Spain manager Luis Enrique (L) leads a training session at Ciudad del Futbol in Las Rozas, Madrid. EPA
Spain manager Luis Enrique (L) leads a training session at Ciudad del Futbol in Las Rozas, Madrid. EPA
Spain manager Luis Enrique (L) leads a training session at Ciudad del Futbol in Las Rozas, Madrid. EPA
Spain manager Luis Enrique (L) leads a training session at Ciudad del Futbol in Las Rozas, Madrid. EPA

Spain call up five players to train in parallel bubble as precaution after Sergio Busquets's positive Covid-19 test


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Spain have called up five players to take part in a parallel training bubble following captain Sergio Busquets's positive Covid-19 test, the team said on Monday.

Spain later confirmed that the other squad members and backroom staff had all tested negative and trained individually earlier in the day.

The additions - Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds United), Pablo Fornals (West Ham United), Carlos Soler (Valencia), Brais Mendez (Celta Vigo) and Raul Albiol (Villarreal) - will not stay at Spain's Las Rozas training base or be involved with the rest of the squad.

"As a provision to the possible consequences that could come from Sergio Busquets's positive test, the coaching staff have decided to call up a group of four players to complement the training sessions over the next few days under the guidance of (manager) Luis Enrique in a parallel bubble," Spain said in a statement.

Spain are due to face Lithuania in a friendly on Tuesday with their Under-21 squad, who have just finished playing in their own European Championship where they reached the semi-finals, and coach Luis de la Fuente stepping in to fill the gap left by the isolating senior set-up.

"Once the game with Lithuania has finished, a small group of players yet to be determined will join training in a similar fashion to the aforementioned new group.

"Their incorporation into the squad for Euro 2020 will depend on the results that come back over the next few days."

Spain play Sweden in their Group E opener next Monday.

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All the Euro 2020 kits ranked from worst to best

  • 24) Austria. Getty Images
    24) Austria. Getty Images
  • 23) Czech Republic. Getty Images
    23) Czech Republic. Getty Images
  • 22) North Macedonia. Jako
    22) North Macedonia. Jako
  • 21) Hungary. Getty Images
    21) Hungary. Getty Images
  • 20) Turkey. Getty Images
    20) Turkey. Getty Images
  • 19) Ukraine. Getty Images/AFP
    19) Ukraine. Getty Images/AFP
  • 18) Sweden. Getty Images
    18) Sweden. Getty Images
  • 17) Portugal. Getty Images
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  • 16) Wales. Getty Images
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  • 15) England. Getty Images
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  • 14) Poland. Getty Images
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  • 13) Russia. Getty Images/AFP
    13) Russia. Getty Images/AFP
  • 12) Croatia. Getty Images
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  • 11) Scotland. Getty Images
    11) Scotland. Getty Images
  • 10) Spain. Getty Images/Reuters
    10) Spain. Getty Images/Reuters
  • 9) Switzerland. AFP/Puma
    9) Switzerland. AFP/Puma
  • 8) Netherlands. Getty Images/Nike
    8) Netherlands. Getty Images/Nike
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  • 6) Belgium. Getty Images
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  • 5) Slovakia. Getty Images
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  • 4) Denmark. Getty Images
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  • 3) Finland. Getty Images/Nike
    3) Finland. Getty Images/Nike
  • 2) Germany. Getty Images
    2) Germany. Getty Images
  • 1) Italy. Getty Images/Puma
    1) Italy. Getty Images/Puma
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Election pledges on migration

CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections" 

SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom" 

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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.

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Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
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World Cricket League Division 2

In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.

UAE fixtures

Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final

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Ukraine

Capital: Kiev

Population: 44.13 million

Armed conflict in Donbass

Russia-backed fighters control territory

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