UAE Pro-League

UAE Pro-League
Founded 1973
Country United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates
Confederation AFC
Number of teams 14
Level on pyramid 1
Relegation to First Division League
Domestic cup(s) President's Cup
League Cup
Super Cup
International cup(s) AFC Champions League
Current champions Al-Ain (13 titles)
(2017–18)
Most championships Al-Ain (13 titles)
TV partners Abu Dhabi Sports
Dubai Sports
Website www.agleague.ae
2018–19 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-Sharjah, whilst Al-Ain has the record with 12 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 organizing 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 racism,[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]

Member clubs (2018–19)

Note: Table lists clubs in alphabetical order.
Club Home city Stadium Capacity
Ajman Ajman Ajman Stadium 5,537
Al-Ain Al-Ain Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium 22,717
Al-Dhafra Madinat Zayed Al Dhafra Stadium 5,020
Al-Jazira Abu Dhabi Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium 42,056
Al-Nasr Dubai Al-Maktoum Stadium 12,000
Al-Wahda Abu Dhabi Al Nahyan Stadium 12,000
Al-Wasl Dubai Zabeel Stadium 8,439
Baniyas Abu Dhabi Baniyas Stadium 9,570
Dibba Al-Fujairah Fujairah Fujairah Club Stadium 10,645
Emirates Ras Al Khaimah Emirates Club Stadium 5,200
Fujairah Fujairah Fujairah Club Stadium 10,645
Kalba Kalba Ittihad Kalba Stadium 8,500
Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai Dubai Al-Rashid Stadium 18,000
Sharjah Sharjah Sharjah Stadium 11,073

Managers

Nat. Name Club Appointed
EgyptAyman ElramadyAjman3 June 2016
BrazilPaulo ComelliDibba Al Fujairah19 January 2017
CroatiaZoran MamićAl Ain30 January 2017
RomaniaLaurențiu ReghecampfAl Wahda2 June 2017
United Arab EmiratesAbdulaziz MohamedSharjah15 October 2017
SerbiaIvan JovanovićAl Nasr19 January 2018
TunisiaJalal QadiriEmirates28 May 2018
ChileJosé Luis SierraShabab Al-Ahli Dubai28 May 2018
Czech RepublicIvan HašekFujairah29 May 2018
CroatiaKrunoslav JurčićBaniyas30 May 2018
NetherlandsMarcel KeizerAl Jazira2 June 2018
BoliviaGustavo QuinterosAl Wasl30 June 2018
SerbiaVuk RašovićAl Dhafra30 June 2018
ItalyFabio VivianiKalba2 September 2018

List of champions

Source:[9]

SeasonWinner
1973–74Sharjah
1974–75Al-Ahli
1975–76Al-Ahli
1976–77Al-Ain
1977–78Al-Nasr
1978–79Al-Nasr
1979–80Al-Ahli
1980–81Al-Ain
1981–82Al-Wasl
1982–83Al-Wasl
1983–84Al-Ain
1984–85Al-Wasl
1985–86Al-Nasr
1986–87Sharjah
1987–88Al-Wasl
1988–89Sharjah
1989–90Al-Shabab
1990–91-
1991–92Al-Wasl
1992–93Al-Ain
1993–94Sharjah
1994–95Al-Shabab
1995–96Sharjah
1996–97Al-Wasl
1997–98Al-Ain
1998–99Al-Wahda
1999–00Al-Ain
2000–01Al-Wahda
2001–02Al-Ain
2002–03Al-Ain
2003–04Al-Ain
2004–05Al-Wahda
2005–06Al-Ahli
2006–07Al-Wasl
2007–08Al-Shabab
2008–09Al-Ahli
2009–10Al-Wahda
2010–11Al-Jazira
2011–12Al-Ain
2012–13Al-Ain
2013–14Al-Ahli
2014–15Al-Ain
2015–16Al-Ahli
2016–17Al-Jazira
2017–18Al Ain

Notes
1. Al-Sharjah won its first championship in 1973–74 as Al-Oroba.

2. 1990-91 season was not completed due to Gulf War

Champions

Performance by club

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

Performance by city

City / Area Titles Clubs Winning seasons
Dubai
20
 Al-Wasl (7): 1981–82, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1987–88, 1991–92, 1996–97, 2006–07
Al-Ahli (7): 1974–75, 1975–76, 1979–80, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2013–14, 2015–16
Al-Nasr (3): 1977–78, 1978–79, 1985–86
Al-Shabab (3): 1989–90, 1994–95, 2007–08
Al Ain
12
 Al-Ain (12): 1976–77, 1980–81, 1983–84, 1992–93, 1997–98, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15
Abu Dhabi
6
 Al-Wahda (4): 1998–99, 2000–01, 2004–05, 2009–10
Al-Jazira (2): 2010–11, 2016–17
Sharjah
5
 Al-Sharjah (5): 1973–74, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1993–94, 1995–96

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. [10]

Players

All-time top scorers

Source:[11]

Rank Nat Name Club Years Goals Apps
1 United Arab Emirates Fahad Khamees Al-Wasl 1980–1997166230
2 United Arab Emirates Mohammad Omar Al-Wasl
Al-Ain
Al-Jazira
Al-Dhafra
Al-Nasr
Ajman		 1992–2011132237
3 United Arab Emirates Adnan Al Talyani Al-Shaab 1980–1999129232
4 United Arab Emirates Abdulaziz Mohamed Al-Sharjah N/A–2002127N/A
5 United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates		 Youssouf Atiq
Ahmed Abdullah		 Al-Ahli
Al-Ain		 1988–2002
1978–1995		117N/A
6 United Arab Emirates Faisal Khalil Al-Ahli
Al-Wasl
Al-Shaab		 1999–2013114302
7 United Arab Emirates Ali Mabkhout Al-Jazira 2009–Present111151
8 Ghana Asamoah Gyan Al-Ain
Al-Ahli		 2011–201710197
9 Brazil Anderson Barbosa Al-Sharjah
Al-Wasl		 2002–200999128
10 United Arab Emirates Ali Thani Al-Sharjah N/A93N/A

Top scorers by season

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

References

  1. ↑ Studios, XS. "Arabian Gulf Development introduced as new Title Sponsor for the Arabian Gulf League - News - UAE Pro League Committee". www.uae.agleague.ae. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  2. ↑ Studios, XS. "Arabian Gulf Development renews League sponsorship - News - UAE Pro League Committee". beta.proleague.ae. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  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.uae.agleague.ae.
  5. ↑ "Gulf rivalry between Iran, UAE transfered to the football pitch". Hürriyet Daily News. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
  6. ↑ Category: Asia (29 May 2013). "Iran accuses UAE of racism in renaming Pro League to the Arabian 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. ↑ "Arabian Gulf Development introduced as new Title Sponsor for the Arabian Gulf League - News - UAE Pro League Committee". www.uae.agleague.ae. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  9. ↑ Atsushi Fujioka (19 May 2011). "United Arab Emirates - List of Champions". UAE FA website. RSSSF. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  10. ↑ "لماذا ستوضع نجمة على قمصان بعض الفرق الإماراتية؟ - سبورت 360 عربية". arabic.sport360.com.
  11. ↑ "100s". FootballUAE.net. Archived from the original on 25 June 2002. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  12. ↑ "United Arab Emirates 1974/75". RSSSF.com.
  13. 1 2 3 "1975-1978" (in Arabic). AlIttihad.ae.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Scorers 1980-2001". FootballUAE.net (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 16 December 2001. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  15. ↑ "The league championship 35 years old story" (in Arabic). AlIttihad.ae.
  16. 1 2 "Top-scorer Valder calls for professional set-up in UAE". GulfNews.com.
  17. ↑ "1983–84: Goals" (in Arabic). AlIttihad.ae.
  18. 1 2 3 4 "1984–91" (in Arabic). AlIttihad.ae.
  19. ↑ "1987–88: Goals". RSSSF.com.
  20. ↑ "1974–06" (in Arabic). AlIttihad.ae.
  21. ↑ "1991–92: Goals". RSSSF.com.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Al Ain achieve a record in the ninth title" (in Arabic). AlIttihad.ae.
  23. ↑ "1993–94: Goals". RSSSF.com.
  24. ↑ "1995–96: Goals". RSSSF.com.
  25. ↑ "The Pro-League 4th edition launches today". AGLeague.ae.
  26. ↑ "1999–00: Goals". RSSSF.com.
  27. 1 2 "2000-01: Goals". GulfNews.com.
  28. ↑ "2000-01: Goals". RSSSF.com.
  29. ↑ "2001-02: Goals". GulfNews.com.
  30. ↑ "2002-03: Goals". GulfNews.com.
  31. ↑ "2003-04: Goals". RSSSF.com.
  32. ↑ "2004-05: Goals". Goalzz.com.
  33. ↑ "2005-06: Goals". Goalzz.com.
  34. ↑ "2006-07: Goals". Goalzz.com.
  35. ↑ "2007-08: Goals". Goalzz.com.
  36. ↑ "2008-09: Goals". Goalzz.com.
  37. ↑ "2009-10: Goals". Soccerway.com.
  38. ↑ "2010-11: Goals". Soccerway.com.
  39. ↑ "2011-12: Goals". Soccerway.com.
  40. ↑ "2012–13: Goals". Soccerway.com.
  41. ↑ "2013-14: Goals". Soccerway.com.
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