These include changes in the contest format and "strict" precautionary measures.
The new season kicks off with the largest change movement since the application of "professionalism"
Intensive preparations by clubs for the start of the season within days ... and the picture is from a friendly meeting with Kalba and Khor Fakkan. Photography: Osama Abu Ghanem
The new season, scheduled to start at the end of this week, witnesses many technical, administrative and medical changes, as well as financial incentives within the framework of the Professional League’s endeavors to develop all the competitions that it supervises organizing. Corona ».
Many decisions have emerged in the past weeks, in light of the results of the meetings between the League and the clubs, which were approved by the General Assembly on the 13th of this month, and they were confirmed during the workshops that were held over three days last week, and were attended by representatives of the clubs and workers in the matches.
"Emirates Today" sheds light on the most prominent changes that will be witnessed in the new season, as the list of the Arab Gulf League competition witnessed several amendments, most notably allowing clubs to switch five players during the match based on the temporary amendment to the law of the game, which was authorized by the International Federation for the 2020-2021 season. That substitutions are made in three chances for each team during the match to avoid frequent interruptions, and it may also be made during a break between the two halves.
The format of the Arabian Gulf Cup has been changed from the two-group system to the knockout system in the home and away matches from the first round until the semi-finals, with the final being held in one match at a neutral stadium.
The amendments to the list of the Arab Gulf Cup competition included the mandatory registration of three Emirati players born in 1997 and above in the match list, instead of five players, with the abolition of the clause related to the participation of three of them from the start of the match.
New amendments were made to the Arab Gulf League U-21, which included allowing goalkeepers registered in the first-team list, players born in 1998 and above, who hold Emirati nationality, and players from the category of births and residents born in 2000 and over, provided that they do not exceed The number of participants from these groups is three players.
The new season stresses the precautionary measures that will be followed during the matches, to protect the players and the technical and administrative apparatus, and at the forefront of those measures is mandatory showing evidence of a negative result for the examination of "Covid-19", which does not exceed a maximum of one week from the day of the match.
The protocol included the wearing of medical or three-layer cloth masks for all persons on the field, including coaches and substitute players, except for the players participating in the warm-up and the match and the arena referees.
The temperature must be checked for all on the stadium, with no entry allowed in any person with a temperature of 37.5 ° C or higher.
The presence of accompanying children, the traditional handshake between the players of the two teams and the group photos, and the exchange of shirts between the players will be canceled, and in the event that any positive case appears, the match will not be postponed, unless the competent authorities decide to completely isolate the team, and cancel the event accompanying the matches in accordance with the procedures of the entity Health and contact tracing.
Compulsory prohibitions
The season will start without the audience attending, with the situation being studied up-to-date, and the directions of the concerned authorities on the return of the fans are followed. And requiring everyone to maintain a distance of two meters between those sitting on the bench, while using the fans' seats located behind the bench. And canceling the television interviews before the match, and not filming the dressing rooms at any time.
It was decided to cancel the activities of the mixed zone, with the exception of the channels that own the rights, and to limit the work of journalists in matches to attending press conferences only.
Financial incentives
The new season returns with possible changes to the mechanism for distributing financial rewards, and it is expected that they will be announced this week to support and motivate clubs to increase audience attendance and to achieve positive results in Asian participations.
The first proposal included a fixed prize for the top three in the league championship, and incentive prizes that include public attendance and Asian participation, in addition to distributing 35% equally to all clubs, and 65% according to arrangement in professional tournaments, with the exception of the Arabian Super Gulf Cup, whose prize is considered Fixed one million dirhams for the champion and 500 thousand for the runner-up.
As for the second proposal, it includes motivational prizes, including public attendance and Asian participation, in addition to distributing 35% equally to all clubs, and 65% according to order in professional tournaments, with the exception of the Arabian Super Gulf Cup, whose prize is fixed at one million dirhams for the champion and 500 thousand for the runners-up.
The most prominent variables:
Allow five substitutions instead of three.
Changing the form of the Arabian Gulf Cup, and mandatory registration of three players
Emiratis born in 1997 are on the list.
Changes to the list of registered players in the U-21 League.
- Test "Covid-19", provided that its validity does not exceed one week from the day of the match.
Numerous precautionary measures such as temperature checks, sterilization,
Banning group photos.
Season kicks off without attending
The audience, with an examination of the situation later.
Cancellation of television interviews before the match,
And not to photograph the dressing rooms at any time.
- Everyone must keep a distance of two meters
Between those sitting on the bench.
Cancellation of mixed zone activities, with the exception of rights-holding channels.
Journalists' work is restricted to attending press conferences only.
Possible changes to the mechanism of distributing financial rewards, which are expected to be announced this week to support clubs.