Top officials from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) met Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour and members of the Premier League leaders squad in Abu Dhabi this week.
The delegation, led by SAFF President Adel Ezzat, were in the UAE capital to meet members of the ruling family, deepen ties with their counterparts at the UAE Football Association and hold talks over “signing several agreements between Manchester City and SAFF,” according to a post on the SAFF Twitter account.
“The two parties agreed to extend cooperation between the SAFF and the UAE Football Association for the best interests of developing football in both countries,” read the statement. “It was also agreed that discussion are to commence toward signing several agreements between Manchester City and SAFF.”
Manchester City are in Abu Dhabi this week for some warm-weather training at Emirates Palace during a break in their fixture list. The party from the SAFF had pictures taken with Yaya Toure, Leroy Sane and John Stones and also presented a signed Saudi Arabia national team shirt to City captain Vincent Kompany. Saudi Arabia play Kompany’s Belgium side in a friendly later this month.
“The SAFF delegation held meetings with Manchester City staff and players to discuss areas of mutual interest,” added the statement. “They also toured the training camp and were briefed on the team’s plans while in Abu Dhabi.”
Ezzat later met UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour and Sheikh Hazza, Vice President of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and presented them with a signed Saudi Arabian national team jersey and a shield in appreciation for their generosity in hosting the SAFF delegation.
“His Highness Sheikh Hazza congratulated the SAFF on Saudi Arabia’s qualification to the 2018 FIFA World Cup and wished them good luck in the global event,” added the statement.
#صور pic.twitter.com/vRbf238Ref
— الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم (@saudiFF) March 15, 2018
