Omar says sorry for speaking out against Al Ain
Player engaged in tell-all interview with Dubai Sports Channel earlier this week
■ SENIOR REPORTER
Omar Abdul Rahman apologised to Al Ain fans via Twitter yesterday for an interview he gave to Dubai Sports Channel earlier this week that was deemed critical of his former club.
The UAE midfielder was meant to join Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in Riyadh on loan over the summer, only after signing a contract renewal with Al Ain.
However, he didn’t sign the renewal as planned, and instead joined Al Hilal as a free agent for a period of one year.
He will now be free to negotiate a move with any other club next summer.
In his Dubai Sports Channel interview, Abdul Rahman accused Al Ain of stalling on contract negotiations, withholding details of offers from European clubs, and orchestrating a move back to Al Hilal, with whom he first played as a youth between 2000 and 2005.
He denied reports that he left Al Ain as a result of a salary cap.
Turki Al Shaikh, chairman of the General Sports Authority in Saudi Arabia, tweeted: “It is not acceptable what Omar Abdul Rahman said to Dubai Sports Channel. I hope the administration of the Crescent [Al Hilal] take necessary steps to adjust these statements.”
After that tweet, Abdul Rahman tweeted: “Al Ain’s management and fans are in my heart and I cannot underestimate the club. I will not forget their preference for me and apologise to them for any misunderstanding in my interview with Dubai Sports Channel.”
Al Ain chairman, Ganem Al Hajeri, tweeted: “Non-purposeful sports programmes won’t be allowed close to the club or its components, particularly the fans, who won’t be used for promotional or marketing purposes. They are the foundation of the club and to us they are untouchable.”
‘Focus on Al Hilal’
Former Al Ain star Salem Johar, told Emarat Al Youm: “Omar should have signed a new contract and then moved on loan to benefit the club financially rather than go on a free transfer.
“Everyone knows the role of the club in his arrival to this position, so he shouldn’t forget that,” he added in reference to the Saudiborn player of Yemeni descent, who obtained UAE citizenship after joining Al Ain from Al Hilal in 2006.
“The difficulties he faced in playing were not hidden when he was in Al Hilal’s youth team, but Al Ain opened the door and made him able to play professionally. Therefore, the player must appreciate the club.
“Such remarks deduct from his popularity among Al Ain fans, and he shouldn’t forget he could still face Al Ain in the Asian Champions League. He needs wisdom and awareness, especially when talking about the club that made him dream. He should focus only on Al Hilal in order not to lose popularity with Al Ain fans.
“Players come and go and Al Ain remains an immutable entity.”