Sharjah: Supreme Council member and ruler of Sharjah Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. He added that action will be taken by the end of this month against clubs that do not promote Emaratis. Sheikh Sultan clarified the policy in a live radio program. Sultan’s remarks came when the UAE team was eliminated in the first round of the Arabian Gulf Cup in Iraq.
He recalled the 1990 World Cup in which UAE qualified and pointed out that he scored a goal against Germany in this World Cup. The UAE team could not find good results in the recent tournaments. Even if the results are not available immediately, the clubs should be ready to involve more players. The government spends 50 million dirhams on clubs. They have requested to raise it. Whatever the outcome, I want to see our kids playing at these clubs.
Financial support will continue if our children are in clubs. Otherwise, it will end by the end of this month. Due to the large number of foreign players in the teams, local players do not get a chance. Football experts should evaluate the performance of the team in the previous matches and give an answer. Sheikh Sultan also expressed hope that we can find better results if we raise our children.
Last year, the number of foreign players in the UAE Pro League was increased from four to five. Such steps are taking away the opportunity of the players. Former UAE coach Eid Barut said that it is necessary to develop more Emirati players for the national team. He also warned that if we continue at this level, after five years, there will not even be a national team.
Sheikh Sultan’s statement is receiving huge acceptance from Emiratis on social media. The UAE team was eliminated from the Arabian Gulf Cup without winning a single match. After losing to Bahrain and Kuwait in the first round, the UAE drew against Qatar in the final match.
