Just over a week ago we witnessed the much anticipated kick-off of the 2020 K League season.
While all matches were played behind closed doors, the significance of it lies in the fact that South Korea was the first among the larger footballing nations to have launched league football after the COVID-19 pandemic had resulted in a complete shutdown of any football activity across most, if not all nations.
The opener between Jeonbuk Hyundai and Suwon Bluewings at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium drew in approximately 3.4 million views on Twitter from a football deprived community.
Germany followed suit last weekend with the resumption of the Bundesliga. As the global sports community awaits the results of how one of the top five leagues successfully navigates through match day after match day, questions remain on the feasibility of live matches given the systematic ups and downs of the curve in relation to the pandemic.
Closer to home in West Asia, while there are no reported cases of footballers being inflicted with the virus, regional fans are on edge when it comes to leagues coming back into play.
While the football federations of both Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) have set an August deadline for a comeback, if the situation improves, while Qatar this week announced a resumption of its league in late July.
However, pushing the league further down the year only results in additional challenges affecting the launch of following season, player contracts and so on.
We were fortunate enough to speak with Mr. Waleed Al Hosani, Chief Executive Officer at the Arabian Pro League, the entity responsible for the UAE’s Arabian Gulf League, who was kind enough to take some time to answer a few questions.
Q: Given the conversation taking place around contracts of certain players ending in June across the globe, how is the AGL planning to approach soon to be ending contracts?
A: We are currently coordinating with the concerned departments within the UAE Football Associations as the entity in charge of player’s contracts. There is continued coordination to ensure clubs can overcome these challenges should the season be resumed in August. Furthermore the UAEFA conducted a workshop with all club’s legal representatives to guide them on the coming procedures.
Q: Do you think we could see the extension of the league into the summer and possibly beyond summer and post August/September time period?
A: The UAE Pro League is continuously following up with the UAE authorities about the latest health updates on COVID-19 and the efforts being put to ensure the safety of everyone in our society. After evaluating the situation with the authorities, the Pro League in coordination with the UAEFA has decided that its competitions shall resume in August. Several scenarios have been prepared by our Technical Committee on whether we decided to resume the competition or cancel. This is a provisional decision conditional on the continued reassessment of the situation and coordination with the authorities as well as FIFA and the AFC, and taking into consideration the health situation in the UAE at the time. The Pro League will confirm the relevant regulations and mechanisms in due course, allowing clubs ample time to prepare.
Q: While majority of the clubs are being financially hurt due to the crisis, do you think the UAE PL and its affiliates (clubs) are going to face similar financial challenges? Are there any remedies set in place to have minimal damage?
A: All leagues around the world are suffering an impact, but to varying degrees. Nevertheless, the UAEFA has taken measures to support clubs facing the current crisis. Clubs have been granted the right to cut contracts of local players by up to 40% and negotiate a suitable percentage of reduction with foreign players, taking into consideration the fact different clubs are in different financial situations.
Q: While it certainly depends on the Ministry of Health, do you think if they grant permission to play behind closed doors, would that be something of consideration?
A: Of course, this is something that has been taken into consideration and there is top level coordination between the Pro League, the UAEFA and the authorities in this regard. We have already been there with match weeks 18 and 19 being played behind closed doors. However let us pray and hope that the condition will be safe to open doors to the fans at that time, because playing without a fans is an unpleasant experience in my opinion.
Q: What are your top concerns for the health of the game across the country based on current crisis?
A: The health and safety of everyone involved in the game is our top priority. This is why we are always coordinating with the country’s authorities. It is also why we always look to play our role by using our digital platforms to raise awareness of the importance of following the necessary preventative and protective measures.
Finally, as to what keeps him going during these uncertain times? Mr. Al-Hosani is full of optimism with a keen belief on a positive life after the pandemic.
“Al Hamdulelah with Allah’s protection and then the guidance and support of our wise Leadership we are not concerned but determined to overcome this pandemic crisis.”
Photo: Arabian Gulf League
Listen to our State of the Game feature episode as we explore how Asian football survives the COVID-19 pandemic with Thai League deputy CEO Benjamin Tan and Saudi Arabia FF general secretary Ibrahim Alkassim
