Baniyas have finally completed the signing of Mark Milligan from Melbourne Victory, the Australian A-League side.
The Abu Dhabi club, who tried to recruit the midfielder twice before, began negotiations with Milligan last month after reportedly activating the AUS$1 million (Dh2.875m) release clause in his previous contract. He has signed a two-year deal.
Milligan's arrival is expected to spark a busy summer period for Baniyas as they attempt to improve on last season's disappointing eighth-place finish in the Arabian Gulf League. The club have already released Denis Stracqualursi and Imad Khalili, while the future of Angel Dealbert remains uncertain. For the moment, Joan Verdu, the playmaker who scored 10 goals during his debut campaign in 2014/15, looks set to stay.
Baniyas have made a bold approach for Robinho, the high-profile Brazilian currently representing his country at the Copa America. Talks have taken place, with a decision to come presumably once the tournament in Chile concludes.
Milligan, though, also represents a relative coup for Baniyas. The former Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets player, 29, captained Melbourne Victory to a win in last month’s A-League Grand Final, a game in which he was voted man of the match.
A defensive midfielder who began his career as a defender, he has experience of playing club football in Asia having previously featured for Japan’s JEF United and Shanghai Shenhua, the Chinese Super League club.
Milligan is a member of the Australian national team and was integral to their successful Asian Cup campaign in January. He played in the semi-final against the UAE, and then the entire final against South Korea, which the Australians won 2-1 after extra-time. Last week, Milligan helped the Socceroos open their 2018 World Cup qualifying account with a 2-1 victory in Kyrgyzstan.
Baniyas, meanwhile, have denied they were ever involved in negotiations for Walid Soliman, the midfielder with Egypt’s Al Ahly. In an official statement released late Monday, the club said they will seek to prosecute whoever forged a letter claiming Baniyas would offer $1.8m (Dh6.6m) for Soliman.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
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1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
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4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
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Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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Sector: Healthcare
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Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
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Bayern Munich 3 Chelsea 2
Bayern: Rafinha (6'), Muller (12', 27')
Chelsea: Alonso (45' 3), Batshuayi (85')
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
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