Organisers ponder when to restart 2019/20 Arabian Gulf League season

Ahmed Barman, left, of Al Ain shadows Al Jazira's Omar Abdulrahman during the Arabian Gulf League football match at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National

The match was played in front of empty stands after the FA ordered all UAE matches to be played behind closed doors.

Al Ain, in purple, in action against hosts Al Jazira.

Al Ain's Laba Kodjo.

Al Ain's Caio Canedo, right, shields the ball from Al Jazira's Omar Abdulrahman.

Ahmed Barman of Al Ain, left, in action against Al Jazira's Omar Abdulrahman.

Mohamed Abdulrahman, of Al Ain, passes the ball.

Organisers of the Arabian Gulf League have resolved to make a decision on the suspended 2019/20 season by the end of the month, with a cancellation of the campaign unlikely.

The UAE top flight was postponed on March 15 to help limit the spread of the coronavirus, part of a wide-range of measures implemented by the Football Association in line with government recommendations. The league was 19 rounds into the season.

Thus far, no date for resumption has been confirmed, as the UAE Pro League, who organise the Arabian Gulf League (AGL), assess a number of options. It is understood that mid-May would be the earliest for a restart, or that the outstanding matches could run throughout June, should that be deemed feasible. There also remains the possibility of not beginning again until August.

With 19 rounds complete, there are still seven match days left to play. At present, Shabab Al Ahli Dubai sit top, six points ahead of second-placed Al Ain. At the other end of the table, Fujairah and Hatta occupy the relegation spots, although they lie only three and two points, respectively, from safety.

On Sunday, the FA announced an extension to the suspension of all competition that falls under its auspices “until further notice”, a provision that covers the AGL. The governing body said it would continue to “evaluate and review” the situation.

That said, a decision on whenever the AGL resumes will be taken only after consultation with the relevant authorities, with the safety of everyone impacted a priority.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed the postponement of all matches and competitions scheduled to take place in May and June, until further notice.

The decision includes the remainder of group matches in the Asian Champions League, its premier club competition, which had originally been suspended after Matchday 2. The UAE have four representatives in the Champions League: UAE champions Sharjah, Shabab Al Ahli, Al Ain and Al Wahda.

An AFC statement read: “As one of the first confederations in world football to undertake precautionary measures in light of the Covid-19 outbreak, the latest decision reinforces the AFC’s commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of players, participating teams, officials, fans and all stakeholders.

“The AFC has been closely monitoring the Covid-19 pandemic and had earlier postponed its matches in March and April after holding a series of emergency meetings in Delhi, Doha, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur.

“The AFC will also continue to engage and consult with the participating member associations in the AFC Club Competitions and will explore all possible options in order to complete the 2020 AFC Champions League and AFC Cup Group Stages.”