BERLIN // New Arsenal signing Mesut Ozil admits that he had no intention of leaving Real Madrid until realising that he risked being left on the sidelines in the Spanish capital.
Ozil saw Gareth Bale complete his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to the Santiago Bernabeu earlier on Monday before agreeing to move to the Emirates Stadium for a reported £42.4 million (Dh242.3m).
And the Germany playmaker later said in an interview with the German Football Association's official website he agreed to the move after it became clear that he no longer figured in the plans of Carlo Ancelotti, the Madrid manager.
"At that moment [a few days ago], I was certain that I would stay at Real Madrid, but afterwards I realised that the coach and the board no longer had confidence in me," he said.
"I am a player who needs that confidence and the possibility came up to go to Arsenal, which is why I chose to go there."
Now he is looking forward to linking up with international colleagues such as Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski in north London, as well as working for Arsene Wenger, Arsenal's German-speaking manager.
"Arsene Wenger showed confidence in me and now I will be able to continue progressing as a player. I want to be on top form for the World Cup," the former Schalke and Werder Bremen player said.
"I spoke to him for a long time on the telephone and he explained to me how he thinks football should be played.
"Naturally, I am delighted to now be able to play with Podolski and Mertesacker. I am really satisfied with this new challenge, I know already that they have brilliant supporters, that the stadium is super and that there is class in the team."
Ozil, 24, is currently with the Germany squad preparing for the World Cup qualifying double-header against Austria on Friday in Munich and the Faroe Islands away next Tuesday.
His Arsenal debut could come in their next Premier League fixture, at Sunderland on September 14.
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Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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Saudi Arabia 1-0 Japan
Saudi Arabia Al Muwallad 63’
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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Asian Champions League, last 16, first leg:
Al Jazira 3 Persepolis 2
Second leg:
Monday, Azizi Stadium, Tehran. Kick off 7pm
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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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