DUBAI // Al Nasr have denied claims that Mark Bresciano, their Australian midfielder, has left the club and plans to join the Qatari side Al Gharafa.
The 32 year old topped the club scoring charts last season as they finished second in the Pro League behind Al Ain, but reports in the media say Bresciano has left Nasr's pre-season camp and is in Doha to negotiate a deal with Gharafa.
He has, according to Al Khaleej, the Arabic daily, informed Walter Zenga, the Nasr coach, about his decision to leave and terminate his contract with Nasr. But Nasr are determined to hold the player to the final year of his contract.
"Mark Bresciano's contract with Al Nasr is valid for another season and the football company has not received any requests from any clubs asking for the services of the player," Arif Abbas, the director of football at Nasr, said. "The clubs and players are bound by contracts governed by the regulations of the UAE Football Association and Fifa, and these contracts shape the relationship between the club and the player."
Reports of Bresciano pressing for a move have been circling since the end of the season. Last month, reports claimed the player's representitives sent a notice to the club seeking the termination of their contract and the player's willingness to pay the penalty clause, a reported US$1.36 million (Dh4.9m).
Elsewhere, the Egyptian club Zamalek have reportedly accepted Al Wasl's improved offer for midfielder Mahmoud Abdel Razek "Shikabala" and the two clubs are working to formalise the loan deal.
Wasl had initially offered $800,000 for Shikabala, who has been out of favour at the club since his clash with then Zamalek coach Hassan Shehata following a substitution at a game earlier this year. The Egyptians turned down Wasl's offer on Friday and asked them to come up with an improved bid.
"Zamalek have asked Al Wasl to up their bid," Ibrahim Youssef, a member of the Zamalek board, was quoted as saying on the club's website. "We have set a $1.5 million as price tag to loan out Shikabala for one season."
Sharjah, meanwhile, have signed a two-year deal with Moussa Narry from Le Mans. Sharjah's new coach, Faouzi Benzarti, has convinced the Ghanaian international, 26, was playing at the French club to move to the Emirates and help the team's bid for a return to the Pro League.
Sharjah finished bottom of the league last season, but have a chance of returning to the top division when they meet Al Shaab, Al Dhafra and Emirates in the play-offs in September. The Pro League has been increased to 14 teams and two teams from these play-offs will be promoted.
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Director: Stephen Gaghan
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen
One-and-a-half out of five stars
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.
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Sector: Technology, digital marketing and e-commerce
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Revenue: On track to make Dh100 million in revenue this year since its 2015 launch
Funding: Self-funded to date
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Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
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How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
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Club of the Century, 2001-2020: Al Ahly (Egypt), Bayern Munich (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), Real Madrid (Spain)
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Club of the Year: Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Real Madrid
Coach of the Year: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta), Hans-Dieter Flick (Bayern Munich), Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Agent of the Century, 2001-2020: Giovanni Branchini, Jorge Mendes, Mino Raiola
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Ross Barkley 64'
Liverpool 0