DUBAI // Former Al Ain star Jorge Valdivia is set for a return to the Arabian Gulf League, with reports in Brazil and Chile stating he has agreed on a three-year deal with promoted club Al Fujairah.
A member of the Chile squad at the World Cup, Valdivia already announced his departure from Brazilian club Palmeiras, where he spend the past four years since moving there from Al Ain.
“I am and will always be grateful to the fans, the club, the people who always supported me at all times,” Valdivia said on his Instagram page.
“Words cannot explain what this club means in my life, and not just football. I talk about life, six years that gave me good experiences and bad – the obstacles, the kidnappings, the assaults.”
Two years ago, Valdivia was kidnapped by a gunman in Perdizes, a neighbourhood of Sao Paulo.
“My future is in another club from now, but my admiration for Palmeiras is for life,” Valdivia said, without identifying his destination. “I would have loved to continue here until I am old, but the club needs money. So I hope you understand me and know that I will be eternally grateful to you.”
Fujairah, who were second in Division One last year, have shown plenty of ambition as they build for the new season.
The club have already hired former Al Ain and Hamburg striker Boubacar Sanogo and Ghana midfielder Charles Takyi, while retaining Lebanese midfielder Hassan Maatouk. According to media reports in Brazil, Fujairah will pay US$7.5 million (Dh27.6m) for Valdivia, who was a star for Al Ain for two years beginning in 2008.
Ricardo Gareca, the Palmeiras coach, confirmed Valdivia was on his way out in a recent interview with Globosporte. The Chilean had one year left on his contract and was eligible to leave in January, so Palmeiras cashed in.
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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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