MUSCAT, JULY 12
Al Musannah Club, a prominent football club in Oman, announced on Tuesday its decision to withdraw from all first football competitions that organise by the Oman Football Association (OFA) for the season 2023-24. The club cited ongoing financial difficulties as the primary reason for this difficult step.
In an official statement released by Al Musannah Club, it was revealed that the decision was made during the fifth meeting of the Board of Directors. The club acknowledged that financial challenges had plagued their football activities for more than one season. However, through prudent spending and careful financial management, they were able to navigate those obstacles without incurring debt or financial obligations.
Unfortunately, the current period has presented increasingly dire circumstances for Al Musannah Club. The financial burdens associated with the extended duration of the Omantel League, which exceeds 11 months, along with exaggerated player contracts and salaries, have intensified the strain on the club's resources.
In the Club statement "We deeply regret having to make this arduous decision, which marks a significant milestone in the club's history. We apologise for our inability to participate in the Oman Football Association competitions, limiting our involvement solely to the first football team for this season 2023-24"
The club's management extended their sincere apologies to the loyal supporters and fans of Al Musannah, emphasising that this decision was made in the best interest of the club as they seek to restructure their operations and establish a sustainable income stream for future seasons.
During the previous season, Al Musannah Club finished in the ninth position in the Omantel League, earning a total of 33 points from 26 rounds. They achieved seven victories, drew in 12 matches, and suffered seven defeats.
Al Musannah Club's first team withdrawal from the Oman Football Association competitions comes shortly after Al Suwaiq Club, the league's runner-up, announced their departure from all competitions on June 24. Al Suwaiq's decision was motivated by a decline in the technical team's performance and the challenging financial conditions they faced. The absence of financial support from marketing and advertising associated with football participation has significantly impeded their ability to sustain the club.
On the other side the Oman Football Association postponed the issuance of the football competition schedules, which are scheduled to start in August due the apologies of some clubs.
The Football Association did not reveal the details of these apologies in its statement on Wednesday, “Based on the federation’s keenness to organise local competitions with quality standards to represent national teams in upcoming entitlements to ensure the achievement of the desired goals. The committees decided to delay issuing the details, conditions and rules schedules of the local competitions, and they temporarily contented themselves with issuing the competition calendar”.
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