One-month deadline set to form UFL committee

Dubai: The UAE Football Association (UAE FA) has set a one-month deadline for the formation of a new committee that will replace the disbanded UAE Football League (UFL).

A statement on their official website said: "The UFL received official notification today from the General Authority of Youth & Sports Welfare (GAYSW) that the organisation will be disbanded due to a violation over its official name.

"The notification advised that the UAE FA Board of Directors will assume responsibility of the League's rights and obligations towards the UAE's professional clubs for a one-month transitory period."

The action, according to the buzz in footballing circles, came in response to an interview appearing in Arabic newspaper Al Bayan of Dr Tarek Al Tayer, the UFL chairman, where he lashed out at the functioning of the governing body for football in the UAE, calling it "a coffee shop".

Investment

Speaking to Gulf News on conditions of anonymity, a senior UAE FA official countered the UFL allegations by stating that the professional body failed to take adequate steps in ushering the professional mindset in UAE football. "The primary job of the UFL was to seek investment in football and assure the development of football through the various national squads. But what have they done?" the official asked.

Looking back, the UAE FA official said: "I think we started off with the professionalism aspect too quickly, and the UFL did not have prior experience to go ahead. And now we feel the need to break down this building and start the process all over again."

Hitting back, Dr Al Tayer told the newspaper: "We don't need the UAE FA to decide how good a job we've done.

Increased attendance

"We've increased attendances to almost 29 per cent this season thanks to the efforts of all the clubs. We are satisfying AFC requirements. If you listen to the clubs, they will all be in agreement at how good a job the UFL has done to date. From TV and sponsorship revenue, we have raised the income of the league to Dh140 million next season. We are the first professional sporting body this country can be proud of," he said.

Referring to his interview which caused the furore, Dr Al Tayer said: "I'm transparent and hence I spoke out. I voiced an opinion because I know exactly how it's done in the field and exactly what's going on. The FA is not exposed to the running's of the J-League (in Japan) and EPL (English Premiership) as we are."