Portugal has emerged as an alternative to host this month's Champions League final between Manchester City and Chelsea after the UK government failed to provide Uefa with certain guarantees to move the game to Wembley.
Uefa has decided that the May 29 final will be moved from Istanbul after Turkey was last week put on the UK's 'red list' ruling out any English fans attending the game. As of May 17, Portugal will be put on the 'green list', meaning a limited amount of City and Chelsea fans would be allowed to attend. Uefa had hoped to allow around 4,000 fans each to attend the match at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul.
European football's governing body held talks with the UK government and English Football Association on Monday with a view to moving the game to Wembley but failed to get the assurances on exemptions for sponsors and international broadcasters, who would need to be compensated if they were unable to attend the game.
Given many of those individuals, from various countries, would currently need to quarantine on arrival in the UK, it would require a wide range of exemptions that has made a swift agreement difficult to find.
Neither Uefa or the FA has responded to requests for comment and talks are set to continue with the UK government on Tuesday to see if a resolution can be found.
Wembley is already scheduled to host the Championship play-off final on May 29, though it is understood the English Football League by amenable to moving the match if asked.
Portugal is currently on the last phase of easing the lockdown and it expects to lift travel restrictions from May 17.
Last year's final was moved from Istanbul to Lisbon due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but sources indicated that Portuguese authorities would prefer for Porto to host the game, should the country be given the option.
Travellers from England to green-list countries must follows rules before departure but do not have to quarantine on their return.
UK citizens returning from red-list countries are required to quarantine at a government-approved hotel for 10 days.
That ruling would have an impact on players involved in Euro 2020, which starts on 11 June.
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.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
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Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
IPL 2018 FINAL
Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 ovs)
Chennai Super Kings 181-2 (18.3 ovs)
Chennai win by eight wickets
