UAE and Israel show sporting spirit on the rugby field - in pictures

Friendly sevens fixture at Dubai Sports City on Friday

Players of Israel, blue, and UAE after a friendly rugby match in Dubai on Friday, March 19. The Israeli team travelled to the country for a joint training camp with the UAE national squad and their first ever rugby match. EPA

Players of UAE and Israel shake hands after their friendly rugby match in Dubai. EPA

UAE and Israel began their sporting ties with a friendly match of rugby in Dubai on Friday. EPA

UAE and Israel players prior to their friendly match at Dubai Sports City. EPA

UAE and Israel teams first played a friendly. Players were then mixed together to form two teams, Israel-UAE Blues and Israel-UAE Whites. AP

Players enter the pitch before the friendly rugby match between UAE and Israel in Dubai. EPA

Israel player Gal Aviram receives the Abraham Accord Friendship Cup trophy from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, chairman of the UAE Rugby Federation. EPA

UAE and Israel players during their friendly at Dubai Sports City. Reuters

UAE and Israel players embrace after their match in Dubai on Friday. Reuters

UAE and Israel players with the Abraham Accord Friendship Cup trophy. Reuters

Rugby sides from the UAE and Israel met on the field for the first time on Friday.

The two sides played a friendly sevens fixture at Dubai Sports City. The two sets of players were then mixed together to form two teams, Israel-UAE Blues and Israel-UAE Whites.

Ahead of the game, Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin addressed the two sides in a video message saying “shalom and salaam”.

“This initiative, a joint rugby training camp, is a wonderful expression of the new spirit of people to people peace, following the historic Abraham Accords,” he said.

“While leaders may sign agreements, true peace requires people on both sides to build bonds of friendship and cooperation in every arena.

“A game like rugby is an excellent way to build bridges across cultures, religions and nationalities. Congratulations on this groundbreaking initiative.”