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Jonjo Shelvey Defends Dubai Move, Citing Family Safety Over Money

Shelvey says family safety rather than pay drove his switch to Dubai's lower leagues.

Overview

  • He is playing for Arabian Falcons in the UAE’s lower tiers on an initial one-year deal after leaving Burnley, having seen a Hull City trial falter due to a hamstring issue.
  • A clip of him missing a penalty against Al Fath drew around a million views despite an estimated crowd of about 75 at Jebel Ali Shooting Club, a reaction he says does not bother him.
  • He rejects claims of a cash grab, saying typical wages in the league are about £2,000 a month and noting he has earned far more in his career.
  • He relocated with his wife and three children and cites fears over street theft and a decline in quality of life in parts of the UK, even as police report some reductions in robbery and theft this year.
  • He trains in the mornings and coaches in the evenings in Dubai while studying for his UEFA A Licence, having been recruited by childhood friend and manager Harry Agombar.