DUBAI // The Pro League may not be a big draw among the fans. AC Milan, however, are.
A crowd of close to 8,000 filled the stands at the Rashid Stadium last night to watch some of the biggest stars of Planet Football. Entertainment was a natural outcome.
With the likes of Clarence Seedorf, who opened the scoring in the 38th minute, Antonio Cassano, Pato and Gennaro Gattuso on the pitch, the fans were guaranteed top-quality football.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho then came off the bench in the second session to add to the glitz and entertainment quotient, and make it a memorable night for the fans.
Unfortunately, Robinho could not complete the game, leaving the field with braces on his right knee after crashing into one of the cameras on the sideline. Milan decided to play with 10 men for the remaining minutes. Massimiliano Allegri, the Milan coach, will be waiting anxiously on his star's fitness, but hopes the Brazilian will be fit for the match at Cagliari on Thursday, when the Italian league resumes after the winter break.
The entertainment lasted until the final seconds when David O'Leary, the Ahli coach, rushed towards Ibrahimovic after his tackle on Hassan Ali, the scorer for the home side. Words were exchanged and seconds later, after the final whistle, Ibrahimovic headed for the former Arsenal defender and officials had to pull them away.
"It was just a nervous moment between the player and the coach, but it died out," Allegre said. "We had a good game. It was a good test for Milan and I hope the fans enjoyed it as well."
O'Leary declined to review his stand-off with Ibrahimovic and instead focused on the credible performance of his side. "I wouldn't want to talk about him," he said. "It's been a pleasure to have AC Milan here. It's a club that I have admired for a long, long time.
"I have been lucky and privileged with Arsenal to play against them, and lucky again to manage against them.It was a lovely evening and for a trivial few seconds of something, I wouldn't want to ruin it."
The home side started promisingly and were far from embarrassed in the end. Ahli, who had players from other Pro League clubs in their line-up, also had the credit of creating the first few chances of the game. Milan, however, gradually established their hold on the game.
Giacomo Beretta scored AC Milan's second goal in the 72nd minute to make it 2-0.
Ahli did not go away empty-handed, however, as Ali made a golden memory by scoring with a booming volley following a cross from Abdullah Ali.
arizvi@thenational.ae
Previous men's records
- 2:01:39: Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) on 16/9/19 in Berlin
- 2:02:57: Dennis Kimetto (KEN) on 28/09/2014 in Berlin
- 2:03:23: Wilson Kipsang (KEN) on 29/09/2013 in Berlin
- 2:03:38: Patrick Makau (KEN) on 25/09/2011 in Berlin
- 2:03:59: Haile Gebreselassie (ETH) on 28/09/2008 in Berlin
- 2:04:26: Haile Gebreselassie (ETH) on 30/09/2007 in Berlin
- 2:04:55: Paul Tergat (KEN) on 28/09/2003 in Berlin
- 2:05:38: Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 14/04/2002 in London
- 2:05:42: Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 24/10/1999 in Chicago
- 2:06:05: Ronaldo da Costa (BRA) 20/09/1998 in Berlin
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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