Dubai:  The UAE Professional League Committee (PLC) decided in its last meeting, chaired by Hamad Brook, that March 27 will be the deadline for the six clubs to send their weekly reports to the Asian Football Confederation Professional League Committee (AFC PLC) should the clubs want to take part in the professional league next season.

"The six clubs are: Al Wasl, Al Shabab, Al Dhafra, Emirates Club, Ajman and Dubai Club," said Mohammad Al Mahmoud, the UAE professional league committee deputy chairman.

"The other 11 clubs have sent their weekly reports without any delay and we are happy with their positive reaction. But we will not accept any report coming in after March 27 and we will not accept any excuses," he added.

Al Mahmoud said the PLC will hold its next meeting on Saturday to discuss the clubs' reports, before announcing the names of the 12 clubs who will take part in the first UAE professional league next season.

Upbeat

"Al Ain are the only perfect club who implemented all the PLC requirements. The other clubs are lacking in some of the facilities. We hope they will finish it as soon as possible. I am sure the AFC PLC will be satisfied when they visit our clubs again."

Al Mahmoud said the UAE PLC will not accept any delay to start the professional league next season.

"We have to decide the 12 clubs early because we are bound by a deadline, set by the AFC who will decide in May on the countries that are capable of starting the professional league and participating in the Asian Champions League next season.

Al Mahmoud said there was no conflict between the PLC and the UAE FA. "We are working together for the same purpose - to start the professional league, which will contribute towards developing the standard of UAE soccer," he said.

Al Ain are the only perfect club who implemented all the PLC requirements. The other clubs are lacking in some of the facilities. We hope they will finish it as soon as possible."

Mohammad Al Mahmoud
UAE professional league committee deputy chairman