Coronavirus: UAE FA deny claims Arabian Gulf League has been cancelled

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 denied claims the 2019/20 Arabian Gulf League has been cancelled.

On Wednesday, news emerged that a decision had been taken to call time on the campaign, which has been postponed since March 15 because of the coronavirus crisis. The league is 19 rounds in, with seven match-days left to play.

However, while the future of this season remains uncertain, talks are ongoing between the FA, the UAE Pro League that organises the league, and the relevant authorities to find the best solution. The Pro League will ultimately make the final decision, but only after consulting with the government, the FA and the division’s 14 clubs.

Earlier this month, the General Authority of Sports announced the suspension of all sports activities, including tournaments and competitions, effective immediately.

Rumours the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) might restart on April 15 have already been rejected, with no decision expected to be made before that time, especially given the fluidity of the global situation.

"Reports that the league has been cancelled are not true," Mohammed Hazzam Al Dhaheri, the FA's general secretary, told The National. "We took the measure on March 15 to stop all our activities until the 15th of this month, so we still have time.

“Until that day, we are open to everything. Nothing has changed until now. And if there is an extension to that period, we will continue to evaluate the options. We already have some scenarios, but the situation with the coronavirus is changing day-by-day. As I said, we have plans, and when the time comes, that right plan of action will be implemented.”

The FA continues to discuss issues surrounding player contracts and salaries, although they must first wait for Fifa to decide on its guidelines before choosing the most adequate path forward. Football’s governing body was to meet on Wednesday.

Al Dhaheri confirmed that speculation regarding an increase in clubs in the UAE top flight for next season were not true, and stressed the importance of all the respective parties - the FA, the Pro League, clubs - being involved in the decision-making process.