UAE soccer club Al-Ain will play Israel’s Maccabi Haifa in two friendlies, the Emirati side says, the first such fixtures since the two countries normalized relations last year.
The announcement comes during the virtual signing of a deal between the two clubs and follows the United Arab Emirates’ landmark move to normalize relations with the Jewish state in August. They signed a formal deal in Washington in September.
“(The agreement) will consolidate the policy of bridge-building and cooperation between the two major clubs in various fields including marketing, technical cooperation, investment, commercial activities, media and sport,” says Mohamed Thaaloob, chairman of the Al-Ain club investment company.
The clubs, two of the most successful in their respective leagues, also agreed to stage two friendlies, the first to be hosted by Al-Ain and the second to be held in Haifa at an unspecified future date, he adds.
“I am pleased to witness this important moment in the history of the Israeli and Emirati game, and for sport in general,” said Yaqoub Shahar, president of Maccabi Haifa Club.
In October the Emirati and Israeli soccer federations signed a cooperation agreement, a first between the two nations, intended to promote closer sporting ties.
Maccabi Haifa’s Ukrainian midfielder Maxim Plakushchenko (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa League preliminary round football match between Strasbourg and Maccabi Haifa at the Meinau stadium in Strasbourg, on July 25, 2019. (PATRICK HERTZOG / AFP)
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