European football sides descend on Dubai Sports City for warm weather training

Clubs from England and Sweden choose sporting and lifestyle community for winter training camps

Dubai: Sunday 7th February 2016: One of Sweden’s most successful club’s and team’s from the English Premier League have chosen Dubai Sports City as their 2016 winter training camps and will be using the facilities whilst taking a break from their season campaign’s.

Malmo FF, who faced both Real Madrid and PSG in last year’s UEFA Champions League have opted for Dubai Sports City whilst they take a break from life in the Allsvenskan and are currently mid-way through their training block in the UAE.

Crystal Palace FC and Sunderland AFC are also due to fly to Dubai Sports City within days to take advantage of the perfect conditions and hospitality provided by the Football Zone within Dubai Sports City.

With Sunderland looking to improve in the second half of the season and pull away from the relegation zone, the club are intent on making progress without distractions in Dubai whilst Crystal Palace look forward to a break from the frantic life of the England’s top division.

Dubai Sports City is well accustomed to hosting European football sides during the cooler months having hosted the likes of Swansea City, West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth in recent seasons.

Dubai Sports City President, Khalid Al Zarooni said: “It is always a pleasure to welcome high-performance sporting sides in any sport to Dubai Sports City.

“Having Premier League sides come back to Dubai Sports City is a testament of how good our facilities are and its a privilege to play host to some of the sport’s most well known players and coaches.

“Dubai Sports City offers the unique combination of state-of-the-art pitches, outside and indoors with out Football Dome and also superb amenities such as our Fit Republik gym, F&B outlets and of course our Troon managed, Els Club golf course.”

In Sweden, Malmo FF sit in fifth position in the top flight whilst in England, Sam Allardyce’s Sunderland are stuck in the bottom three with Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace lying in mid-table.

“I’m lucky enough to use the football facilities at Dubai Sports City everyday with the Spanish Soccer Schools so I know why European teams keep coming back to us,” said Director of Football at Dubai Sports City, Michel Salgado.

“We have seen brilliant teams and high profile players visit us, and they often come back to us every year which is great. I know they understand what a great base it is to train when they have the time and we are only too happy to welcome them to Dubai Sports City.”

Both Premier League clubs arrive for training on the 16thFebruary and Malmo finish their time at Dubai Sports city on 10th February.

Media are welcome to training sessions.