The football season in the United Arab Emirates will likely be delayed by one month following the postponement of the Gulf Cup of Nations.
The Arabian Gulf Super Cup, the Arabian Gulf League and the Arabian Gulf League Cup are all now expected to start in the middle of September instead of this month. However, the final decision will be announced by the Pro League Committee later this week.
On Monday, Kuwait requested to reschedule the tournament, citing the need for more time to finish hosting preparations. The biennial event is now slated to take place in Kuwait at the end of 2016 or even early 2017. Originally the tournament would have been played between Dec. 21, 2015, and Jan. 3, 2016.
"The problem is stadiums need maintenance and the lighting in stadiums is weak. It will need four months to maintain. The decision to delay [the tournament] was met with approval and consensus," Talal Al Fahd, president of the Kuwaiti Football Federation, said, according to Gulf News.
As the tournament is delayed, teams in the UAE are less rushed to begin the season and will likely delay in order to avoid now unnecessary summer games. The change will also mean they will not be granted the usual monthlong break in the middle of the season.