UAE football league could re-start in August when temperatures reach over 40 degrees

The UAE's domestic football league is looking to re-start in August, after all games were put on hold due to an outbreak of the coronavirus in the Gulf state.

UAE Pro League football teams had played 19 rounds of matches when the season was suspended in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

There are still seven rounds of games needed to complete the season and UAE football authorities are hoping to wrap it up this year, with games being played in August.

"The UAE Pro League is following up with the relevant UAE authorities on the latest developments concerning the Covid-19 pandemic and the hard work that is being carried out to protect all members of society," football officials said in a statement, according to Gulf News.

"After analysing the situation with the relevant authorities, the UAE Pro League has decided, in coordination with the UAE Football Association, a plan for its competitions to resume in August 2020."

There are concerns about the extremely hot weather footballers will endure if the season re-commences in August.

Average temperatures in the UAE that month are in the mid-30s, but often rise up to the late 40s.

Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai currently lead the UAE football league ahead of Al-Ain.

Other football associations in the Gulf also put their seasons on hold due to the coronavirus epidemic although there are no signs they plan to play games.

The Netherlands and France have cancelled their leagues, while the Italian Serie A remains doubtful. 

There are question marks over the English Premier League and Spanish La Liga also.

Germany is set to re-start its league but under strict social distancing conditions.

The UAE has seen nearly 12,000 cases of the coronavirus and 98 deaths. On Wednesday, the UAE announced 549 new cases of Covid-19 and nine deaths, showing that the pandemic is far from over.