Reported: 5 November 2026
Dubai, 4 November 2026: New regulations for the status and transfer of players approved for 2026 say professional Emirati players in UAE leagues will be subject to defined annual salary ceilings.
As reported, Counsellor Yaqoub Al Ali, described as a former committee member at the UAE Football Association, said the association would require clubs to implement the salary cap rules for professional Emirati players and to register relevant contracts for verification.
The reported framework sets a maximum annual salary of Dh2.5 million for players in the first category, with three other categories imposing lower ceilings depending on player groupings and, in some cases, minimum and maximum monthly and annual amounts.
The rules also specify that salary calculations include contract advances and other financial benefits, while excluding bonuses tied to performance outcomes such as winning, draws and “excellence”.
According to the report, the regulations further refer to the inclusion of local professional players in the First Division League, with minimum and maximum amounts linked to age bands. It is also stated that disciplinary actions may follow if a club is proven to have violated the cap.
Source: Emirates247.