Unacceptable Practices Are Utterly Intolerable in our League.. Hammad: Contracting with Khalil is a Significant Addition to Al Ain’s Strike Force
H.E. Mohammed Obaid Hammad, Member of Board of Directors of Al Ain Football Cub Company and Supervisor of the Football First and Reserve Teams, described the conclusion of the contract with the “international” striker Ahmed Khalil as a great news. He underscored the new player’s ability to be of an added value to the team’s squad.
“We have full confidence in Al Ain players’ ability to realize the ambitions of the leaders of this lofty sport entity as a genuine translation of their highnesses the Sheikhs’ generous and constant support and care that the club has been enjoying, as well as making the loyal and great Ainawi fans happy,” said he.
Hammad added: “When Ahmed Khalil’s name was selected to join the team, responses of the Head Coach and members of the committee tasked to approve players’ registration were positive as Khalil is one of the few strikers who enjoy the ability to make the difference not only at the level of UAE but also at the Arab and Asian levels.” He stated: “All football clubs wish to have a player with the value and skills of Al Ain new “international” striker.”
“Khalil will not be a stranger to Al Ain for the majority of his teammates are “international” players. Actually, Khalil played with them for many years and their relationship inside and outside the pitch is so solid. I do wish him and his teammates all the success in accomplishing the desired goals this season.”
Commenting on a question on the secret for being late in concluding this resounding deal until the last minute of the transfer window, he said: “The mechanism of contracting and dispensing players sometimes require a lot of patience and not to take hasty decisions.” He pointed out: “To have a successful deal, the two clubs should have mutual agreement, the player himself is another factor and sometimes negotiations are subject to factors of comparison taking in consideration several perspectives, particularly if the players nominated by the coach have the same technical value. Here the financial issues related to the deal become critical and add to it the competition factor in the transfer market because you will not be the only club that have negotiations with certain one or two players. All of these factors need time anyway to be sorted out.”
Salary Cap
Hammad stated: “As for Ahmed Khalil’s deal, the player was on a mission with our national team and Al Ain Club is not used to sneaking from back doors to achieve its goals.” He emphasized: “Khalil was one of Al Ain Club’s key targets before he signed to Al Jazira in the past season, specifically when his contract with Shabab Al Ahli Dubai was not renewed. There was an agreement between Al Ain Club and the player and his agent to join Al Ain as a free player. Al Ain Club did not miss that opportunity, especially that the player made great financial concessions in order to join Al Ain FC as both parties abided by the salary cap approved by UAE Football Association.”
On the reason for the delay in announcing the conclusion of the deal, he stressed: “The official announcement of any deal should be done via Al Ain Club Media Office in line with the Club’s adopted media policy. Additionally, there are numerous details that should be fulfilled prior unveiling the details of the deals, including ensuring that the player is registered in the lists of the football team and to conduct a press interview prior the photo session to unveil his jersey number.”
Technical Value
Replying to a question on Hussein El Shahat’s deal, he stated: “I believe Egypt’s player has already proved that he enjoys quality technical skills and potentials that matches Al Ain’s high level of performance. He did a great job during the few minutes he played with the team in his first match in the league. I hope that he would keep on playing in such stunning level.” He added: “We did not feel that he is a new player compared to his swift adaptation with his teammates and he proved to everyone that he is the right choice.”
Contracting Policy
“Actually, the Club’s contracting policy has changed. During the last two years, the Club did not contract with local players except Ahmad Khalil for the high-quality value eh enjoys and that Al Ain Club is need for his services,” Hammad commented on a question on certain players’ names speculated to be transferred to Al Ain FC during the winter transfer window. He went on to say: “As for the foreign players, we had Lee Myung who left the club to join the national services as per his country’s regulations; otherwise, he will unquestionably stay with Al Ain Club. Danilo Asprilla had received an offer from one of the Saudi league clubs. He had been on loan and he is doing well with his new club. Douglas received our Head Coach support and at that time he was reregistered in the beginning of the current season. However, following the end of the 1st round of AGL, the Head Coach was keen to identify the new requirements to continue to compete at all levels. Indeed, releasing the Brazil’s player absolutely does not mean that he is not a good player; on the contrary, the presence of Berg and Ahmed Khalil in the same position forced the Head Coach to be specific in his technical choices during the winter transfer window.”
Racist Expressions
He responded to a question on winning the Clasico match on the expense of Al Wasl and its accompanying incidents by saying: “First of all, we have to commend all the players’ efforts and the spirit of fighting they have shown during the 90 minutes of the match, as well as their desire to top the standing table and make all the Ainawi fans happy. Also, not forget to hail No. 1 player, i.e. Al Ain’s loyal fans who drew the most magnificent painting and exhibited it in the standing of Za’beel Stadium. The fans’ massive support had a positive impact on the players and significantly contributed to achieve that great result.”
“Furthermore, we have to praise the amazing Al Wasl’s fans. We do understand in Ain Club that the racist expressions adopted by few of them do not represent the majority who was and still noteworthy in supporting their team in our league. We will always assure that the two big clubs with their honorable achievements and loyal fans enjoy longstanding relationships and that such individual behaviors would not have any negative impact on this relationship,” said he.
He added: “All the clubs stand firm against any banned practices that distort the concepts of the sport spirit and the ideal image of all who live on this great land. Such actions are not consistent with our ethics, traditions and virtuous values that the founder of our beloved homeland instilled in us. Moreover, we are reviving these days with all our emotions and feelings the “Year of Zayed” and this could be realized by adhering to all his memorable legacy and noble values, concepts of giving, being accountable and to achieve successes locally and globally.”
Hammad concluded his statement by expressing that: “Winning gives the players the strong motivation to stay on the track of victories. The competition journey is till long and all the top teams in the standing table has the chance to win the title of the league. I do wish Al Ain FC all the best and be able to snatch the AGL title this season.”
