Football hasn’t been the same since fans were forced to abandon their season tickets and watch from the confines of their living room – but that’s all changing for the final of this year’s UAE President’s Cup.
In an absolute right result, the UAEFA – the governing body for the beautiful game in this neck of the woods – has rubberstamped the hotly anticipated return of supporters for the showcase fixture on Friday May 16.
Approximately 8,000 fans will be allowed to catch the match in the flesh at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain City, with the 25,000-seat arena operating on a 30 percent capacity basis.
The stellar fixture, which will see Dubai-based Shabab Al Ahli take on Al Nasr, may only be attended by those vaccinated against COVID-19.
The two sides are third and fifth in the UAE Arabian Gulf League, respectively, with Shabab Al Ahli running out 1-0 winners in the only previous meeting between the clubs this season.
To take their seat, fans must present a negative PCR test result and show the status of gold star or ‘E’ on the Al Hosn medical app, to be permitted to enter. The test must be done in the last 48 hours ahead of kick off.
And there’s more at stake than just silverware.
The fixture is also being used as a trial for the long-term return of fans to stadia ahead of the World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers.
Ready for kick off? We thought as much.
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