Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is one of eight Premier League players called up by Brazil for October's 2022 World Cup qualifiers. AFP
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is one of eight Premier League players called up by Brazil for October's 2022 World Cup qualifiers. AFP
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is one of eight Premier League players called up by Brazil for October's 2022 World Cup qualifiers. AFP
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is one of eight Premier League players called up by Brazil for October's 2022 World Cup qualifiers. AFP

Jurgen Klopp calls for 'solution' as World Cup quarantine row returns


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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has called for "some kind of solution" to prevent another club-v-country row over Covid quarantine rules for World Cup qualifiers.

Premier League clubs refused to release players earlier this month for matches in countries on the British government's 'red' list because of the 10-day quarantine rule facing returning travellers.

In response, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and three other national associations asked Fifa to bar the players from club duty before withdrawing their request a day before the next round of Premier League fixtures.

Eight Brazilian Premier League players - including Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker and midfielder Fabinho - were called-up by Brazil coach Tite for the next round of 2022 qualifiers in October.

"There must be a solution because we cannot just leave it like this and say it's not a problem. Yes it is a problem," said Klopp.

"I know the relevant people are working on this, but there's nothing decided yet, at least as far as I'm concerned.

"We have a problem when the Brazilians are allowed, or when they go, to the next internationals.

"We have a 12.30 kick-off at Watford [October 16]. The game in Brazil is on Friday night [October 15], so obviously nobody has thought about that yet.

"I just don't know how you can do these kind of things where nobody reacts on the schedule. We have two problems. One is the schedule, it was always a problem.

"TV and other guys, the Premier League, say, 'OK, that's how it is, they have to play, let's have a look how they can sort that'.

"Another thing, it's not good for the players or the clubs as well and I hope the government comes up with some kind of solution."

Fifa president Gianni Infantino and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson discussed the possibility of quarantine exemptions for Premier League players this week.

Manchester City's Ederson and Gabriel Jesus, Fred of Manchester United, Chelsea defender Thiago Silva and Leeds winger Raphinha were also recalled by Brazil on Friday.

Tottenham defender Emerson Royal is also in the squad.

Brazil have won all eight of their qualifiers and play Venezuela on October 7 in Caracas, Colombia in Barranquilla three days later and Uruguay on the October 14 at Manaus.

The three September World Cup games included Brazil's meeting with Argentina in Sao Paulo which was aborted minutes after kick-off over alleged Covid-19 quarantine breaches by Argentina's English-based players.

Norwich v Liverpool ratings

  • NORWICH RATINGS: Angus Gunn - 5. He was let down by his defenders for all three goals. The back line often looked confused and could have done with more direction from the goalkeeper. Reuters
    NORWICH RATINGS: Angus Gunn - 5. He was let down by his defenders for all three goals. The back line often looked confused and could have done with more direction from the goalkeeper. Reuters
  • Bali Mumba - 5. The 19-year-old was keen to get up the pitch but made little impression at either end. He was replaced by Rashica with 21 minutes to go. Reuters
    Bali Mumba - 5. The 19-year-old was keen to get up the pitch but made little impression at either end. He was replaced by Rashica with 21 minutes to go. Reuters
  • Andrew Omobamidele - 5. The Irishman is quick and showed good anticipation but his inexperience was obvious. His distribution needs work. Getty Images
    Andrew Omobamidele - 5. The Irishman is quick and showed good anticipation but his inexperience was obvious. His distribution needs work. Getty Images
  • Grant Hanley - 4. The Scot failed to dominate in the air. His positioning was poor when Origi won the ball to set up the opening goal and he was in no-man’s land for the second. Getty Images
    Grant Hanley - 4. The Scot failed to dominate in the air. His positioning was poor when Origi won the ball to set up the opening goal and he was in no-man’s land for the second. Getty Images
  • Ben Gibson - 4. The centre-back did not have a good night. His pace was exposed, his marking was poor and he looked uncomfortable when his side tried to pass out from the back. Getty Images
    Ben Gibson - 4. The centre-back did not have a good night. His pace was exposed, his marking was poor and he looked uncomfortable when his side tried to pass out from the back. Getty Images
  • Dimitris Giannoulis - 5. The Greek was ambitious going forward and, along with Tzolis, tested the Liverpool right. His presence in the box earned his team the penalty. Reuters
    Dimitris Giannoulis - 5. The Greek was ambitious going forward and, along with Tzolis, tested the Liverpool right. His presence in the box earned his team the penalty. Reuters
  • Billy Gilmour - 4. The man on loan from Chelsea showed some nice touches but was pressed heavily by the opposition and did not cope. He lost Minamino on the opening goal. Getty Images
    Billy Gilmour - 4. The man on loan from Chelsea showed some nice touches but was pressed heavily by the opposition and did not cope. He lost Minamino on the opening goal. Getty Images
  • Lukas Rupp - 4. The German could not impose himself on the midfield. The play bypassed him and he did little when on the ball. He shot wide in the second half when he might have fed Pukki. Reuters
    Lukas Rupp - 4. The German could not impose himself on the midfield. The play bypassed him and he did little when on the ball. He shot wide in the second half when he might have fed Pukki. Reuters
  • Pierre Lees-Melou - 4. The Frenchman was anonymous in the first half but found the spotlight in the worst possible way in at the start of the second half, blazing over the bar when free in the box. Reuters
    Pierre Lees-Melou - 4. The Frenchman was anonymous in the first half but found the spotlight in the worst possible way in at the start of the second half, blazing over the bar when free in the box. Reuters
  • Christos Tzolis - 3. The 19-year-old put too much power on an early cross that should have brought a quick equaliser. His movement was good but his crossing was poor. Missed a very poorly-taken penalty. Taken off for Pukki in the 69th minute. Reuters
    Christos Tzolis - 3. The 19-year-old put too much power on an early cross that should have brought a quick equaliser. His movement was good but his crossing was poor. Missed a very poorly-taken penalty. Taken off for Pukki in the 69th minute. Reuters
  • Adam Idah - 4. The Irishman was wasteful in possession. He had a couple of chances from the edge of the box but shot tamely each time. AFP
    Adam Idah - 4. The Irishman was wasteful in possession. He had a couple of chances from the edge of the box but shot tamely each time. AFP
  • SUB: Teemu Pukki - 5. The Finn was brought on at the expense of Tzolis with 21 minutes to go to try and fashion a revival for his team. It did not work. He screwed his one shot wide. Getty Images
    SUB: Teemu Pukki - 5. The Finn was brought on at the expense of Tzolis with 21 minutes to go to try and fashion a revival for his team. It did not work. He screwed his one shot wide. Getty Images
  • SUB: Milot Rashica - 4. Came on for Mumba with 21 minutes left. The Croat did not look like a wing back and made little impression. Getty Images
    SUB: Milot Rashica - 4. Came on for Mumba with 21 minutes left. The Croat did not look like a wing back and made little impression. Getty Images
  • SUB: Kieran Dowell - 4. The former Everton man replaced Lees-Melou with 13 minutes left. The most memorable thing about his outing was the abuse aimed at him from the Liverpool fans. Reuters
    SUB: Kieran Dowell - 4. The former Everton man replaced Lees-Melou with 13 minutes left. The most memorable thing about his outing was the abuse aimed at him from the Liverpool fans. Reuters
  • LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Caoimhin Kelleher - 8. The Irishman was secure throughout, rapid off his line and he capped the night with a fine penalty save. AFP
    LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Caoimhin Kelleher - 8. The Irishman was secure throughout, rapid off his line and he capped the night with a fine penalty save. AFP
  • Conor Bradley - 6. The 18-year-old made some errors on his debut but they were balanced by a confident approach and plenty of skill. He bounced back after giving away the penalty. Reuters
    Conor Bradley - 6. The 18-year-old made some errors on his debut but they were balanced by a confident approach and plenty of skill. He bounced back after giving away the penalty. Reuters
  • Ibrahima Konate - 6. A powerful presence in defence and in the opposing box for set-pieces. He could be better in possession. AFP
    Ibrahima Konate - 6. A powerful presence in defence and in the opposing box for set-pieces. He could be better in possession. AFP
  • Joe Gomez - 7. The 24-year-old came out on top in the battle with Idah. He produced a brilliant follow-up block after the saved penalty. AFP
    Joe Gomez - 7. The 24-year-old came out on top in the battle with Idah. He produced a brilliant follow-up block after the saved penalty. AFP
  • Konstantinos Tsimikas - 8. The Greek was excellent, raiding down the line and pinging in corners, one of which led to the first goal. His cross for the second was sublime. EPA
    Konstantinos Tsimikas - 8. The Greek was excellent, raiding down the line and pinging in corners, one of which led to the first goal. His cross for the second was sublime. EPA
  • Curtis Jones - 7. The 20-year-old showed his versatility and discipline when sitting deep. When pushed forward he produced a real threat. Getty Images
    Curtis Jones - 7. The 20-year-old showed his versatility and discipline when sitting deep. When pushed forward he produced a real threat. Getty Images
  • Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 5. The Englishman is struggling to find a coherent role. There were sparks that suggested he was close to his best but too many flat spots in his game. AFP
    Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 5. The Englishman is struggling to find a coherent role. There were sparks that suggested he was close to his best but too many flat spots in his game. AFP
  • Naby Keita - 7. The Guinean was central to his team’s control of the midfield in the first half and did his job with quiet efficiency. Taken off at half time to give Morton a runout. Getty Images
    Naby Keita - 7. The Guinean was central to his team’s control of the midfield in the first half and did his job with quiet efficiency. Taken off at half time to give Morton a runout. Getty Images
  • Kaide Gordon - 7. A confident performance on debut from the 16-year-old, who showed an eagerness to run at the defence. An impressive start. Getty Images
    Kaide Gordon - 7. A confident performance on debut from the 16-year-old, who showed an eagerness to run at the defence. An impressive start. Getty Images
  • Divock Origi - 8. The Belgian looked the essence of a target man when he drew three defenders and won the ball for Minamino to strike early on. He confirmed that impression with a splendid header to double the score. Getty Images
    Divock Origi - 8. The Belgian looked the essence of a target man when he drew three defenders and won the ball for Minamino to strike early on. He confirmed that impression with a splendid header to double the score. Getty Images
  • Takumi Minamino - 8. The Japanese scored twice and showed intelligent movement. He will have to be more effective tracking back to break into the first XI, though. AFP
    Takumi Minamino - 8. The Japanese scored twice and showed intelligent movement. He will have to be more effective tracking back to break into the first XI, though. AFP
  • SUB: Tyler Morton - 7. The 18-year-old replaced Keita at half time. He took on the responsibility of playing deep in the midfield, a tough role for a youngster making his debut. Getty Images)
    SUB: Tyler Morton - 7. The 18-year-old replaced Keita at half time. He took on the responsibility of playing deep in the midfield, a tough role for a youngster making his debut. Getty Images)
  • SUB: Andrew Robertson - 6. Joined the action in the 66th minute when Tsimikas was withdrawn. Apart from one wild, misplaced ball across the face of goal, the Scot was his usual solid self. Getty Images
    SUB: Andrew Robertson - 6. Joined the action in the 66th minute when Tsimikas was withdrawn. Apart from one wild, misplaced ball across the face of goal, the Scot was his usual solid self. Getty Images
  • SUB: Jordan Henderson - 5. Given three minutes of action when Jones was substituted. He was as eager as ever. Getty Images
    SUB: Jordan Henderson - 5. Given three minutes of action when Jones was substituted. He was as eager as ever. Getty Images
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

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The essentials

What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature

When: Friday until March 9

Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City

Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.

Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.

Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
 

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

UAE%20set%20for%20Scotland%20series
%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20will%20host%20Scotland%20for%20a%20three-match%20T20I%20series%20at%20the%20Dubai%20International%20Stadium%20next%20month.%3Cbr%3EThe%20two%20sides%20will%20start%20their%20Cricket%20World%20Cup%20League%202%20campaigns%20with%20a%20tri-series%20also%20involving%20Canada%2C%20starting%20on%20January%2029.%3Cbr%3EThat%20series%20will%20be%20followed%20by%20a%20bilateral%20T20%20series%20on%20March%2011%2C%2013%20and%2014.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Stormy seas

Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.

We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice. 

WandaVision

Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany

Directed by: Matt Shakman

Rating: Four stars

Updated: September 25, 2021, 9:34 AM