The UAE RF has accepted Al Ain Amblers’ request to withdraw from the West Asia Premiership after the club cited a lack of players and the safety consequences of trying to make up the numbers in the division.

Al Ain, who lost their opening match of the season 45-3 to Abu Dhabi Saracens, were meant to face Jebel Ali Dragons this weekend.

That match, the opening round defeat and all other scheduled Amblers fixtures will now be given 0-0 results although the club has said they will play the Dragons in a friendly if the Jebel Ali outfit want to go ahead with the game.

The Amblers were already under pressure from the UAE RF in an underage player row that revolved around the fielding of teenagers Jayden Bell and Sunia Laladidi.

It was a result of a hard pre-season that saw their best players leave for pastures new at some of the top clubs in the league.

The UAE RF posted this statement on their Facebook Page: