Football Association announce sport in UAE to remain suspended

All activities were called off for four weeks from March 15

The President's Cup semi-final was played behind closed doors at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Football Association has reaffirmed its decision to suspend all football activity in the UAE for four weeks from March 15, meaning Arabian Gulf League clubs cannot return to training until further notice.

The governing body reiterated its stance on Monday following news overnight that clubs would be permitted to begin training again given players and staff passed the necessary testing for the coronavirus.

The Arabian Gulf League (AGL) was one of a number of competitions to have been postponed last week following the FA’s move to suspend all football that fell under its auspices, for four weeks at least. The governing body added that it would reassess the situation at the conclusion of that period.

On Monday, the FA released a statement that read: “The Football Association confirms that the decision includes all the competitions organised by the Football Association: the UAE Professional League, the activities of the national teams, the women's football committees, gymnasiums and the private academies, as well as all training for all ages, including the first and reserve team.”

“The decision comes after co-ordination with the competent authorities in the country, which makes great efforts to preserve the safety of all members of society."

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Stars who have tested positive

Former Manchester United player Marouane Fellaini tested positive in China where he plays for Shandong Luneng. He has now been discharged. Reuters

Juventus' Paulo Dybala said both he and his girlfriend Oriana tested positive though both were in "perfect conditions". AP Photo

Milan's sports director and club legend Paolo Maldini and his son Daniel, who plays for the same club, tested positive for Covid-19. A statement from the club said both are well. EPA

Wu Lei of Espanyol. "Wu Lei has mild symptoms and is currently undergoing treatment," the CFA said in a statement, adding that they had been given the news by La Liga strugglers Espanyol. The 28-year-old striker, China's best-known player, is in self-isolation at home in Barcelona, Xinhua news agency said. Getty Images

Kevin Durant is reportedly among four Brooklyn Nets players who have tested positive for the coronavirus and are in isolation. The injured Durant, who has yet to play for the Nets since signing for the team last year, confirmed to The Athletic website he had tested positive for the virus. "Everyone be careful, take care of yourself and quarantine. We're going to get through this," Durant was quoted as saying. AFP

Juventus confirmed on Tuesday night that French midfielder Blaise Matuidi had become the second player from the club to test positive for the coronavirus. Italian defender Daniele Rugani was the first player to play in Serie A to test positive last week. EPA

Valencia's Eliaquim Mangala, left, was one of five players and staff at the club to test positive. "I'm feeling good and I have no symptoms associated with the virus. However, I am confined in house and separated from my family," he said on Twitter. AP Photo

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tested positive on March 14 but said he was "feeling better already" the following day. Staff who had been in contact with him were self-isolating. AFP

Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert, who apologized for his careless actions before he was diagnosed with novel coronavirus, has pledged to donate more than half a million dollars to health services and arena workers affected by the pandemic. AFP

Valencia's Ezequiel Garay was the first La Liga player to test positive on March 15. "I tested positive for coronavirus, I feel very well and now all that's left is to do what the health authorities say, which is to isolate myself," he said on Instagram. All football is suspended in Spain. EPA

Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi was the first Premier League player to test positive. He said on Twitter on March 13: "As you may be aware I had the virus for the last couple of days which I have recovered from. I am following the health guidelines and self-isolating myself from everybody for the week. I hope to see everybody soon and hopefully will be back on the pitch very soon. Reuters

Juventus' Italian defender Daniele Rugani was confirmed to have the virus on March 12. "You've read the news, so I want to reassure everyone who's worried about me, I'm fine," Rugani said on Twitter. The entire Juventus squad is to spend two weeks in quarantine. AFP

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell was the second NBA player to contract the virus. The NBA season has been suspended. AP Photo

Manolo Gabbiadini of Sampdoria is one of five players to have tested positive at the club. "I still want to tell you that I'm fine, so don't worry. Follow all the rules, stay at home and everything will work out," said Gabbiadini on Twitter. PA Wire.

Sampdoria's Omar Colley, right, was confirmed to have coronavirus. Lapresse via AP

Albin Ekdal of Sampdoria tested positive. Italy is one of the worst affected countries. Getty Images

Fabio Depaoli, left of Sampdoria, said on Instagram that he was "fine" after testing positive. Getty Images

Morten Thorsby, left, was one of five Sampdoria footballers to test positive. Lapresse via AP

Fiorentina foward Patrick Cutrone, on loan from Premier League Wolves, is one of three players to test positive at the club. EPA

German Pezzella, right, of Fiorentina, said on Instagram that his symptoms had disappeared after he tested positive. EPA

Fiorentina's Dusan Vlahovic was another confirmed case. Fiorentina said in a statement on March 13: "The club is in the process of undertaking all the necessary isolation procedures in accordance with the regulations, starting with identifying all the people who have had contact with the player." EPA

Hannover's Timo Hubers, right, was the first player in Germany to be diagnosed. Reuters

Paderborn's Luca Kilian tested positive. The Bundesliga has been suspended until April 2. EPA

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The announcement to postpone the AGL was made after Round 19, which concluded on March 14. The FA discussed various options for the resolution of the league, but at the moment have not set a deadline as to when it must be completed. They are in constant dialogue with the relevant authorities, and will take a final decision only after consultation with them.

With seven rounds remaining this season, Shabab Al Ahli are currently top of the table, six points ahead of Al Ain.

The President’s Cup final, between Al Ain and Al Dhafra, is yet to be played, while four UAE clubs – Shabab Al Ahli, Al Wahda, Sharjah and Al Ain – compete in the Asian Champions League. The continental competition was suspended earlier this month, two rounds into the group stages.