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Excerpts from Saeed Abdul Ghaffar‘s interview with Al Khaleej newspaper

HE Saeed Abdul Ghaffar, Vice Chairman of the Football Association, Chairman of the Professional League Committee extended his thanks and gratitude to HH Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Honorary Chairman of the UAE Football Association for the confidence accorded to him after being appointed as Chairman of the Professional League Committee. He also thanked HE Mohammad Khalfan Al Rumaithi, President of the Football Association for his support and trust, Hamad Bin Brook and Dr. Tariq Al Tayer, the former Presidents of the Pro-League Committee for what they have done in the last period in order to raise the level of the UAE football, noting that his love to the country pushed him to respond with the appeal. This came in an interview conducted by Al Khaleej Arabic newspaper, and published today, Wednesday.
Abdul Ghaffar spoke in the interview about the period after he was appointed as President of the Professional League Committee, noting that the decision to cancel the league made the sports arena to ask whether it will come to work again, or the professional league committee will continue its work under the umbrella of the Federation. He said that the Committee will continue its work under the umbrella of the Football Association, but independent in financial and marketing issues." elections will be held next year and the selection of members will be subject to the decision taken by the General Assembly" he said.    

The President of the Professional League Committee spoke on the work entrusted to the committee such as the organization and development of the League Competition, care of the affairs and interests of the clubs with independency in administrative aspects, indicating that the Football Association is the sole reference as it is the official body recognized by the Asian and International Federations.

Abdul Ghaffar assured that the competitions organized by the Committee, will continue without any changes except for the reserve league, which they will seek to develop along the lines of what is happening in the rest of the tournaments organized by the committee like the League, Etisalat Cup and Super Cup Competitions.

Speaking on the availability of solutions for the problem of fans attendance, he stressed that the committee will not stand apart; a working team was formed to visit social clubs like Egyptian and Sudanese communities, as well as turning the games to festivals through organizing a number of associated events, and the provision of stands for selling food and beverages.

He said: "the fourth edition of the professional league this season will be in a new style. We brought digital screens that increased the beauty of the image, and there is continuous work and development in order to overcome any problems. We have seriousness and willingness to provide the best."

Abdul Ghaffar assured that the league will not stop for long periods, especially after the decision of His Highness Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Honorary Chairman of the UAE Football Association, which facilitated things and solved the problem.

Commenting on the fourth Asian professional player in each team, Abdul Ghaffar said that he is supportive of this decision  especially the outcome will be positive, which will increase the power of the professional league.

Regarding the issue with Life company, for which a court ruling was issued in its favor to fine the League Committee 36 million dirhams, Abdul Ghaffar explained that the debt was settled after a meeting with the officials of the company which deducted 10% of the amount of the fine issued, and the Professional League Committee will pay the remaining amount in installments over 5 years.

He also noted, that the AFC Professionalism Committee will visit the country on October 4th, to inspect the professional clubs to make sure that they meet the criteria and conditions set before. He also confirmed the readiness of those clubs for the visit and their permanent coordination with the Professional League Committee, assuring that the inspection will make progress in the standings of the clubs that apply professionalism at the level of the continent.

The chairman of the Professional League Committee disclosed that the fine which was decided by the AFC "Asian Football Confederation"  against Sharjah club due to withdrawal from the AFC Champions League, have been paid by the previous administration of the Pro- League Committee. He pointed out that Sharjah Club should bear the fine, as it was agreed at that time that the Pro- League Committee should pay the fine and the amount should be deducted from the dues of Sharjah Club's profits. The amount was deducted last season and still there is a limited amount which will be deducted later.

Abdul Ghaffar declared that the Professional League Committee is currently conducting a study considering a ceiling prices for local and foreign players to control high contracts signed in the past three years. He stressed that prices must be reasonable, especially at the beginning stage, and what does not make the player is the sole beneficiary in the whole Professionalism system, noting that the study will be completed before the end of the current season in coordination and consultation with the professional clubs.