UAE FA signs bilateral agreement with Israel Football Federation

The President of the Dubai International Marine Club, Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid, left, meets with Fifa President Gianni Infantino in Dubai. The UAE Football Association said Saturday it would sign a memorandum of understanding with the Israeli Football Association in Dubai. The move comes after Israel established ties with the United Arab Emirates, signing an accord along with Bahrain in Washington in September. AFP

Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid and Fifa President Gianni Infantino in Dubai. AFP

Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid and Fifa President Gianni Infantino in Dubai. AFP

Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid, right, and Fifa President Gianni Infantino in Dubai. AFP

FIFA President Gianni Infantino gestures during a meeting in Dubai. AFP

Israeli Football Association (IFA) president Oren Hasson, second left, receives a gift from UAE Football Association President Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid, during the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two associations in Dubai. AFP

An Emirati man walks past a sign welcoming guests. AFP

FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks during the signing ceremony. AFP

UAE Football Association (UAEFA) president Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid. AFP

FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks during the signing ceremony. AFP

UAE Football Association president Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid. AFP

Israeli Football Association (IFA) president Oren Hasson and UAE Football Association (UAEFA) president Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid shake hands. AFP

Israeli Football Association (IFA) president Oren Hasson, left, Fifa president Gianni Infantino, and UAE Football Association (UAEFA) president Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid. AFP

Emiratis chat ahead of a ceremony for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the UAE and the Israeli football associations in Dubai. AFP

Oren Hasson, president of the Israel Football Federation pronounced an agreement signed with its UAE counterpart on Monday to establish closer cooperation between the two associations as a “dream turned into reality”.

Signed in the presence of the Fifa president Gianni Infantino at the FA headquarters in Dubai, the Memorandum of Understanding also saw a commitment from both sides to arrange friendly matches between its respective clubs and host joint technical and administration workshops.

Hasson said: “We are happy with the step and I invite you all to visit Tel Aviv to build strong relationships and to teach future generations that football unites people.”

This agreement comes after Israel established ties with the UAE, signing an accord along with Bahrain in Washington in September.

Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid, president of the UAE FA, described the agreement as an important step to strengthen the relationship with Israel and all countries of the world.

“We are happy to sign the bilateral agreement with the Israel Federation,” he said.

“I feel optimistic about the success of the agreement and I thank Fifa for their support and role on this MOU.

“Football is the language of peace, tolerance and love. This is what we want to say to the world. We will work with the Israel FA to make this agreement a success.”

The news comes just over a month after the UAE Pro League signed a similar agreement with the Israel Professional Football League to strengthen ties.