Police warn fans against holding rallies

Dubai/Ajman: Police officials have warned football fans that today's celebrations if the UAE wins the Gulf Cup should be civilised or offenders will have to face the music.

Fans of the UAE team resorted to long rallies, honking and road stunts as they celebrated the team's victory over Saudi Arabia on Saturday. The UAE team qualified for the finals of the 18th Gulf Cup with the victory.

Dubai Police have cautioned motorists against holding random rallies and blocking the roads.

Brigadier Eisa Aman, Acting Director of Dubai Police's Traffic Department, said there must be a prior coordination to organise a rally after a football match.

He warned that police will fine motorists who start random rallies and cause chaos on the roads without prior coordination or permission and so far the department has not received any formal orders of a rally if the UAE team wins today's Gulf Cup match.

It was learnt that UAE team fans in Ajman went into frenzy last Saturday after the match by jumping red signals, driving against traffic and doing road stunts in the middle of the road. Lieutenant Colonel Saeed Humaid Nasir, Director of Police Stations' Department in Ajman, urged the fans, Emiratis and expatriates, to stick to traffic rules.

"We arrested the reckless drivers and seized their cars because what happened that day caused chaos, accidents and was not a reflection of happiness," he said.

Lt Col Nasir pointed out that an organised rally guarded by police will start from Ajman Corniche and police will be strict with offenders.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) appealed to football fans to express their happiness in a civilised way that suits the good reputation the UAE people enjoy and avoid any acts that may be harmful to the public or endanger their lives.