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UAE Pro League

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UAE Pro League
File:UAE Pro-League.png
Organising bodyPro League Committee
Founded1973; 51 years ago (1973)
CountryUnited Arab Emirates
ConfederationAFC
Number of teams14
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toFirst Division League
Domestic cup(s)UAE President's Cup
UAE Super Cup
League cup(s)UAE League Cup
International cup(s)AFC Champions League
Current championsSharjah (6th title)
(2018–19)
Most championshipsAl Ain (13 titles)
TV partnersAbu Dhabi Sports
Dubai Sports
Sharjah Sports
Websiteuaeproleague.ae
Current: 2020–21 season

The UAE Pro League, known for sponsorship reasons as the Arabian Gulf League,[1][2] is the top professional football league in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The first team to win the title was Al Orouba (Sharjah), whilst Al Ain has the record with 13 league titles to their name. Fourteen clubs compete in the League that operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the First Division League.

The League was founded in 1973 as the UAE Football League. The first 1973–74 season was a "trial" championship but was declared official by the UAE FA in 2001.[3] In February 2007, the Pro League Committee was formed, and became the organising body of the League.

Name change

Starting from the 2013–14 season the name was changed from UAE Pro League to Arabian Gulf League, which was named after the Arabian Gulf as per the chairman of Pro League Committee.[4] However, the name change has been viewed as a revival of the Persian Gulf naming dispute[5] with Iran accusing the United Arab Emirates of bigotry,[6] and the Iranian Football Federation barring the transfer of Javad Nekounam to a UAE club.[7] After about four months of the name change a 70 million AED one-year renewable partnership deal was announced with Arabian Gulf Development to be named Official Title Partner.[8]

Ranking

Main article: AFC Club Competitions Ranking

Ranking

As of 29 November 2019[9]

Ranking Member Association Club Points Points
2019 2018 Mvmt 2016 2017 2018 2019 Points
5 3 -2 -2 South Korea South Korea 20.750 9.950 18.350 13.600 62.650 85.430
6 4 -2 -2 Iran Iran 13.000 16.200 18.850 11.500 59.550 81.724
7 7 0 — United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates 18.000 11.350 8.100 7.633 45.083 61.870
8 8 0 — Thailand Thailand 1.000 15.050 16.200 5.050 37.300 51.189
9 9 0 — Iraq Iraq 9.833 8.933 8.633 8.300 35.700 48.993

Clubs

Member clubs (2020–21)

Note: Table lists clubs in alphabetical order.
Club Home city Stadium Capacity
Ajman Ajman City Ajman Stadium 5,537
Al Ain Al-Ain Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium 22,965
Al Dhafra Madinat Zayed Al Dhafra Stadium 5,020
Al Jazira Abu Dhabi City (Al Nahyan) Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium 42,056
Al Nasr Dubai City (Al Nasr) Al-Maktoum Stadium 15,058
Al Wahda Abu Dhabi City (Al Nahyan) Al Nahyan Stadium 12,201
Al Wasl Dubai City (Zabeel) Zabeel Stadium 8,439
Baniyas Abu Dhabi City (Al Shamkha) Baniyas Stadium 10,000
Hatta Hatta Hamdan Bin Rashid Stadium 5,000
Fujairah Fujairah City Fujairah Club Stadium 10,645
Kalba Kalba Ittihad Kalba Stadium 8,500
Khor Fakkan Khor Fakkan Saqr bin Mohammad al Qassimi Stadium 7,500
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai City (Deira) Rashid Stadium 12,052
Sharjah Sharjah City Sharjah Stadium 20,000

Prior to UAE League's transition to the professional era in 2008, many clubs have competed in the country's top tier division from 1973–74 to 2007–08. The below list is clubs that have competed in the UAE top tier league since the Pro League era starting in 2008–09.

Seasons in Pro League

Notes:

  • Italtics indicates that the club no longer exists
  • Bold indicates that the club is still competing in the UAE Pro League as of 2020–21

Managers

Nat. Name Club Appointed Time in charge
Egypt Ayman Elramady Ajman 3 June 2016 8 years, 20 days
United Arab Emirates Abdulaziz Mohamed Sharjah 15 October 2017 6 years, 252 days
Uruguay Jorge Da Silva Kalba 12 October 2019 4 years, 255 days
Netherlands Marcel Keizer Al Jazira 13 October 2019 4 years, 254 days
Portugal Pedro Emanuel Al Ain 5 January 2020 4 years, 170 days
Romania Daniel Isăilă Baniyas 27 June 2020 3 years, 362 days
Serbia Goran Tufegdžić Fujairah 12 July 2020 3 years, 347 days
Serbia Vuk Rašović Al Wahda 7 September 2020 3 years, 290 days
Brazil Caio Zanardi Khor Fakkan 2 October 2020 3 years, 265 days
Serbia Vladimir Vermezović Hatta 22 November 2020 3 years, 214 days
Brazil Odair Hellmann Al Wasl 8 December 2020 3 years, 198 days
United Arab Emirates Mahdi Ali Shabab Al-Ahli 15 December 2020 3 years, 191 days
Syria Mohammad Kwid Al Dhafra 5 January 2021 3 years, 170 days
Argentina Ramón Díaz Al Nasr 4 February 2021 3 years, 140 days

List of champions

Source:[10]

No Season Champion Runner up
  1 1973–74 Sharjah Al Ahli
  2 1974–75 Al Ahli Sharjah
  3 1975–76 Al Ahli Al Ain
  4 1976–77 Al Ain Sharjah
  5 1977–78 Al Nasr Al Ain
  6 1978–79 Al Nasr Sharjah
  7 1979–80 Al Ahli Al Shaab
  8 1980–81 Al Ain Al Nasr
  9 1981–82 Al Wasl Al Ain
  10 1982–83 Al Wasl Sharjah
  11 1983–84 Al Ain Al Wasl
  12 1984–85 Al Wasl Al Shaab
  13 1985–86 Al Nasr Al Wasl
  14 1986–87 Sharjah Al Wasl
  15 1987–88 Al Wasl Sjarjah
  16 1988–89 Sharjah Al Wasl
  17 1989–90 Al Shabab Al Wasl
× 1990–91 Cancelleda
  18 1991–92 Al Wasl Sharjah
  19 1992–93 Al Ain Al Wasl
  20 1993–94 Sharjah Al Ain
  21 1994–95 Al Shabab Al Ain
  22 1995–96 Sharjah Al Wasl
  23 1996–97 Al Wasl Al Nasr
  24 1997–98 Al Ain Sharjah
  25 1998–99 Al Wahda Al Ain
  26 1999–2000 Al Ain Al Nasr
  27 2000–01 Al Wahda Al Ahli
  28 2001–02 Al Ain Al Jazira
  29 2002–03 Al Ain Al Wahda
  30 2003–04 Al Ain Al Shabab
  31 2004–05 Al Wahda Al Ain
  32 2005–06 Al Ahli Al Wahda
  33 2006–07 Al Wasl Al Wahda
  34 2007–08 Al Shabab Al Jazira
  35 2008–09 Al Ahli Al Jazira
  36 2009–10 Al Wahda Al Jazira
  37 2010–11 Al Jazira Baniyas
  38 2011–12 Al Ain Al Nasr
  39 2012–13 Al Ain Al Ahli
  40 2013–14 Al Ahli Al Wahda
  41 2014–15 Al Ain Al Jazira
  42 2015–16 Al Ahli Al Ain
  43 2016–17 Al Jazira Al Wasl
  44 2017–18 Al Ain Al Wahda
  45 2018–19 Sharjah Shabab Al Ahli
× 2019–20 Cancelledb
46 2020–21

Notes
1.^ Competition cancelled due to Gulf war
2.^ Competition cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates[11]

Champions

Performance by club

Club Won Runners-up Winning seasons
Al Ain
13
8
 1976–77, 1980–81, 1983–84, 1992–93, 1997–98, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2017–18
Al Wasl
7
8
 1981–82, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1987–88, 1991–92, 1996–97, 2006–07
Shabab Al Ahli
7
4
 1974–75, 1975–76, 1979–80, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2013–14, 2015–16
Sharjah
6
7
 1973–74, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1993–94, 1995–96, 2018–19
Al Wahda
4
5
 1998–99, 2000–01, 2004–05, 2009–10
Al Nasr
3
4
 1977–78, 1978–79, 1985–86
Al Shababc
3
1
 1989–90, 1994–95, 2007–08
Al Jazira
2
5
 2010–11, 2016–17
Al Shaabd
0
2
 —
Baniyas
0
1
 —

Notes
1.^ Al Shabab along with Dubai CSC merged into Al-Ahli form Shabab Al Ahli in 2017
2.^ Al Shaab dissolved in 2017

Performance by city

City / Area Titles Clubs Winning seasons
Dubai
20
Al Ahli (7): 1974–75, 1975–76, 1979–80, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2013–14, 2015–16
Al Wasl (7): 1981–82, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1987–88, 1991–92, 1996–97, 2006–07
Al Nasr (3): 1977–78, 1978–79, 1985–86
Al Shabab (3): 1989–90, 1994–95, 2007–08
Al Ain
13
 Al Ain (13): 1976–77, 1980–81, 1983–84, 1992–93, 1997–98, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2017–18
Abu Dhabi
6
 Al Wahda (4): 1998–99, 2000–01, 2004–05, 2009–10
Al Jazira (2): 2010–11, 2016–17
Sharjah Sharjah (6): 1973–74, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1993–94, 1995–96, 2018–19

Performance by emirates

Emirates Titles Clubs Winning seasons
Dubai
20
Al Ahli (7): 1974–75, 1975–76, 1979–80, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2013–14, 2015–16
Al Wasl (7): 1981–82, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1987–88, 1991–92, 1996–97, 2006–07
Al Nasr (3): 1977–78, 1978–79, 1985–86
Al Shabab (3): 1989–90, 1994–95, 2007–08
Abu Dhabi
19
 Al Ain (13): 1976–77, 1980–81, 1983–84, 1992–93, 1997–98, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2017–18
Al Wahda (4): 1998–99, 2000–01, 2004–05, 2009–10
Al Jazira (2): 2010–11, 2016–17
Sharjah
6
 Sharjah (6): 1973–74, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1993–94, 1995–96, 2018–19

As of July 2016 following clubs are officially allowed to wear stars while playing in the League, Each country's usage is unique and in UAE the practice is to award one star for each five titles won. The number in parentheses is for League titles won.[12]

Players

All-time top scorers

Source:[13]

Rank Nat Name Club Years Goals Apps
1 United Arab Emirates Fahad Khamees Al Wasl 1980–1997 166 230
2 ArgentinaUnited Arab Emirates Sebastián Tagliabué Al Wahda 2013– 148 151
3 United Arab Emirates Ali Mabkhout Al Jazira 2009– 142 203
4 United Arab Emirates Mohammad Omar Al Wasl
Al Ain
Al Jazira
Al Dhafra
Al Nasr
Ajman 		1992–2011 132 237
5 United Arab Emirates Adnan Al Talyani Al Shaab 1980–1999 129 232
6 United Arab Emirates Abdulaziz Mohamed Sharjah N/A–2002 127 N/A
7 United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates 		Atiq Hassan
Ahmed Abdullah 		Al Ahli
Al Ain 		1988–2002
1978–1995		 117 N/A
8 United Arab Emirates Faisal Khalil Al Ahli
Al Wasl
Al Shaab 		1999–2013 114 302
9 BrazilUnited Arab Emirates Fábio Lima Al Wasl 2014– 102 129
10 Ghana Asamoah Gyan Al-Ain
Al Ahli 		2011–2017 101 97
11 Brazil Anderson Barbosa Sharjah
Al Wasl 		2002–2009 99 128
12 Senegal Makhete Diop Al Dhafra
Shabab Al-Ahli 		2011–2018 95 137
13 United Arab Emirates Ali Thani Sharjah N/A 93 128

Top scorers by season

Season Player Club Goals
1974–75[14] United Arab Emirates Suhail Salim Al Ahli 14
1975–76[15] Pakistan Ali Nawaz Baloch Al Wahda 12
1976–77[15] Sudan Al Fadhel Santo Al Nasr 10
1977–78[15] Tunisia Mohieddine Habita Al Ain 20
1980–81[16] Ghana Karim Abdul Razak Emirates 14
1981–82[17] United Arab Emirates Ahmed Abdullah Al Ain 12
1982–83[18] Brazil Carlos [clarification needed] Al Nasr 12
1983–84[19] United Arab Emirates Ahmed Abdullah
United Arab Emirates Fahad Khamees 		Al Ain
Al Wasl 		20
1984–85[20] United Arab Emirates Fahad Khamees
United Arab Emirates Adnan Al Talyani 		Al Wasl
Al Shaab 		14
1985–86[16][20] United Arab Emirates Mohammed Salem Al Wahda 16
1986–87[16][20] United Arab Emirates Adnan Al Talyani
United Arab Emirates Khalil Ghanim 		Al Shaab
Al Khaleej 		13
1987–88[21] United Arab Emirates Zuhair Bakheet Al Wasl 25
1988–89[22] United Arab Emirates Fahad Khamees Al Wasl 14
1989–90[20] United Arab Emirates Hussain Yaslam Baniyas 16
1991–92[23][24] United Arab Emirates Youssouf Atiq Al Ahli 25
1992–93[16][24] United Arab Emirates Saif Sultan Al Ain 20
1993–94[16][25] United Arab Emirates Abdulaziz Mohammed Sharjah 18
1994–95[16][24] United Arab Emirates Bader Jassim Al Wahda 10
1995–96[24][26] United Arab Emirates Jassim Al Dokhi Al Shaab 10
1996–97[16][24] United Arab Emirates Bader Jassim Al Wahda 11
1997–98[24] United Arab Emirates Ali Thani Sharjah 18
1998–99[27] Senegal Alboury Lah Al Wahda 29
1999–00[24][28] Senegal Alboury Lah Al Wahda 18
2000–01[29][30] United Arab EmiratesQatar Mohammed Al Enazi Al Wahda 22
2001–02[29][31] United Arab EmiratesQatar Mohammed Al Enazi Al Wahda 22
2002–03[32] Chile Cristián Montecinos Dubai 19
2003–04[33] Iran Ali Karimi Al Ahli 14
2004–05[18][34] Brazil Valdir
Brazil Anderson Barbosa 		Al Nasr
Sharjah 		23
2005–06[35] Brazil Anderson Barbosa Sharjah 19
2006–07[36] Brazil Anderson Barbosa Al Wasl 19
2007–08[37] United Arab Emirates Faisal Khalil
Brazil Anderson Barbosa 		Al-Ahli
Al-Sharjah 		16
2008–09[38] Brazil Fernando Baiano Al Jazira 25
2009–10[39] Argentina José Sand Al Ain 24
2010–11[40] Senegal André Senghor Baniyas 18
2011–12[41] Ghana Asamoah Gyan Al Ain 22
2012–13[42] Ghana Asamoah Gyan Al Ain 31
2013–14[43] Ghana Asamoah Gyan Al Ain 29
2014–15[44] Montenegro Mirko Vučinić Al Jazira 25
2015–16[45] Argentina Sebastián Tagliabué Al Wahda 25
2016–17[46] United Arab Emirates Ali Mabkhout Al Jazira 33
2017–18[47] Sweden Marcus Berg Al Ain 25
2018–19[48] Argentina Sebastián Tagliabué Al Wahda 27

By country

Country Players Seasons
 United Arab Emirates 17 20
 Brazil 4 6
 Ghana 2 4
 Argentina 2 3
 Senegal 2 3
 Pakistan 1 1
 Sudan 1 1
 Tunisia 1 1
 Chile 1 1
 Iran 1 1
 Montenegro 1 1
 Sweden 1 1

References

  1. ^ Studios, XS. "Arabian Gulf Development introduced as new Title Sponsor for the Arabian Gulf League - News - UAE Pro League Committee". www.uaeproleague.ae. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  2. ^ Studios, XS. "Arabian Gulf Development renews League sponsorship - News - UAE Pro League Committee". www.agleague.ae. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  3. ^ "1973/74 UAE Football League". Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  4. ^ "New League name announced by H.E. Mohammed Thani Murshed Al Romaithi - News - UAE Pro League Committee". www.uaeproleague.ae.
  5. ^ "Gulf rivalry between Iran, UAE transfered [sic] to the football pitch". Hürriyet Daily News. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  6. ^ Category: Asia (29 May 2013). "Iran accuses UAE of racism in renaming Pro League to the Persian Gulf League". Inside World Football. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  7. ^ "Iran bars captain's UAE transfer over Gulf name". Fox News. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  8. ^ "Perian Gulf Development introduced as new Title Sponsor for the Persian Gulf League - News - UAE Pro League Committee". www.uaeproleague.ae. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  9. ^ "AFC Club Competitions Ranking". Asian Football Confederation.
  10. ^ Atsushi Fujioka (19 May 2011). "United Arab Emirates - List of Champions". UAE FA website. RSSSF. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  11. ^ "PRESS STATEMANT". 18 June 2020.
  12. ^ "لماذا ستوضع نجمة على قمصان بعض الفرق الإماراتية؟ - سبورت 360 عربية". arabic.sport360.com.
  13. ^ "100s". FootballUAE.net. Archived from the original on 25 June 2002. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  14. ^ "United Arab Emirates 1974/75". RSSSF.com.
  15. ^ a b c "1975-1978" (in Arabic). AlIttihad.ae.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g "Scorers 1980-2001". FootballUAE.net (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 16 December 2001. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  17. ^ "The league championship 35 years old story" (in Arabic). AlIttihad.ae.
  18. ^ a b "Top-scorer Valder calls for professional set-up in UAE". GulfNews.com.
  19. ^ "1983–84: Goals" (in Arabic). AlIttihad.ae.
  20. ^ a b c d "1984–91" (in Arabic). AlIttihad.ae.
  21. ^ "1987–88: Goals". RSSSF.com.
  22. ^ "1974–06" (in Arabic). AlIttihad.ae.
  23. ^ "1991–92: Goals". RSSSF.com.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g "Al Ain achieve a record in the ninth title" (in Arabic). AlIttihad.ae.
  25. ^ "1993–94: Goals". RSSSF.com.
  26. ^ "1995–96: Goals". RSSSF.com.
  27. ^ "The Pro-League 4th edition launches today". AGLeague.ae.
  28. ^ "1999–00: Goals". RSSSF.com.
  29. ^ a b "2000-01: Goals". GulfNews.com.
  30. ^ "2000-01: Goals". RSSSF.com.
  31. ^ "2001-02: Goals". GulfNews.com.
  32. ^ "2002-03: Goals". GulfNews.com.
  33. ^ "2003-04: Goals". RSSSF.com.
  34. ^ "2004-05: Goals". Goalzz.com.
  35. ^ "2005-06: Goals". Goalzz.com.
  36. ^ "2006-07: Goals". Goalzz.com.
  37. ^ "2007-08: Goals". Goalzz.com.
  38. ^ "2008-09: Goals". Goalzz.com.
  39. ^ "2009-10: Goals". Soccerway.com.
  40. ^ "2010-11: Goals". Soccerway.com.
  41. ^ "2011-12: Goals". Soccerway.com.
  42. ^ "2012–13: Goals". Soccerway.com.
  43. ^ "2013-14: Goals". Soccerway.com.
  44. ^ "2014-15: Goals". Soccerway.com.
  45. ^ "2015-16: Goals". Soccerway.com.
  46. ^ "2016-17: Goals". Soccerway.com.
  47. ^ "2017-18: Goals". Soccerway.com.
  48. ^ "2018-19: Goals". Soccerway.com.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=UAE_Pro_League&oldid=1004822416"