Magor League Soccer side Montreal Impact on Friday denied that striker Didier Drogba had been contacted about a return to Premier League club Chelsea, in turmoil since sacking manager Jose Mourinho.
“The rumour about Didier Drogba is unfounded,” Major League Soccer’s Impact posted on their official Twitter account. “No contact has been made with the club or him.”
The magazine Jeune Afrique reported Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich called 37-year-old Drogba hours after Mourinho parted ways the with the club on Thursday regarding a possible return to his old club.
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Drogba won four league titles with Chelsea and a Uefa Champions League crown in 2012.
Drogba, who scored 12 goals in 14 matches for Montreal after signing with the MLS club in July, said last month he was open to the idea of training with Chelsea to maintain his fitness if Montreal agreed.
But at the same time, the Ivory Coast striker doused speculation that he might follow in the footsteps of such former MLS players as David Beckham or Thierry Henry, who inked short-term loan deals to play in Europe in the North American league’s off-season.
“I’m not too hot on that idea,” he said, adding that he was committed to fulfilling the remaining season on his MLS contract next year.
Chelsea, who won a Premier League and League Cup double last season, are currently 16th place in the Premier League, two places and one point above the relegation zone after nine defeats in 16 games.
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Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
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Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Closing the loophole on sugary drinks
As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.
The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed:
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Favourite things
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University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
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
