Manchester United and Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to resolve his chronic bowel condition.
United have stressed the move is part of a "planned procedure", but they admit it is "frustrating" for the 28-year-old who has made just two short substitute appearances since starting the Barclays Premier League win at Reading on December 1.
A United statement read: "Darren Fletcher will be unavailable for the remainder of this season having undergone surgery to resolve his ulcerative colitis condition.
"We wish to stress this was a planned procedure undertaken at the optimal time having achieved a period of sustained good general health, as illustrated by the fact that Darren has trained with the team regularly this season and been available for selection right up to the operation.
"Whilst it is frustrating for both Darren and the club that he won't be able to contribute further during this campaign, this decision has been taken with our full support in the best interests of his long term health and we look forward to him returning next season with this problem firmly behind him.
"We would be grateful if his privacy could be respected at this time and in the coming months in order to aid his recuperation."
Not only are United affected, but Scotland must cope without their captain for the first matches of Gordon Strachan's spell as national coach, next month's friendly against Estonia and the World Cup qualifiers against Wales, Serbia and Croatia.
Strachan tonight said: "On behalf of the Scotland supporters, the national squad and backroom team, I wish Darren the best of luck in his recovery from the surgery that has been confirmed by his club.
"I spoke with Darren on Tuesday and know that the decision to have the operation has been taken in the interests of his long-term health and with the full backing of the medical staff at Manchester United.
"Darren's commitment and pride in playing for his country is an example to any professional footballer, as has been demonstrated by his availability for the recent World Cup qualifiers and the international challenge match against Luxembourg.
"I'm sure I speak for all Scotland fans when I say I hope that the operation allows Darren to overcome his condition and resume his role as a major influence for club and country in his own time.
"In the meantime, I have stressed to him that, as captain, he remains an integral part of the international set-up and that he is welcome to join up with the squad at any time during his recovery."
Fletcher has been struggling with the problem since March 2011, although his extended absences from the United side were dismissed by manager Sir Alex Ferguson as a virus.
However, once it became obvious the midfielder could not play his way through the injury, United eventually confirmed the extent of the condition and confirmed he was going to take a full break.
Fletcher even missed pre-season training last summer to ensure his comeback was a success, making his reappearance as a substitute against Galatasaray at Old Trafford in September.
Although he initially eased his way back into the first-team fray, the Reading game represented his third start in four games and he spoke optimistically about his role in the coming weeks.
Instead, after another substitute appearance the following Wednesday against CFR Cluj, matches against Sunderland and Swansea - where he did not come off the bench - and Newcastle on Boxing Day, when he was introduced for the final minute for his 10th and final appearance of the campaign, he was not seen again on first-team duty.
When questioned about Fletcher's absence at a time when matches were being encountered every three days, Ferguson said the pitches were too heavy for the Dalkeith-born player.
However, when he did not make the bench for last night's FA Cup tie with West Ham, when Ferguson made 10 changes to his starting line-up, it was obvious there was a more significant problem.
Now Fletcher, one of the most popular players in the United dressing room, is once again facing an extended period on the sidelines - and question marks about his future.
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50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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Company name/date started: Seez, set up in September 2015 and the app was released in August 2017
Founder/CEO name(s): Tarek Kabrit, co-founder and chief executive, and Andrew Kabrit, co-founder and chief operating officer
Based in: Dubai, with operations also in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon
Sector: Search engine for car buying, selling and leasing
Size: (employees/revenue): 11; undisclosed
Stage of funding: $1.8 million in seed funding; followed by another $1.5m bridge round - in the process of closing Series A
Investors: Wamda Capital, B&Y and Phoenician Funds
Pots for the Asian Qualifiers
Pot 1: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China
Pot 2: Iraq, Uzbekistan, Syria, Oman, Lebanon, Kyrgyz Republic, Vietnam, Jordan
Pot 3: Palestine, India, Bahrain, Thailand, Tajikistan, North Korea, Chinese Taipei, Philippines
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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.
FIGHT CARD
From 5.30pm in the following order:
Featherweight
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Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) v Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
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Welterweight
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
