Tuesday, 29 July 2014

UK temporarily bans PIA's cargo service, forces airline to suspend EU deliveries

The ban came unexpectedly as British Transportation Department has 'validated' the airline's operations just last month, a PIA spokesperson said. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: British authorities on Monday imposed a temporary ban on cargo service of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), forcing the national carrier to suspend delivery of goods to the entire European Union, officials said. 
The ban was unexpected after the British Transportation Department had ‘validated’ the airline’s operations just last month, a PIA spokesperson said.
“We are contesting their decision. Our officials met British counterparts in London today to try and figure out what has happened,” PIA spokesperson Mashhood Tajwar said.
After last months validation, another team of English experts was supposed to visit Pakistan to give the final nod of approval to the airline. Instead, a decision to stop the airline’s cargo service was taken.
As per EU protocols, the assessment of the British officials will be accepted by all the members of European Union.
The temporary ban follows a deadly attack on Karachi airport and another aircraft coming under attack while landing at Peshawar airport. But PIA officials claim that it was strange that no such restriction has been imposed on other private airlines operating out of Pakistan.
A delegation of PIA officials led by Director Flight Operations Salman Azhar are now expected to take up the issue with officials in England on July 31.
PIA does not have any dedicated plane for cargo. But it uses Boeing-777 and Airbus-310 aircrafts to haul cargo overseas.
The airlines’ has a cargo business to EU of around Rs2 billion.

Di María: record sale

Di María: record sale
PABLO POLO. LOS ANGELES07/28/2014
Ángel di Maríacould soon become Real Madrid's record sale. PSG's signing of the player is virtually a done deal and if we include variables, the French club might end up forking out up to €80 million for the player. If this proves to be the case, this deal beats that of Mesut Özil's move to Arsenal , who was sold for 50 million.
As MARCA previously revealed, the only problem that was in the way of the previously agreed on deal was the Fair Financial Play sanction that was hovering over PSG. The French club had already spent €50 million on David Luiz - all that UEFA would allow, and needed to sell a player to put the balance right.
The more than probable sale of Cavani to Manchester United has freed up money for the Di María transfer to go ahead, giving the green light on Real Madrid's most lucrative deal to date.
On the one hand, the express desire of the player to leave has been key in Real's decision to accept an initial fee of €70 million. The club knows that it is a historic amount, but that said, many at the Bernabéu - Ancelotti included -, wanted the Argentine to stay, as he was an important and central part of the Italian manager's team.

Big European teams want Reus, claims agent


Big European teams want Reus, claims agent

The versatile attacker's representative has refused to rule out a summer transfer amid interest from several big clubs
Marco Reus' agent Dirk Hebel has claimed that a number of major European teams are closely monitoring his client's situation at Borussia Dortmund with a view to a potential transfer.

The Germany international has a contract with BVB until June 2017, but he's available for a limited fee release clause of €35 million in the summer of 2015.

Dortmund are keen to hold on to Reus, though, and have offered the 25-year-old a payrise in an attempt to convince him to agreeing to remove the buyout clause from his current deal.

However, contract talks have so far been unsuccessful and the attacker's representative has refused to rule out a move elsewhere.

"Marco would make any big European team stronger," Hebel was quoted as saying by Bild

"That's why it's completely normal that a number of these major European teams are interested in signing him. 

"But his main priority for now is to get back to top fitness and return to the pitch. Everything else is not important at this stage."

Reus, who missed Germany's successful World Cup campaign due to injury, has been linked with clubs such as Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Liverpool in the past few months.

Mourinho: Modric rejected Chelsea move

Mourinho: Modric rejected Chelsea move
The Portuguese worked with the midfielder during his time at Real Madrid and was keen to lure the 28-year-old to Stamford Bridge
Jose Mourinho has revealed he approached Luka Modric about a possible move to Chelsea but the Croatia international rejected him to stay at Real Madrid.

The 28-year-old midfielder joined the Spanish club from Tottenham in 2012 and worked under Mourinho for a season before the Portuguese left for Chelsea.

Reports have suggested that the pair could be reunited at Stamford Bridge this summer but Mourinho claims Modric will remain at Madrid.

"I called Modric only privately but he doesn't want [to join] Chelsea,” Mourinho told Croatian newspaperSportske Novosti.

"You know I really appreciate Luka Modric and his qualities. But he stays in Real Madrid.”

Modric made 49 appearances in all competitions for Madrid last season, scoring two goals and providing eight assists, while Manchester United have also been linked with a bid for the 28-year-old

Dortmund will struggle to hold on to Reus, says Rummenigge


Dortmund will struggle to hold on to Reus, says Rummenigge

The former West Germany international believes the Signal Iduna Park side will find it difficult to resist offers for the attacker after he rejected a new contract with the club
Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes Borussia Dortmund will face a tough battle to hold on to star player Marco Reus.

On Tuesday, German newspaper Bild reported that the 25-year-old rejected the opportunity to sign a new contract in order to engineer a move elsewhere.

The German international has a reported €35 million buyout clause in his current contract, which expires in 2017, and is being chased by some of Europe’s top clubs, including Manchester United and Barcelona.

Bayern are also thought to be interested in the attacker, who has scored 30 goals in 62 appearances since he joined BVB in 2012, and Rummenigge thinks Reus’ intention is clear following his decision not to extend his current dea at Signal Iduna Park.

"I think that it is hard for Borussia Dortmund,” Rummenigge told Bild.

“Europe’s top clubs will be very interested to find out Reus’ buyout clause [after he rejected a new contract] as the player is in high demand from a lot of big clubs other than FC Bayern Munich.”

The 25-year-old Reus missed this summer’s World Cup after he picked up an ankle ligament injury, but he has recently returned to light running and he hopes to make a full recovery by the start of the 2014-15 season.

Sunday, 27 July 2014

Ancelotti: James an investment for Madrid

Ancelotti: James an investment for Madrid
The World Cup star arrives at Real Madrid next month but is already being considered as an important figure in both the club’s present and future
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says James Rodriguez is an "investment for the future" for the Champions League winners.

The Blancos faced Inter on Saturday and took the lead after 10 minutes, as Gareth Bale fired home from outside the box, but the Italian giants fought back from the penalty spot as Mauro Icardi clipped the ball home when Nemanja Vidic was fouled in the box.

Following the 1-1 result, which Inter won on penalties, Ancelotti assessed his squad’s attacking players and looked forward to the arrival of €80 million man James.

"He arrives on August 1," Ancelotti told reporters. "He is a very important player. He has the quality to play in our team.

"He is a very young player. He is an investment for the future."

With James and Toni Kroos already signed, Radamel Falcao is believed to be the next target for the Blancos but the coach denied that the club are pursuing a striker this summer as he perceives the club have plenty of attackers.

"In our current template, we can play excellently with several options," he began, "First, we have Benzema who is very reliable.

"Isco can play a false nine. It is not important to have a striker who scores many goals. We want a player who can receive the crosses of Bale or Cristiano Ronaldo.

"We are not going to recruit another forward because we don’t need one.”

Finally, Ancelotti addressed rumours linking Angel Di Maria, one player whose place is threatened by the arrival of James, with a move away from the club.

"Di Maria is very close to PSG," he concluded, acknowledging reports linking the Argentine winger to the French champions, “I have no news. Di Maria is the same as the others."

Up next for Madrid are Roma on Wednesday at the Cotton Bowl.

Simeone: Brilliant Griezmann would shine for Atletico

Simeone: Brilliant Griezmann would shine for Atletico
As the Spanish champions close in on the signing of the France international, the Rojiblancos coach has praised his would-be new recruit
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is confident that summer transfer target Antoine Griezmann would be a brilliant signing.

Goal revealed this week that the France international is close to joining La Liga's champions after the Rojiblancos have seen off competition from Tottenham and Monaco.

Although he praised the 23-year-old, Simeone stressed that negotiations being held with the attacker do not make him an Atletico man yet.

"He’s a brilliant player," Simeone began, speaking to reporters ahead of Atletico’s friendly match against San Jose Earthquakes. "He is very quick and can give us a lot of options in attack.

"However, it’s also true that a lot of other players have been talked about as possibly coming [to Atletico], and we could make two teams out of all of them."

The coach, who took Atletico to the Spanish title last season, also expressed how content he is with his team’s progress during their pre-season so far.

"It has stood us in good stead," he continued. "Above all I am happy with the new boys. I hope I can have the whole group available as soon as possible, but right now that’s not possible.

"I’m satisfied with our work over these three weeks."