until competitions return.

Earlier on Sunday, the FA confirmed an extension to the postponement of all competition that falls under its auspices "until further notice". When implemented last month, it had initially been put in place for four weeks.

The FA will continue to “evaluate and review” the situation, with a decision regarding the resumption of competition taken only in consultation with the relevant authorities.

The Arabian Gulf League ceased play on March 15, one day after completing its 19th Round. The FA is assessing a number of options for a restart, including a return in June.

In addition to the salary reductions, the governing body authorised an extension to player contracts beyond June 30 that were to end at the conclusion of this season, and also a shift in transfer windows, in compliance with Fifa. It was determined that transfers to be completed this summer will be delayed until when next season does start.