About 40 people were injured on Friday when a barrier collapsed at the Gulf Cup final in Kuwait, shortly after Oman beat the UAE on penalties to claim the title.
The Kuwaiti minister of state for youth affairs, Khaled Al Roudhan, said those hurt at the Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Stadium in Kuwait City were taken to hospital with minor injuries, probably after rushing towards the barrier to celebrate with their players.
Sattam Al Sahli, head of communications for the 23rd Gulf Cup, had initially said that 11 had been injured.
Mr Al Roudhan said that the injured were "all OK" and that the Kuwaiti authorities had launched an investigation into the incident.
A witness said the barrier collapsed as jubilant fans pushed up against the glass to cheer players waving up at them from below.
The incident marred Oman's second Gulf Cup triumph, which came through spot kicks after a goalless draw with the UAE.
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MATCH INFO
Day 1 at Mount Maunganui
England 241-4
Denly 74, Stokes 67 not out, De Grandhomme 2-28
New Zealand
Yet to bat
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures:
Monday, 1st 50-over match
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
