UAE Football Association to cut salaries of players and coaches

The UAE Football Association has authorised professional clubs to temporarily reduce the salaries of coaches and players by up to 40 per cent, provided that they will not be paid less less than Dhs15,000 after the deduction, reported official news agency WAM.

As for the UAE First Division League, clubs are permitted to deduct a maximum of 40 per cent provided the monthly salary of the players and coaches is not be less than Dhs10,000 after the deduction.

The association had on Sunday decided to extend the suspension of football activities in the country until further notice as a precautionary measure against the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that the decision was applicable to all competitions organised by the UAE Football Association, the UAE Pro League, activities of National Teams, the women’s football committees, Futsal, private academies and others.

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The decision permitting the reduction in salaries was announced by Mohamed Abdullah Hazzam Al Dhaheri, secretary-general of the UAE Football Association, following a virtual meeting with the board members of the football association.

The sports body issued an updated decision extending player contracts and moving transfer windows to the beginning of the next season.

Therefore, player contracts which are expiring will be extended beyond the end of June, in conformity with FIFA’s new guidelines.

Also, transfer deals due to be completed this summer will be delayed until the next season begins.

Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi who was present during the virtual meeting said that the health and safety of the players and community members is of paramount importance.