Soccer leagues in Israel, UAE sign working agreement

Soccer leagues in Israel and United Arab Emirates anunced a working agreement Tuesday that follows moves to rmalize diplomatic relations between countries.

Leers of Israeli Professional Football League and UAE Pro League signed a memorandum of understanding by video conference that includes exploring ideas for competitions between ir teams.

Israeli soccer federation left Asian Football Confederation in 1974 for political and security reasons. Israel's national and club teams have played in European competitions since 1990s and federation is w a member of UEFA.

Speaking about UAE accord, Israeli league chairman Erez Halfon said "it seems that re's more that unites us than divides us."

Halfon cited "promotion, sports techlogies and social and commercial collaborations" as future working areas.

Israel signed diplomatic pacts with UAE and Bahrain last month brokered by United States and sealed at a White House ceremony. Sudan became a third Arab nation to join accord last week.

Days after pact, Israel midfielder Dia Saba signed for UAE league club Al Nasr.

"This is something that will attract Israeli people to UAE," Saba said of agreement in a video mess published by Abu Dhabi-based league. 

Im credits: AP