‘Safety top priority’ as 2020-21 football season set for take-off

The 2020-21 football season is set to kick off with the Arabian Gulf Cup coming Thursday, while the Arabian Gulf League will start on Oct.16, as action returns to stadiums after a long hiatus due to the precautionary measures to limit the spread of Covid-19.

The season will start after coordination with the relevant authorities and the announcement of matchday protocol, which includes instructions to all players, clubs, media, partners and others.

In this regard, UAE Pro League CEO Waleed Al Hosani, said, “We are happy with the start of the new football season, and it is an occasion in which we express our pride and loyalty to our wise leadership who provided all the tools to combat the Coronavirus pandemic.

We thank our first line of defence for their sacrifices and efforts to ensure the health and safety of everyone. We also laud the competent authorities for the continuous and fruitful coordination to ensure the return of sporting activity.

Hosani added, “We commend the support of the UAE Football Association and the professional clubs to the UAE Pro League.”

The UAE Pro League CEO said, “We are looking forward to an exciting season, but the safety of the players and workers is a priority for us, so we call on everyone to abide by the matchday protocol requirements and call on the fans to continue supporting their clubs and players. The fans are an important part of the game, but the current circumstances require playing games behind closed doors to ensure their safety and limit the spread of Coronavirus.”

Chairman of the Sharjah Football Club Abdullah Al Ajla confirmed the club’s readiness for the new season. The defending league champions play their first match away from home on Oct.16 against Fujairah.

Ajla also referred to the great experience gained by match organisers, administrative and technical teams and players at the club when it comes to applying the precautionary measures according to the protocol issued by the UAE Football Association and the UAE Pro League.

This comes after the club organised a friendly tournament that saw the participation of four clubs that was praised by officials in terms of implementing the health and safety precautions. The team then participated in the AFC Champions League, where they haven’t faced any problems in terms of implementing the matchday protocol issued by the AFC.

Meanwhile, chairman of Al Wahda Football Company Rashid Al Zaabi affirmed that Al Wahda are always looking to fight for all the titles to please the club’s fans. He added: “the players are focused and want to achieve our goals, while being aware of the challenges that will face us in the new season.”

Zaabi explained that the team’s preparations are going well under the leadership of Serbian coach Vuk Rašović. Prior to the start of the competitions, the chairman of Al Wahda Football Company said he hopes everyone abides by the precautionary measures to combat the Coronavirus, while pointing out that it’s a matter of national responsibility to all members of the society, especially after the country’s efforts to combat the pandemic.

In the same context, board member of the other participating clubs praised the role played by the UAE Football Association and the UAE Pro League in making the stadiums safe places.

Board member of Al Wasl Football Company Humaid Yousef confirmed that the team is ready to start the new season, after a special preparation program that started in July, that prepared the players to play again after a five-month hiatus due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus. He pointed out that Al Wasl played six friendly matches with local teams in preparation for the new season, which will start with a clash with Al Wahda in the Arabian Gulf Cup, and a match against Bani Yas in the league.

Acting CEO of the Al Jazira Club Group Ali Yousef Al Hammadi said, “the past period was difficult for the football sector, but we are happy that we overcame these difficulties and that the football activity will return in our country, and we are also happy that the club’s first team will officially start the new season this weekend.”

The Arabian Gulf League saw Shabab Al Ahli Dubai second on 53 points, while Al Ain ended in third place with 46 points. Sharjah helped themselves to a sixth league title following an unbeaten streak of 24 matches and just one loss while collecting 56 points