ZURICH: FIFA has postponed a decision on a Palestinian proposal to suspend Israel from international soccer because of the conflict with Hamas, clearing the way for the Israeli men’s national team to play at the Paris Olympics.
Soccer’s world governing body had been set to make a decision Saturday at an extraordinary council meeting after asking for an independent legal assessment of the Palestinian proposal two months ago. That decision would have come just four days before the start of the Olympic soccer tournament, where Israel has been drawn into a group with Japan, Mali and Paraguay.
However, FIFA said Thursday that it had pushed back the timeline because “more time is needed to conclude this process with due care and completeness” — meaning a decision is now set to come after the Olympics have finished.
FIFA said both parties had made requests for extensions “to submit their respective positions” and that the independent assessment will now be shared with FIFA by Aug. 31 at the latest.
The men’s Olympic final is set to take place on Aug. 9.
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Israel clear to play in Olympic soccer tournament after FIFA postpones decision on possible ban
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Israel clear to play in Olympic soccer tournament after FIFA postpones decision on possible ban
Firing of Ruben Amorim could cost Manchester United $21 million
- Ruben Amorim was fired as head coach on January 5 after just 14 months in the job
MANCHESTER, England: Manchester United’s cost for firing Ruben Amorim could reach £15.9 million ($21.4 million), the Premier League club said in a New York Stock Exchange filing.
Amorim was fired as head coach on Jan. 5 after just 14 months in the job, with the announcement coming shortly after he made provocative comments about his position within United’s hierarchy.
“A charge of £6.3 million for the write off of related intangible assets and a provision of £15.9 million, representing the maximum potential amount of future settlement payments, will be recognized in the statement of profit or (loss) during the second half of the year ending 30 June 2026,” the club wrote of its Amorim-related costs.
The £6.3 million ($8.5 million) is related to the cost of hiring Amorim from Sporting Lisbon in November 2024.
The figure of £15.9 million represents United’s potential maximum owed to Amorim and his coaching staff. The filing didn’t specify but media reports indicate the final figure includes factors such as if, or when, Amorim gets a new job.
The 20-time English champion has hired Michael Carrick on a contract to the end of the season, and the former United player has overseen the team’s rise to fourth place in the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace.
Amorim was fired as head coach on Jan. 5 after just 14 months in the job, with the announcement coming shortly after he made provocative comments about his position within United’s hierarchy.
“A charge of £6.3 million for the write off of related intangible assets and a provision of £15.9 million, representing the maximum potential amount of future settlement payments, will be recognized in the statement of profit or (loss) during the second half of the year ending 30 June 2026,” the club wrote of its Amorim-related costs.
The £6.3 million ($8.5 million) is related to the cost of hiring Amorim from Sporting Lisbon in November 2024.
The figure of £15.9 million represents United’s potential maximum owed to Amorim and his coaching staff. The filing didn’t specify but media reports indicate the final figure includes factors such as if, or when, Amorim gets a new job.
The 20-time English champion has hired Michael Carrick on a contract to the end of the season, and the former United player has overseen the team’s rise to fourth place in the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace.
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