They can and they have in the past. They separated training with GF's teeth attached, they forced GF to sign the rotables contract with GT, who had only 6 staff members at the time and not a single spare part or even an IT system, the examples are plenty ... The key is in the "They", you have to see who controls GF, Tamkeen, Mumtalakat, and you will see what "They" can do.
GF was under a different management at the time you describe and the mess involved this time can only be covered this way. At any rate, time will tell!