UAE's Al Ain FC, Israeli club Maccabi Haifa to play friendly matches

Dubai - The first match would be held at the iconic Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain

In a historic first, UAE giants Al Ain and Israeli club Maccabi Haifa will play two friendly matches, the two clubs announced on Wednesday. This initiative is in line with the agreement signed by the football federations of both countries last December, two months after the historic peace deal signed by the UAE and Israel.

The virtual MOU ceremony was attended by Yaakov Shahar, president of Maccabi Haifa Club, and Mohammed bin Thaloub Al Deri, chairman of Al Ain Club Investment Company, Uzi Moore, vice-president of Maccabi Haifa Club, Rashid Abdullah, executive director of Al Ain Club and Assaf Ben Dov, executive director of Maccabi Haifa Club.

“I would like to congratulate everybody on this historic partnership,” Mohammed bin Thaloub told Al Ain club’s official website.

Bin Thaloub also said that the partnership with Maccabi Haifa Club was a crucial step as it confirms the role sports plays in promoting the concept of tolerance and peace among nations.

“This MoU aims to support the policy of cooperation and establishing communications between the two big clubs in all marketing, technical, investment, commercial, media and sports aspects,” he said.

The chairman of Al Ain Club Investment Company announced that the two clubs would play two friendly matches under the theme of ‘Peace Matches’.

The first match would be held at the iconic Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, and the second game would be held in Haifa City. The dates and timings would be announced later.

Al Ain are the most successful club in the UAE with 13 league titles. The Boss is also the only UAE club to have won the AFC Champions League.

Maccabi Haifa, on the other hand, are among the four most successful clubs in Israel football history, with 12 league titles. They are also the only Israeli club to have qualified for the group stages of the Champions League, the world’s biggest club competition.

“I would like to congratulate the UAE and Israel for signing the historic peace agreement,” said Yaakov Shahar, president of Maccabi Haifa Club.

“Nothing is more important than peace among nations, and friendship and cordiality between human beings. I have the pleasure to experience such a significant moment in the history of UAE and Israel football and sports in general.”

Meanwhile, Pedro Emanuel, the Portuguese head coach of Al Ain, was looking forward to taking part in the historic matches.

“Proud that I am part of this historic moment, not only at the level of the two clubs but the two countries. Our match with Maccabi reflects the true image of the football game,” Emmanuel said.

“We are so keen to enhance both clubs’ mutual relationships further. I hope that everyone will enjoy these important moments in the sporting history between the two countries.”

Barak Bakhar, the head coach of Maccabi Haifa, is also excited about the opportunity to become the first Israeli football coach to be involved in a match in the UAE.

“We are all excited in the team to play this historic match. On a personal level, I am so thrilled as I will become the first Israeli head coach to play a match in the UAE, the land of tolerance and peace,” Bakhar said.