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Al Ain chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammad says the club are willing to sacrifice their AFC Champions League campaign to hang on to their Pro League crown.
The defending champions have an eight-point cushion at home and have won one and lost one of their two Champions League group games so far.
But Sheikh Abdullah feels a gruelling fixture list all but rules out their hopes of success on both fronts, and that more help could be offered to them by the domestic calendar.
He claims Al Ain’s regional rivals have a distinct advantage in competing on multiple fronts as they are given more time to recover after Champions League games.
“We are going to concentrate on the league championship only, we don’t care about the AFC Champions League – the players are very fatigued,” said the Al Ain supremo.
“The other teams are chasing us and if we are going to lose more points, we are going to neglect the Asian championship and concentrate on the league. “The Pro League committee must change their style next season,” he added.
“Last season this problem took place and the teams who took part in the AFC Champions League suffered. I hope this changes next season.
“It is not like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, in Saudi Arabia and Qatar teams taking part in the Asian games are given some time to take a rest.
“Here it is totally different, they play at home and outside in the Cup and the players feel very fatigued and they get injured.”
The Boss team up with Etihad
Al Ain have announced a new partnership with Etihad Airways in a deal that does not extend to shirt sponsorship but will reap “new marketing and brand-promotion opportunities”.
Al Ain chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammad feels it is good news both for the club and their supporters.
“We are proud of this strategy partnership,” he said, while also revealing Etihad will provide club flights to AFC Champions League.
“The fans will benefit out of the partnership, it is a good, new idea for Al Ain club. “There will be promotions and trips for the fans. Al Ain considers its fans as key to its success so the news also contains benefits to them.”
He added: “So far the length hasn’t been decided but I guess it will be long term depending on how things go.”
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