UAE withdraw from Arab Cup

Abu Dhabi: The UAE FA yesterday decided to withdraw from the Arab Cup which will run from June 22 to July 7 in Saudi Arabia.

The decision was taken after injuries prevented several players from joining a senior team already left short because of the country's participation in the Olympics at Under-23 level and the Asian Youth competition at under-22.

Different reasons have prevented a further eight players from joining the team's training camp which started two days ado in Dubai.

Caretaker coach Dr Abdullah Misfir had invited eight new players to take take their places, but the decision was taken yesterday to withdraw following a meeting of the FA's technical committee, headed by Obaid Al Shamsi, vice-chairman of the board of directors.

Decision

"We regret our decision to withdraw but we are forced to take such a decision because many reasons prevented the team from our best players and we wanted a team which can honourably represent the country," Al Shamsi said.

The decision means the end of Misfir's role with the team which started last year following the sacking of former coach Srecko Katanec due to poor performances in the World Cup qualifiers.