DUBAI // Al Shaab and Khaleej, the two clubs relegated from the Pro League, have asked for the top flight to be expanded to 14 teams so they can stay in it. The UAE Football League's vice chairman Mohammed al Mahmoud said the proposal - made at the league's general assembly in Dubai on Thursday night - is being considered and a decision is likely to be made quickly. "We will look at the request from all aspects: organisational, technical, marketing and financial," he said.
"The most important thing on this issue is the view of the FA: they have the right to say yes or no. "We have to make these decisions as soon as possible because we have to announce the fixtures on July 2. So I think we will have a decision within the next week." The Pro League have approved the distribution of Dh84million to clubs based on their finishing positions last season. "The UFL received seven per cent of the gross operative revenues, which is Dh7.7million," said al Mahmoud.
"The remaining Dh84million will be distributed among the clubs. Halfwill be divided equally among the clubs. From the remaining half, 72 per cent will be distributed among the clubs on the basis of their finish in the Pro League, 13 per cent will be shared by the four semi-finalists of the Etisalat Cup. 10 per cent will be distributed among the four Challenge League semi-finalists and five per cent will go to the two that played in the Super Cup.
"These are significant amounts for the clubs. "This is a new experience and it shows that the more you achieve the more money you get." arizvi@thenational.ae
