Pep Guardiola does not believe time wasting will be solved by adding more minutes to matches. AFP
Pep Guardiola does not believe time wasting will be solved by adding more minutes to matches. AFP
Pep Guardiola does not believe time wasting will be solved by adding more minutes to matches. AFP
Pep Guardiola does not believe time wasting will be solved by adding more minutes to matches. AFP

Guardiola unsure of new added time rule after Man City's loss to Arsenal: 'It's too much'


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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola appeared to question the decision by football lawmakers to increase the amount of injury time after his side conceded a 101st-minute equaliser in their Community Shield defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.

City led through Cole Palmer's fine finish in the 77th minute and looked on course for victory at Wembley, only for Leandro Trossard to level for Arsenal in the 11th minute of stoppage time. The Gunners then sealed the victory on penalties.

The increased injury time will be common in English football this season after the International Football Association Board (Ifab) announced plans earlier this year to "create fairer conditions for both teams in terms of the amount of time available in a match".

It was tested at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and was generally a success, but Guardiola admitted he has his doubts, particularly when it comes to the wellbeing of players.

"It's a lot of games and every time you add eight or 10 minutes it's a … but listen, they never consult our opinions, the people in world football, managers or players," the City manager said.

"Now, every game we're going to play for 100 minutes. Wasting time, from my point of view, it is not going to be solved by extending 10 more minutes. It's more tiring for the players. It's too much."

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta took a different stance after his side benefitted from the additional minutes.

"At the end, it's about effective time. I think it's really good to do that, because it was going too far I think and now teams are going to have to think twice," he said. "Now we have to be prepared to play 100 minutes because it's going to happen every single week."

Another major rule change – in which players will receive yellow cards for delaying the restart of play or not retreating the necessary distance at a free-kick – also played a significant role in Sunday's Community Shield.

Arsenal v Man City - Community Shield player ratings

  • ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale - 8. Made a couple of great saves from John Stones and Phil Foden to keep his side in the contest. Saved Rodri's penalty in the shoot-out. AFP
    ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale - 8. Made a couple of great saves from John Stones and Phil Foden to keep his side in the contest. Saved Rodri's penalty in the shoot-out. AFP
  • Ben White - 7. Edged his contest with England teammate Jack Grealish. Creative going forward. Getty
    Ben White - 7. Edged his contest with England teammate Jack Grealish. Creative going forward. Getty
  • William Saliba - 7. Managed to keep Haaland under wraps before the Norwegian was subbed. Will play a key role this season. Getty
    William Saliba - 7. Managed to keep Haaland under wraps before the Norwegian was subbed. Will play a key role this season. Getty
  • Gabriel - 7. Linked up well with Saliba to help keep both Haaland and Alvarez fairly quiet. Reuters
    Gabriel - 7. Linked up well with Saliba to help keep both Haaland and Alvarez fairly quiet. Reuters
  • Jurrien Timber - 7. Good block to deny Cole Palmer. A solid debut for his new club. Reuters
    Jurrien Timber - 7. Good block to deny Cole Palmer. A solid debut for his new club. Reuters
  • Martin Odegaard -7. Some assured touches but was unable to really hurt City with his creative play. Good penalty to get the shoot-out rolling. AP
    Martin Odegaard -7. Some assured touches but was unable to really hurt City with his creative play. Good penalty to get the shoot-out rolling. AP
  • Thomas Partey - 6. Put in a decent shift. Ended up with his head bandaged after a clash with Walker. AFP
    Thomas Partey - 6. Put in a decent shift. Ended up with his head bandaged after a clash with Walker. AFP
  • Declan Rice - 7. Grew into things as the game went on. His stamina will be a big asset for his new club. AFP
    Declan Rice - 7. Grew into things as the game went on. His stamina will be a big asset for his new club. AFP
  • Bukayo Saka - 7. Shot just wide in the first half. A lively display. Buried his penalty. EPA
    Bukayo Saka - 7. Shot just wide in the first half. A lively display. Buried his penalty. EPA
  • Kai Havertz - 6. Missed a couple of good chances. AP
    Kai Havertz - 6. Missed a couple of good chances. AP
  • Gabriel Martinelli - 6. Held the ball up well at times. Grew into the match before he was subbed. AP
    Gabriel Martinelli - 6. Held the ball up well at times. Grew into the match before he was subbed. AP
  • SUBSTITUTES: Leandro Trossard (Martinelli, 75') - 6. His twice-deflected shot kept his side in the contest. Lucky, but it did the trick. Getty
    SUBSTITUTES: Leandro Trossard (Martinelli, 75') - 6. His twice-deflected shot kept his side in the contest. Lucky, but it did the trick. Getty
  • Kieran Tierney (Timber 76') - 5. Let Cole Palmer in for City's goal. AFP
    Kieran Tierney (Timber 76') - 5. Let Cole Palmer in for City's goal. AFP
  • Eddie Nketiah (Rice, 80') - N/A. Emile Smith-Rowe (Gabriel, 87') - N/A. AFP
    Eddie Nketiah (Rice, 80') - N/A. Emile Smith-Rowe (Gabriel, 87') - N/A. AFP
  • Fabio Vieira (Havertz, 87') - N/A. Getty
    Fabio Vieira (Havertz, 87') - N/A. Getty
  • MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Stefan Ortega - 7. Made a couple of good first-half saves to deny Havertz. His distribution was a bit dodgy. AP
    MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Stefan Ortega - 7. Made a couple of good first-half saves to deny Havertz. His distribution was a bit dodgy. AP
  • Kyle Walker - 6. Skippered the team and turned in a committed performance. Getty
    Kyle Walker - 6. Skippered the team and turned in a committed performance. Getty
  • John Stones - 7. Great block to deny Martinelli. Positive on the ball. PA
    John Stones - 7. Great block to deny Martinelli. Positive on the ball. PA
  • Ruben Dias - 6. Defended solidly with his trademark composure. AP
    Ruben Dias - 6. Defended solidly with his trademark composure. AP
  • Manuel Akanji - 6. Linked up well with Jack Grealish on the left-hand side. Found Saka a handful at times. PA
    Manuel Akanji - 6. Linked up well with Jack Grealish on the left-hand side. Found Saka a handful at times. PA
  • Rodri - 6. Couple of decent chances but a little sloppy at times. PA
    Rodri - 6. Couple of decent chances but a little sloppy at times. PA
  • Mateo Kovacic - 8. An impressive performance in protecting the back four and spraying some nice passes. Getty
    Mateo Kovacic - 8. An impressive performance in protecting the back four and spraying some nice passes. Getty
  • Bernardo Silva - 6. Put in some mileage but a bit unambitious. PA
    Bernardo Silva - 6. Put in some mileage but a bit unambitious. PA
  • Julian Alvarez - 6. A few nice touches but maybe not enough to cement a starting place. AP
    Julian Alvarez - 6. A few nice touches but maybe not enough to cement a starting place. AP
  • Jack Grealish - 5. A quiet game. Off after 57 minutes. AFP
    Jack Grealish - 5. A quiet game. Off after 57 minutes. AFP
  • Erling Haaland - 5. Understandably, not back up to full speed. Hauled off in the 64th minute. EPA
    Erling Haaland - 5. Understandably, not back up to full speed. Hauled off in the 64th minute. EPA
  • SUBSTITUTES: Phil Foden (Grealish, 57') - 7. Played a part in City's goal and almost grabbed one himself. EPA
    SUBSTITUTES: Phil Foden (Grealish, 57') - 7. Played a part in City's goal and almost grabbed one himself. EPA
  • Kevin De Bruyne (Kovacic, 64') - 7. Had a real impact when he entered the fray. Hit the bar with his penalty, though. Reuters
    Kevin De Bruyne (Kovacic, 64') - 7. Had a real impact when he entered the fray. Hit the bar with his penalty, though. Reuters
  • Cole Palmer (Haaland, 64') - 7. Superbly taken goal after he came on. PA
    Cole Palmer (Haaland, 64') - 7. Superbly taken goal after he came on. PA

Both Arsenal's Thomas Partey and City's Julian Alvarez were booked for kicking the ball away after the referee blew for free kicks.

Meanwhile, managers and coaches will need to tread more carefully this season in their interactions with referees and assistant referees, with a new rule stating they "must not confront, invade the personal space of, or make physical contact with the match officials".

"We are going to get used to it," Arteta said. "It's very difficult to change habits straight away but that's the demands they are putting on us.

"We are going to have to train for it and be ready for it because, if not, we will be playing without 11 players and a manager on the touchline very often."

City begin their Premier League title defence away to promoted Burnley on Friday, while Arsenal host Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

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.

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SPECS
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Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari

A little about CVRL

Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.

One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases. 

The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery. 

Australia men's Test cricket fixtures 2021/22

One-off Test v Afghanistan:
Nov 27-Dec 1: Blundstone Arena, Hobart

The Ashes v England:
Dec 8-12: 1st Test, Gabba, Brisbane
Dec 16-20: 2nd Test, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (day/night)
Dec 26-30: 3rd Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Jan 5-9, 2022: 4th Test, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Jan 14-18: 5th Test, Optus Stadium, Perth

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

Tickets

Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.

What is Folia?

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.

Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."

Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.

In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love". 

There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.

While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."

Company%20Profile
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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Saturday

Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm kick-off UAE)

Bayer Leverkusen v Schalke (5.30pm)

Wolfsburg v Cologne (5.30pm)

Mainz v Arminia Bielefeld (5.30pm)

Augsburg v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)

RB Leipzig v Bayern Munich (8.30pm)

Borussia Monchengladbach v Freiburg (10.30pm)

Sunday

VfB Stuttgart v Werder Bremen  (5.30pm)

Union Berlin v Hertha Berlin (8pm)

Countries offering golden visas

UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.

Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.

Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.

Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.

Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence. 

'Worse than a prison sentence'

Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.

“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.

“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.

“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.

“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”

Updated: September 25, 2023, 8:47 AM