DUBAI // Apollo Perelini, the UAE forwards coach, says a desire to help arrest the decline of representative rugby in this country prompted him to join the national team’s staff for their 2015 campaign.
Perelini ended a celebrated, 14-year association with rugby in the UK when he moved to Dubai to take up a coaching role at Repton School in 2008.
Despite having his wealth of wisdom on their doorstep, the Rugby Federation were unable to empower Perelini to officially help out until this year.
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In the intervening seven years, the representative side has changed from Arabian Gulf to the single-state UAE in 2010, and dropped down from the top tier of Asian rugby to the third.
Perelini has assisted Roelof Kotze, the performance manager, with preparations for next week’s Asian Rugby Championship Division 2 matches.
“I was approached, I made a few sacrifices to be involved, but I want to help with development and help get the country back up a few tiers,” Perelini said.
“We have lost a lot of places since the disbandment of the Arabian Gulf, and it is important we start working to bring up the UAE flag.
“It is not just for the top level national side, but also at the development level of the game and trying to help with the long-term development plan.”
In addition to Perelini, Kotze has enlisted the help of Steve Thompson, England’s World Cup-winning hooker in 2003 and fellow Dubai resident, at times in the build-up to the tour of Malaysia.
Kotze is grateful for the expertise they have been able to bring to bear on the squad of players assembled.
“We have a lot of ability, which is where guys like Steve and Apollo will help,” said Kotze, who will oversee his second Test when the UAE face Thailand on Sunday.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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