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Dubai: UAE football entered a new era with the signing of an agreement to implement a professional league (PL) for the season 2008-2009.
"Al Ain, Al Wahda, Al Jazira, Al Nasr, Al Ahli, Al Shabab, Al Wasl and Sharjah are the clubs who will be capable of playing in the PL starting from next season after they implemented all the Asian Football Confederation Professional League Committee's (AFCPLC) requirements," said Mohammad Ebrahim Al Mahmoud, the UAE Professional League Committee (UAEPLC) deputy chairman.
"The other four clubs to complete the number to 12, will be named on June 1 as long as they implement the AFCPLC requirements. We have nine clubs, Al Shaab, Emirates, Dubai, Al Dhafra, Hatta, Bani Yas, Al Khaleej, Al Ittihad and Ajman, and four of them will be named to play in the PL."
'Very happy'
The agreement was signed by Mohammad Khalfan Al Rumaithi, the UAE Football Association board of directors chairman, and Hamad Bin Brook, the UAEPLC chairman, at the FA premises in Dubai yesterday.
"April 22 is a historic day in UAE soccer because of the signing of the professional league agreement between the UAE FA and the PLC," said Tokuaki Suzuki, chairman of the AFCPLC, in a press conference.
"We have visited 17 Asian countries who will be capable of implementing the professional league, and will be able to play in the new Asian Champions League starting in 2009. We will announce the names of these countries on May 20.
"I am very happy with the fast improvements made by the UAE during the last year.
"The UAE has become a good example for Asian countries in implementing the professional league. I can say the future is bright for UAE soccer.
"There are 10 major criteria for clubs to play in the professional league and most of the UAE clubs are conforming with the AFCPLC criteria. That makes me happy."
Suzuki also handed out advice on how to make the UAE PL one of the strongest in Asia.
"New styles will attract more supporters to attend the matches and that is important," he said.
"All clubs must change to become commercial establishments, and marketing is also very important for the professional league. Main sponsors and TV rights, all are major factors to developing the professional league," he added.
Mohammad Khalfan Al Rumaithi, the FA board chairman, said the organisation would play its usual role in UAE soccer.
"It's true the UAEPLC will be responsible for the PL, but the FA have the President's Cup, Second Division League and youth tournaments, in addition to the national team commitments."
THE PROS AND CONS
- The UAE Professional League Committee (UAEPLC) will be formed on May 17 and the 12 clubs who will play in the PL will form its general assembly.
- The salient features of the agreement signed yesterday are: a) The professional league will be a major football tournament in the UAE. b) The reserve bench of each of these clubs in the professional league will take part in the reserve league. c) A League Cup for the professional league clubs can be organised as long as it does not conflict with the UAE national team's commitments and it's schedule must be approved by the technical committee of the FA and the UAEPLC. d) The PLC will also organise the Super Cup between the PL champions and the President's Cup champions. The PLC must release the players from their clubs to join the national team at least five days before the official matches and three days before the friendlies.
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