Fabio Capello, the England coach, looks to have finally settled on his World Cup goalkeeper after handing David James the No 1 shirt to wear in South Africa.
The 39-year-old James, who arrived with the rest of the 23-man squad in Johannesburg yesterday, has been hampered by injury problems and made his first international start in 13 months in Sunday's 2-1 victory over Japan in a friendly.
Capello appears to have gone with experience by favouring James, who has been capped 50 times and was first-choice goalkeeper at Euro 2004 in Portugal, but lost his place to Paul Robinson at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
However, James, the Portsmouth custodian, said he will be reading nothing into the squad numbering situation.
"For every qualifying match that I've started, it's not until the team sheet has been lifted that you're guaranteed to be playing," he told reporters.
If the squad numbering does reflect Capello's preferences, it would be a blow for West Ham's Robert Green who has started eight of the past 11 England matches and now has to settle for the No 12 shirt. Manchester City's Joe Hart, the least experienced of the three, is the other goalkeeper.
The England squad were greeted by Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi, who is king of the Bafokeng tribe, on their arrival in South Africa.
"I hope the World Cup will be a big success for South Africa and also for my team," Capello said.
Meanwhile, Kim-Jong Hun's decision to name Myong-Won Kim, a striker, as one of his three goalkeepers for the World Cup has backfired after Fifa told the North Korea coach that Kim will now only be able to play in goal.
Hun decided to name only two regular goalkeepers in his squad with Kim as the back-up.
It was seen as an attempt to boost the nation's attacking options as they prepare to face Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal in Group G.
In a statement, Fifa said: "The squad lists the teams had provided to Fifa by June 1, 2010 are final and can no longer be changed. The only exception is in the case of a serious injury of a player in the list of 23, who could be replaced up until 24 hours before the first match of the team in the competition. The three players listed as goalkeepers can only play as goalkeepers during the World Cup and cannot play outfield."
Katlego Mphela said yesterday he is ready to pick up the mantle as the leader of South Africa's attack for the World Cup.
After the omission of Benni McCarthy, the country's all-time leading scorer, Mphela is the player the hosts will turn to for goals starting with next Friday's opening match against Mexico in Johannesburg.
"It does put a bit of pressure on my shoulders but I can handle it," the Mamelodi Sundowns striker told Reuters. Mphela has been the main frontman in South Africa's recent warm-up matches.
"The coach [Carlos Alberto Perreira] plays me each game which means he has faith in me and believes in me."
* Agencies
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Brief scores:
Kashima Antlers 0
River Plate 4
Zuculini 24', Martinez 73', 90 2', Borre 89' (pen)
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Dubai World Cup prize money
Group 1 (Purebred Arabian) 2000m Dubai Kahayla Classic - $750,000
Group 2 1,600m(Dirt) Godolphin Mile - $750,000
Group 2 3,200m (Turf) Dubai Gold Cup – $750,000
Group 1 1,200m (Turf) Al Quoz Sprint – $1,000,000
Group 2 1,900m(Dirt) UAE Derby – $750,000
Group 1 1,200m (Dirt) Dubai Golden Shaheen – $1,500,000
Group 1 1,800m (Turf) Dubai Turf – $4,000,000
Group 1 2,410m (Turf) Dubai Sheema Classic – $5,000,000
Group 1 2,000m (Dirt) Dubai World Cup– $12,000,000
Match info
Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
THE LOWDOWN
Romeo Akbar Walter
Rating: 2/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Robby Grewal
Cast: John Abraham, Mouni Roy, Jackie Shroff and Sikandar Kher
Tips for avoiding trouble online
- Do not post incorrect information and beware of fake news
- Do not publish or repost racist or hate speech, yours or anyone else’s
- Do not incite violence and be careful how to phrase what you want to say
- Do not defame anyone. Have a difference of opinion with someone? Don’t attack them on social media
- Do not forget your children and monitor their online activities
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
No Shame
Lily Allen
(Parlophone)
New schools in Dubai
