The UK is considering removing Covid-19 exemptions for unvaccinated sports stars, including Premier League footballers
The UK is considering removing Covid-19 exemptions for unvaccinated sports stars, including Premier League footballers
The UK is considering removing Covid-19 exemptions for unvaccinated sports stars, including Premier League footballers
The UK is considering removing Covid-19 exemptions for unvaccinated sports stars, including Premier League footballers

UK could bar unvaccinated Premier League stars from playing matches


Nicky Harley
  • English
  • Arabic

Sports stars who refuse to have Covid-19 shots could be prevented from playing in the UK under plans being considered by the government.

Presently, sports stars who return to Britain from abroad are exempt from isolating for 10 days, enabling them to train or compete.

But Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries hopes to scrap the exemption for domestic players.

The latest figures released by the Premier League revealed only one in six players had received a vaccination.

It would mean that Premier League clubs playing in European competitions would be unable to select unvaccinated players in the days after their return.

The change would also affect rugby, golf and cycling competitions.

A government source revealed the news to The Telegraph newspaper.

“If you want to have special treatment you’ve got to do your bit to keep others healthy and safe. Getting vaccinated isn’t only about your health but others,” a source told the paper.

Australia has blocked tennis star Novak Djokovic from entering the country to defend his Australian Open title because he has not been immunised against Covid-19.

Court documents revealed on Saturday that the star had recently contracted the coronavirus.

“Thank you people from around the world for your continuous support,” he said on Instagram.

“I can feel it and it is greatly appreciated.”

Serbia's Novak Djokovic (L) holding the Norman Brookes Trophy as he poses with tournament director Craig Tiley after his victory in the men's singles final against Britain's Andy Murray on day 14 of the 2015 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. AFP
Serbia's Novak Djokovic (L) holding the Norman Brookes Trophy as he poses with tournament director Craig Tiley after his victory in the men's singles final against Britain's Andy Murray on day 14 of the 2015 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. AFP

Presently, unvaccinated people arriving into the UK have to self-isolate for 10 days and get a PCR test.

France and Italy announced last month that all professional athletes living there would have to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

“Throughout the pandemic we have put in place measures to allow international sport to continue, while at the same time protecting public health,” a spokesperson for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said.

“We have exemptions for domestic and international sportspeople to leave self-isolation for specified events, but only to train or to compete. They must self-isolate at all other times, and must follow strict protocols in the operation of these events.

“We are committed to international sport continuing and will review the exemptions regime to ensure it is operating effectively and fairly.”

How to register as a donor

1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention

2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants

3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register. 

4) The campaign uses the hashtag  #donate_hope

The story in numbers

18

This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens

450,000

More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps

1.5 million

There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m

73

The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association

18,000

The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme

77,400

The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study

4,926

This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee

Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
  • George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
  • Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
  • Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
  • Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills. 
Hunting park to luxury living
  • Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
  • The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
  • Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds

 

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

A cryptocurrency primer for beginners

Cryptocurrency Investing  for Dummies – by Kiana Danial 

There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine. 

Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.

Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this  book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.

Begin your cryptocurrency journey here. 

Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104 

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The low down on MPS

What is myofascial pain syndrome?

Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (­connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).

What are trigger points?

Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft ­tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and ­sustained posture are the main culprits in developing ­trigger points.

What is myofascial or trigger-point release?

Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle ­sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in ­connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. ­Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.

Updated: January 08, 2022, 3:29 PM