Chris Wilder believes it was “the least they could do” for Sheffield United’s players and coaching staff to take a pay deferral to help the club through the coronavirus pandemic.
The promoted club’s entire squad, along with Wilder and his backroom team and chief executive Stephen Bettis, have agreed to defer 10 per cent of their wages for six months, even though they were one of the worst-paid teams in the Premier League.
Wilder said the rest of United’s financial decisions, including their summer transfer budget, are up in the air as contract talks with players have been postponed.
But he praised his players for their willingness to defer some of their current salary, saying: “It’s the least we could do to play our part. Myself, the staff and the players have been in negotiations about it, through [captain] Billy [Sharp] as well.
“It’s important we look after the club in the right way. I’ve had some lovely messages but it’s not a huge deal. The players have handled it magnificently. In six months, there could be a situation where this helps the club. The club is at its most powerful and gained momentum when it has been together.”
United are seventh in the Premier League and Wilder is adamant that the season should not be abandoned if at all possible.
He explained: “I believe we should finish the season off when it is safe and healthy to do so. There are too many experts in the field to risk the health and safety of people, let alone professional footballers.
"I don’t think we should be talking about starting another season when one hasn’t finished. From a morale point of view, I’m sure when we get football back it’ll give everyone a big morale boost.”
United, who are still in the FA Cup, have 10 league matches remaining and Wilder is unconcerned about the prospect of playing them in relatively quick succession.
“Just get the games completed and get the good news out there. I’ve heard some people moaning about playing two games a week. Liverpool have been doing it for about three years, so have Man City, so have Wolves,” he explained.
“If it’s at a neutral venue, why not, as long as we get back out there playing and give everybody a focus and purpose to our way back to normality.”
United’s John Lundstram and Phil Jagielka’s deals end in June, along with three loanees, including the in-form goalkeeper Dean Henderson, but Wilder thinks such issues can be resolved.
“From a legal point of view there will be discussions, but I don’t see it as a huge problem,” he said. “If I spoke to Jags in 20 minutes and said ‘we are going to extend your contract by a month, it's up to you,’ I know 100 per cent what his decision will be.”
United were in talks about new deals with Lundstram, Oliver Norwood and Chris Basham before football shut down but Wilder said: “They’ve been put on hold.
"Things like that can quickly be picked up and I’m sure they will be. I don’t think it’s right for players and agents to talk to us about contracts with the situation we’re going through: the economy, what it’s doing to small and big businesses, how much investments and savings have taken a hit and how far it has taken us back from an economical point of view.”
United spent a club record £22 million (Dh99.7m) on Sander Berge in January but Wilder is unsure how much money he will have to spend now.
He added: “Financially, we’ve talked about budgets for the summer, we don’t know if they will be affected in these uncertain times.”
Squads
Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Babar Azam (vc), Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hasnain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka, Angelo Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara
End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
Terminator: Dark Fate
Director: Tim Miller
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Mackenzie Davis
Rating: 3/5
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
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.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
The Matrix Resurrections
Director: Lana Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick
Rating:****
