Footballers Life Issue 14

Footballers’ Life Magazine

Issue 14 €21.00 - £20.00

B us i ne ss

•

A dv ice

&

Lux ury

w w w. f o o t b a lle r s lif e.c o m I n s t a : @ f o o t b a l le r s lif e ma ga z in e

Lifestyle

Euro

2020

HARRY

MAGUIRE

THOMAS

Polestar 1

TUCHEL

Mental Performance Coach

Tax Rules for Players and Agents

Advice • Talk to the Players • Cars • Fashion • Gadgets • Watches & Jewellery • Property • Travel • Health

c o n t r i b u t o r s

Contributors Nii Anteson Senior Associate Sheridans

Daniel Geey

6

Adrian Kajumba Journalist

Fraser Reid

Partner Sheridan’s Lawyers

Partner - Level Law

Deborah Arthurs

Max Nilov

Lifestyle Director

Art Advisor

Mark Bowden

Duncan Wright

Mental Performance Coach

Journalist

Michelle Sloane

Alexis Armitage

Lawyer

Lawyer

Lewis Marsden

Jermaine Malcolm

Journalist

Sports Lawyer

7

i n t r o d u c t i o n

Issue

Welcome 14 to

of

Footballers’ Life Magazine Euro 2020 has finally arrived, 12 months later than we first anticipated, but nonetheless the excitement for the tournament is still significant.

The tournament going ahead is testament to the resilience of the sport, players, fans, executives and everyone involved within the game.

Our latest issue previews the tournament and the players that may steal the show over the next 4 weeks as well as which teams we are tipping to make the final.

In addition to our Euro 2020 focus, we also talk to Harry Maguire, Champions League winner – Thomas Tuchel, Olly Watkins, Lee Grant and the highly rated youngster, Eberechi Eze. Our experts have once again compiled some highly topical and informative articles, covering off topics including social media abuse and how new tax laws will affect players, agents and clubs.

As always, Footballers’ Life is pleased to showcase the latest and very best technology, as well as luxury products. Travel is still proving to be a challenge however we continue to inform you about some of the most impressive resorts from around the globe in the hope that we can all return to the finer things in life!

I sincerely hope you enjoy our latest edition. Stay safe and enjoy the excitement, twists and no doubt controversy that I’m sure Euro 2020 will bring!

Duncan Edward Pratt

Founder / Editor in chief

We hope you enjoy this edition, please send comments to duncan@footballerslife.com

P.s – our prediction is for France to win the Euro’s!

Best wishes, Duncan

9

c o n t e n t s

Contents 14-19 Euros 2 020

21

Footballers life F o ot b a ll e r s l i f e C o n s u lta n c y

28-31

European S u p er League: t h e p ot e n t i a l l e g a l i m p l i c at i o n s

24-25

B ar c e l o na C ov i d - 1 9 L e g a c y

26-27

Me dical s an d t r an s f er Ag re e me nt s : C lu b s B e wa r e

32-33

Women’ s Deal

S k y S p o rt s a n d t h e BB C Super League deal

34-35

M ark Bowd en M e n ta l P e r f o r m a n c e C oa c h

10

36-37

Tac k l i n g D i s cri m i nat i o n

E x i s t i n g R e g u l at i o n s

38-41

St r o nge s t Foot ba l l Bran d Brand Finance

54-55

EBERCEHI exe e m e rg i n g ta l e n t

42-43

Shirt d e als S h i rt d e a l s

44-47

fo o t bal l a gents HMRC c h a n g e s to ta x

56-57

Ha rry M aguire Man Utf and England

58-59 Lee gr ant Man utd

52-53

Thomas tuche l l o o k i n g to ot h e r s p o rt s

60-61

Ollie watkin s A prime example

11

c o n t e n t s

70-71

P o l e s tar 1 F i n a l p ro d u c t i o n ru n

62-63

jamie Var d y Ro c h e s t e r way

64-65

C r i s t i ano R o naldo Ag u a !

82

Power P late Pulse

82

HigherDOSE

S au n a Bl a n k e t

76-77

83

MASTER SMART C ASUA L

C h a rg e 5 & R e fl e c t MINI TWS

Ch ar l e s Ty rwhitt

JBL

84-85

V i r g i l Van D i j k j o i n s JB L a s g l o b a l brand ambassador

80-81

LOS ANGELES URBANISTA

12

88-89

Greubel Forse y THE NEW GMT SPORT

90-91

B amf or d London P o p e y e GMT

94-95

A n g e lu s

Bl a c k T i ta n i u m U 3 0

116-119

José Piza r r o I n t e rv i e w

120

Ea stpak c a b i n - s i z e t r av e l t ro ll e y

100-103

W e mbl e y Par k Stunning new penthouses

108-109

C o u rmay e u r M o n t B lanc E n j oy t h e I ta l i a n Al p s

112-113 A RIEN CE

60.92 M ABEKING & RASMUSSEN

122-125

Bahiazul

C a n a ry I s l a n d s r e s o rt

128-129

card i ac arr e s t F I FA’ s G u i d e

132

Espa

active nutrients c o ll e c t i o n

114-115

Yac h t own e r ship buying a yacht

130-131

Bellec e l l

THE NEW GENETI C SKIN C ARE

13

e u r o s

Euro

2020

WHILE the delay to staging Euro 2020 was a nightmare for Uefa and local organisers, the extra year has the potential to make this tournament the time for the new young stars of football to shine.

14

Had the Euros been held last year as planned, it may have been a year too soon for some of the game’s brightest stars to have been ready to take centre stage.

Kylian Mbappe was already established as a talent of the highest order, but the likes of Kai Havertz, Ruben Dias and Mason Mount now have the chance to make the case for them to be classed as genuine world class players.

The Netherlands, with such a pedigree in producing brilliant players, have another cab on the rank in the shape of 19-year-old Ryan Gravenburch – the Ajax winger of whom there is much expectation in his homeland.

Spain have had such a settled group of superstars for so long, but this tournament represents the baton passing onto the next generation and perhaps none have as much hope for succeeding as Pedri.

Just 18, Pedri was a beacon of light for Barcelona in a difficult season for the Catalan giants and boss Luis Enrique has not taken the youngster along just for the ride this summer.

Sweden have been crying out for someone to take over the mantle from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and this could be the year when a new star emerges if winger Dejan Kulusevski takes the form his he has shown at club level with Juventus into the Euros.

The debut of North Macedonia in the finals hardly sees the nation marked out as a real threat to go deep, but there will be plenty of international scouts watching the displays of Eljif Elmas in midfield.

At 21, he has already become a key player at Napoli and has the cultured skills in midfield to develop into a real top class performer at the highest level.

15

e u r o s

But in truth, few nations will have benefited from the extra year to prepare than England if Gareth Southgate’s side are to fulfil expectations and make a strong challenge for the title.

For the country has been able to include players who would have been nowhere near contention had the coronavirus pandemic not taken such a devastating hold in 2020.

The mercurial talent of Phil Foden had not been in a senior squad this time last year, but after Pep Guardiola’s slow-touch education paid off with such an impressive campaign at club level he is now being tipped as one of the stars of the summer.

Chelsea midfielder Mount would probably have been in the squad, but his development has been huge over the past year, and with extra experience of a Champions League winning run he can shine.

At the base of the midfield Declan Rice benefitted from another year to learn his trade, while Kalvin Phillips hadn’t even kicked a ball in the Premier League before last season.

Reece James is another who wouldn’t have made the squad a year ago – while Jack Grealish, who has been tipped by many as one of the best playmakers in Europe – is another who was completely out of the picture.

As for Jude Bellingham, he was only enjoying his first year out of school 12 months ago. Over the coming summer he could well emerge as one of football’s most coveted talents with a maturity to his game which is almost freakish in nature.

So it is hard to find any country who will have been blessed so much by the year’s delay than England – though whether it may still come too soon for the group as a whole to succeed is open for debate.

For though they are likely to progress from a group which contains Croatia, Scotland and Czech Republic, the draw has thrown up a tough route to the final for Southgate.

Should they top Group D, then they get the runners up of what is arguably the group of death this year – France, Germany, Portugal and Hungary.

16

World champions France are probably stronger now than they were back in Russia 2018, while Germany have plenty to offer with Havertz, Timo Wenrer, Leroy Sane and the brilliant Toni Kroos in their ranks.

And Portugal boast almost an embarrassment of riches when you consider defender Dias will be playing behind the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Jota and the exciting Jaoa Felix.

So the fates of the draw will likely pair England against one of these three powerful teams – and it will be a toss-up to see who comes through to progress to the last eight.

Spain going into the tournament with little expectation of succeeding outside of their own country, with a changing of the guard taking place to include the absence of that wily old fox Sergio Ramos.

Perhaps the one country going into the tournament under the radar with some is Italy. There are few superstar names in the Italian blue at the moment, but Roberto Mancini has currently led his side to an astonishing 27-game unbeaten run going into the tournament.

This is a squad packed full of nous and big game experience, and with a relatively kind draw which has seen them grouped with Turkey, Switzerland and Wales they will be confident of progressing in an efficient way to leave them fresh for the latter stages.

With so many nations able to play in front of home support because of the unique format of this tournament, the Euros promise to be packed full of entertaining, high-intensity games.

The stage is set for stars to emerge – which youngsters will grab the chance to nail down their place among the very best?

17

e u r o s

18

Euro

2020 19

fo o t b a l l e r s

F

l i fe

c o n s u l t a n cy

Footballers life C o n s u lt a n c y ootballers’ Life Consultancy supports professional players, clubs and executives at all levels across Europe.

Utilising our industry-leading European network, particularly across the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium we are able to offer support with the transfer of player’s, staff and general introductions in a highly professional manner.

Owned and operated by British born Duncan Pratt who played professionally in the Netherlands, Footballers’ Life Consultancy offers a genuine, personal experience to its clients and can offer support in a vast range of services:

Scouting networks Player recruitment advice Player career mentoring Brand & PR management Legal support through our approved supply network Contract negotiations Social and lifestyle brand networking Personal procurement consulting

If you would like to have a confidential discussion on how Footballers’ Life Consultancy can support you or your club, please email duncan@footballerslife.com.

21

a d v i c e

ro

Super

28

Eu

di

an

Le ue

s

Me

pe

ag

26

rc e l o n a

er

Ba

d s an tra n sf

c

al

W

24

n

es

o ot ba t F l

and

38

l Br

n

n

g

io

36

Sh

in

S t ro

kl

g

at

in

Discrim

i rt d e a l

o

o

tb

all age n

44

s

34 Ta c

l

32

f

k B ow d e

en’s De a

t

M

ar

om

s

42

23

a d v i c e

T

HE global events of the past year have been hard on everyone, but for Barcelona the legacy of Covid-19 is threatening to leave the club in the doldrums for years.

Football clubs around the world have struggled to balance the books given an absence of supporters that may only start to ease when the 2021/22 season begins.

But nowhere has the devastation hit home harder than at Barca, where the only club in the history of the sport to break $1billion in annual revenues is now facing the very real prospect of financial ruin.

On the pitch it has been a season of turmoil as the fear factor of former years has melted away to reveal what is arguably just an ordinary side graced by the genius of Lionel Messi.

24

Off the pitch it has been a case of one disaster after another as the squeeze on football’s resources exposed some questionable decisions which have left Barca staring at the financial abyss.

In their most recent reports, the Spanish giants announced an annual loss of £84m last year – with an estimated £176m drop in revenue attributed to coronavirus alone.

These numbers will only grow because there is another year of pandemic-ravaged business left to report, with some estimates suggesting the true cost to the club exceeding £400m.

Losses are being incurred at every club, but it is particularly problematic at the Nou Camp because of the way those in charge have allowed to wage bill to balloon to almost unmanageable levels.

As a general rule of thumb, other successful operations have managed to stabilise their wage bill at no more than 60% of the annual income. Barcelona are operating at 74%, with a wage bill of £550m.

Money was already becoming so tight just before the pandemic struck that Barca were letting it be known virtually any of their players were available for transfer – the problem was no-one was interested in doing deals.

It left the club with several of their experienced players sat on lucrative contracts with time left to run, with dwindling value in the transfer market and no way of shifting off the balance sheet.

Add in the shock of the Covid-19 damage and all of a sudden it become hard to find the resources to even pay the wages, and led to the squad agreeing to accept a deferral just to allow the side to finish the season.

Debts are already exceeding £230m, and that figure is only increasing as the club works its way through 2021.

A business of the scale of Barcelona will have no shortage of offers to help them out of trouble, and already some major financial institutions have indicated a willingness to come up with packages to ease the burden.

But on a sporting side, the signs are worrying. The squad is unbalanced with players approaching the end of their careers, and those who are younger not up to the quality needed to compete at the top table of the European game any more.

No more was this demonstrated than when a Paris Saint-Germain side missing two or three of their best players, Neymar included, visited the Nou Camp in the Champions League and gave them a footballing lesson to record a 4-1 victory.

Debts are already exceeding £230m

Barcelona are operating at 74%, with a wage bill of £550m.

Barcelona need reinventing as a team at just the moment when they do not have spare money to do so.

Building another squad capable of dominating in Spain and in Europe is not going to come cheap, and any package of financing is going to come with ever more debt to service to add on to the £230m already owed.

So though the name of Barcelona will still be a major draw for players, whether they can come up with the transfer fees and wages needed to bring the very best to Catalonia remains in major doubt.

There is, of course, the looming prospect of Messi leaving the club over the course of the summer, with his mammoth £80m annual wages and bonuses coming off the balance sheet to free up some resource.

But should the Argentine depart, that has implications for the commercial deals the club strikes. There are estimates that he alone has been worth as much as £250m a year in terms of sponsorships and other deals.

With other income streams, such as the stadium tours and museum, continuing to remain closed off because of coronavirus they can ill-afford to suffer further punishment by losing one of their most marketable assets.

The election of a new president in March promises a new dawn for the super-power of the game, one of pragmatism more than fantasy.

Austerity is a word usually associated with national politics, but right now it may about to become a reality for Barcelona. And quite how that affects their chances to fulfil their sporting ambitions remains very much open to question.

25

a d v i c e

Medicals and

Transfer Agreements:

Clubs Beware

N

egotiating transfers during the final days of the transfer window is usually a pretty pressurised environment for clubs, players and agents alike. Successfully completing a transfer in that often frenetic time necessarily requires accepting a level of commercial risk. However, as the English Football League Panel decision in a dispute between Barnsley Football Club (“Barnsley”) and Hull City Tigers (“Hull City”) demonstrates, unknowingly accepting commercial risk can prove costly.

The dispute arose because of non-payment by Hull City to Barnsley of an outstanding transfer fee instalment for a player whose appearances had been severely limited by an undisclosed medical condition. Hull City refused to pay the outstanding transfer instalment on the basis that it was offset, and in fact dwarfed, by the amount owed to the club by Barnsley under an indemnity in the player transfer agreement (“Agreement”). As most will know, an indemnity protects the indemnified party from loss(es) or expenses it would otherwise incur upon the occurrence of a pre-agreed event, with the indemnifying party assuming liability for those loss(es) and expenses. Indemnities are often given by the indemnifying party in connection with a warranty, i.e. the indemnifying party will warrant and represent to the indemnified party that a certain fact is true or set of circumstances exists, and give a related indemnity as a form of additional comfort to the indemnified party. In transfer agreements, the selling club may warrant and represent facts about the relevant player including, for example, that it currently holds the player’s registration and will arrange for the registration to be transferred to the buying club. The selling club will usually agree to indemnify the buying club for any loss or expense it incurs if the warranty later proves to be untrue.

The indemnity in this case, Hull City successfully argued, was engaged by the breach by Barnsley of a warranty, which it appears, Barnsley did not know that it had given.

26

This came about because Barnsley accepted Hull City’s offer to draft the Agreement. Barnsley had assumed that the draft prepared by Hull City would not differ too drastically from Barnsley’s standard form or other transfer agreements it had previously seen. Unfortunately for Barnsley, Hull City’s draft, which was ultimately signed without amendment, contained an unusual warranty that Barnsley had made full and honest disclosure to Hull City of the player’s past and current medical history including any injuries, conditions or illnesses which could affect the player’s fitness or ability to play football.

Barnsley’s club doctor, who knew that the player had experienced symptoms of an undiagnosed but potentially career-limiting condition, was not informed of the transfer or of the warranty. The club doctor in his 25 year career at Barnsley, had “never requested disclosure of an incoming player’s medical history” and so had no reason to expect that Barnsley was required to make such disclosure in this instance.

The combined effect of the unusual warranty and the lack of disclosure of the player’s symptoms led to Barnsley breaching the warranty and being liable to indemnify Hull City against losses suffered by it as a result of the player’s diminished ability to play consistently and the related fall in his commercial value.

For club officials wary of falling into the similar difficult situations, clubs should:

•

•

Where possible, use the club’s own nuanced template transfer agreement as the basis for negotiations. If the other club wins the battle of which template transfer agreement to use as the basis of the negotiation, make sure in-house or external lawyers give it, at the very least, a sense-check and/or red flag review alongside the club’s decision makers. The club’s lawyers should be able to isolate and identify unusual and/or onerous clauses and then negotiate accordingly; and Ensure their executives, medical and technical teams are joined up in their approach. It’s usually only when things go wrong that steps are taken to remedy particular processes. Try and be ahead of the curve and prepared for the inevitably frantic pace of the transfer window.

Nii Anteson is a Senior Associate in the Sports and Esports Group at sports, media and entertainment law firm Sheridans. He advises players, athletes, clubs, governing bodies, federations, broadcasters, sponsors, agencies, creators and media companies. You can follow him on Twitter at @SportsLawBore and @sheridanssport and contact him at nii.anteson@sheridans.co.uk.

27

a d v i c e

European Super League: the potential legal implications Football is often referred to as the ‘beautiful game’. However, in a remarkable 72 hours, starting on 18 April 2021, football was rocked to its foundations as twelve of Europe's biggest clubs, including six Premier league clubs, announced plans to break away and form a new European Super League (ESL).

Images of corporate greed and self-interest played out across the continent, revealing an ugly side to the game. The proposed plan has now collapsed, but it is worth considering the part played by the main stakeholders in this project and the potential legal and other implications for those involved if this project or something similar should arise again.

Response by football governing bodies “The ultimate aim for some, is no longer to decorate the club’s As expected, the reaction from football’s governing bodies was instant and highly critical. FIFA president, Gianni Infantino “strongly disapproved” of the breakaway league and went on to say that the 12 clubs will have to “live with the consequences” of their decision to join.

But, (as of writing) that was the extent of it as far as FIFA were concerned.

UEFA President, Aleksander Čeferin was much more forthright:

trophy cabinet with silverware, but to fill the bank account with cash.

Contempt (for smaller clubs, for supporters respectful of tradition and for institutions) is replacing ethics. Selfishness is replacing solidarity.” Čeferin went further with a warning that players who join the new European Super League will be banned from World Cups and European Championships if the breakaway materialises.

Similarly, the FA, Premier League and the other affected football federations in Europe were enraged by this news and had stated their intention to, “consider all measures available to us, at all levels, both judicial and sporting in order to prevent this happening.”

28

The clubs What though, if any, legal and sporting sanctions could be available against the six English clubs? If one considers Art 72.1 of the FIFA Statutes, it states that,

“Players and teams affiliated to member associations or provisional members of the confederations may not play matches or make sporting contacts with players or teams that are not affiliated to member associations or provisional members of the confederations without the approval of FIFA”.

Given the above, it’s clear that the proposed ESL would be in breach of Art. 72.1.

Crucially, Rule B15.5 of the Premier League Rules 2020/21 imports a contractual obligation to ‘abide by the statutes and regulations of FIFA’. Likewise, there is a similar provision in rule A1.2 of the FA Rules (and all Premier League clubs are bound by the FA Rules).

It is clear that playing in the ESL would amount to a breach of the Premier League Rules and the FA Rules by the 6 English clubs

In spite of this and on the basis that Liverpool, Man Utd, Man City, Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal had ploughed on regardless, the Premier League Board has a discretion at Rule B.6 to pass a Board resolution expelling a club from the Premier League. In reality, it is highly doubtful that this would come to pass. Nevertheless, there is a raft of penalties the Premier League can impose on rule-breakers contained in Section W of the rules. Short of expulsion, it could have entailed an unlimited fine or an unlimited deduction of points.

The above deals only with the regulatory sanctions associated with football. One must also consider a potential breach of contract by the 6 clubs’ in respect of the Premier League. Given the scale of the breach, it is not too fanciful to say that any damages claim would be very significant.

29

a d v i c e

Could a player in this instance have refused to play for their club and/ or terminated their contract?

The players It seems clear now that the neither the players nor their representatives were consulted before the move was announced on Sunday.

As stated previously, Aleksander Čeferin (FIFA’s position is not clear as of writing) had threatened that players would be banned from competing in World Cups and European Championships if it were to materialise.

The players have been placed in an awkward situation and would it be right to ‘punish’ them for actions taken by their clubs? It’s safe to say that players’ contracts will have been looked at closely over the last few days and options considered.

The standard form player contract within the Premier League Handbook includes an undertaking that the club will abide by the rules laid down by the FA, UEFA and FIFA. Rule L9 of the Premier League Rules lists the competitions that a club may enter and requires prior written approval for any others. Given the public statement issued by the Premier League, it is clear that the ESL six did not follow protocol.

So what, if any, options did the players have?

The standard form contract for English Premier League players governs the employment relationship with their club. Frequently, there are bonuses payable for the number of appearances in the Premier League, for progress in English domestic cup competitions, for success in European cup competitions run by UEFA, and/or for national selection.

If the clubs had continued with the ESL and UEFA and FIFA had held firm, players whose clubs played in the ESL would no longer have been able to participate in the domestic and international competitions and they would have lost the chance to earn performance bonuses (as set out in their contracts of employment) and international appearances as a result of a deliberate act by their employer.

30

If such action (to join the ESL) had been taken by the club then it could be said to be a repudiatory breach of the contract of employment by the club, which would indeed have allowed a player to terminate the contract. There is an implied term that the club, as the employer, will not deliberately act in a way which will result in a refusal to pay the remuneration under the contract. Moreover, it would not have mattered whether an alternative form of bonus or remuneration had been offered by the club. If the player wanted to assert his current contractual rights, he would have been free to do so.

Clause 3.1 of the standard Premier League Contract (“Contract”), ‘Duties and obligations of the player’, states that a player must ‘participate in any matches in which he is selected to play for the club’. On the face of it, this clause, together with the implied contractual duties of service and of complying with all lawful and reasonable instructions, would mean that a player who had refused to play in an ESL match would have been in breach of contract.

However, clause 6.1.1 of the Contract states ‘The club shall observe the rules, all of which (other than the club rules) shall take precedence over the club rules’. The Contract defines the rules as ‘the statutes and regulations of FIFA and UEFA, the FA rules, the league rules, the code of practice and the club rules’. Accordingly, by competing in the ESL, it might be said that the club would have been in breach of this clause by asking the players to play in a UEFA unsanctioned competition in contravention of the rules. If that had been the case, it is arguable that the instruction to play in such matches would not have been a lawful and reasonable instruction, which players could therefore have refused.

Further, the Premier League contract contains an implied term that neither party shall, without lawful and reasonable cause, do anything to undermine the relationship of trust and confidence between the player and their employer.

It may be suggested that deliberately putting a player in a position of conflict with their regulatory body and/ or preventing them from representing their country at international level could breach trust and confidence.

In either case, such a breach would amount to a fundamental breach of contract and a repudiation of the contract, which would allow a player to act on the basis that they had been constructively dismissed.

Article 14 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) allows a club or a player to terminate the contract for ‘just cause’. Faced with a breach of their contract, a player could seek to rely on Article 14 to terminate the contract and join another club. Such action could be immensely damaging for clubs which had been participating in the ESL and which would lose the services of the player and their value as an asset.

The fans The concept of the ESL featuring some of the top clubs in Europe has led to anger and fury from many football fans. In what is generally considered a tribal game, this has actually united most if not all fans behind a common cause – loathing and disgust at the very idea of an ESL. We have seen fans of all the six English clubs come out and demonstrate in solidarity against this project and such has been the animosity towards the ESL that YouGov polled 1,730 British football fans on Monday 19 April. 79% said they oppose the Super League (68% strongly). Only 14% said they support it. 75% said they are not interested in watching the matches.

Conclusion

Chairman of the European Super League, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has said the new competition would “help football at every level” and their “responsibility as big clubs is to respond to [fan’s] desires”. However, fans don’t see the creation of the ESL as being either motivated by what fans want to see, nor as good for lower level clubs.

One thing is clear, the owners of the clubs and other individuals involved in this ill-fated project badly misread the current mood amongst other stakeholders in football.

Players have stated their position quite clearly in that they do not want any part of this, as was clearly shown the Liverpool FC squad, who have come out in solidarity with the views of their fans. Furthermore, the unilateral actions of clubs has raised regulatory and legal issues concerning players’ employment contracts, with the possibility of being banned from competing in World Cup and Champions League games a very real issue.

There is little doubt that there will be a day of reckoning shortly. In fact, knives are already out in England with Ed Woodward of Man Utd resigning from his role at Old Trafford at the end of the year and executives from the other English clubs having been handed an ultimatum to step down from key Premier League sub-committees.

There is growing support for some form of fan representation within clubs and it’s no coincidence that the German Bundesliga clubs said no to the original ESL project.

The German 50 + 1 rule is being closely looked at again as a way of connecting the fans with their clubs with the view to guarding against majority ownership by private investors who would potentially push through measures that prioritise profit over the wishes of supporters.

It has been said that football has found its soul again and that the beautiful game has been taken back with the values of integrity and competition restored. Nevertheless, there are those who suspect the can has simply been kicked down the road and this proposed project, or something similar, will come back in the not too distant future.

David Winnie is a senior associate and head of the sports team at Blaser Mills Law

31

a d v i c e

Women’ s Sky Sports and the BBC

T

Super League deal

HE emergence of women’s football in England as a viable commercial offering has been sealed by a landmark television rights deal worth £24million.

Sky Sports and the BBC have joined forces to agree a three-year contract with the FA to screen Women’s Super League matches live across the UK. In agreeing the £8m-a-season package, the FA has taken a major step forward in increasing the profile of the female game and helping ensure players are treated in a professional way across the league by clubs.

And it also shows how powerful the game in England is becoming across women’s football at a time when budgets have come under huge pressure because of the coronavirus pandemic.

From the start of the new season, 66 WSL matches will be shown live jointly by the BBC and Sky Sports.

In a significant step, the BBC have agreed to make the matches available on primarily BBC One or BBC Two, delivering top level women’s football free-to-air to the entire country.

The BBC will broadcast 22 live matches, with a minimum of 18 shown on BBC One or BBC Two. Sky Sports will provide coverage of up to 44 matches screened across the Main Event, Premier League and Sky Sports Football channels.

The remaining games not screened by the two broadcasters will still be available to stream live on the FA Player.

32

The Football Association’s Kelly Simmons expects the deal will give the WSL a massive audience boost.

Simmons said: “It is one of the biggest deals commercially, definitely for women’s football in terms of a domestic deal, and up there for women’s sport.

“When I first came into this role we said that we really thought women’s football could really break into the mainstream and this is mainstream, this is prime slots on television, big audiences, week in week out.

“We have benchmarks for what we think are the most successful, highprofile women’s sport leagues in the world like the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) and the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League), and they are low hundreds of thousands in terms of an average peak per week.

We anticipate this would significantly be above that.

Under the terms of the deal the WSL teams receive 75% of the share for clubs, some evenly split and some on merit, and teams in the Championship sharing a 25% stake.

While there is not yet money being filtered down from this broadcast agreement to other parts of the women’s pyramid, it is something the FA are looking closely at trying to deliver going forward.

Simmons added: “Ultimately, it’s certainly a decision for women’s football, as revenue grows you distribute that down to the whole pyramid. But for now, with the first deal it’s tiers one and two.”

England and Manchester City captain Steph Houghton claimed it was an “amazing step forward” for women’s football and the players can’t wait to “show the world what an unbelievable league we have”.

She said: “The way this sport has developed in this country over the last few years has been unbelievable.

“I think this will really push our league to be the best in Europe, if not the world.”

33

a d v i c e

Mark Bowden

Mental

Performance Coach

T

OP players are queuing up to engage the services of a mental performance coach who puts his history of nailing organised crime gangs into turning them into better players.

Mark Bowden spent his early career working undercover with police targeting some of the most highly skilled and dangerous criminals in the country.

But now footballers of all levels in the professional game are knocking on his door looking for help on how they can get rid of the shackles in their minds to produce their best on the pitch.

34

Bowden says the techniques employed by special branch officers are exactly what players need to use to make the most of their careers.

“The crossover there looks a big change but it’s not really because when you know how the brain works, it doesn’t really matter what the stimulus to the stress is.

He said: “I was a covert operative with the serious organised crime agency, up in London.

I spent 10 years working on various operations teams.

“At the end of the day, when I would be deployed in the field and leading operations about some of the biggest criminal networks in the UK, when you’re out there, you’re performing to the best you can possibly perform in a very highly stressful situation.

“

The brain absolutely hates change, because it’s a threat. And then we go into that threat way of thinking.

”

Bowden now has a waiting list of players desperate to work with him, after word of mouth spread around the game following the impact he has made with stars – some of whom are Premier League winners and seasoned internationals.

They approach him directly via direct message on Instagram or through his Fearless Footballer app looking to find an edge to develop their game in a way the majority of clubs in the professional game ignore.

The former cop says he is stunned clubs still ignore the mental side of the game – and claims he could have saved West Ham a fortune if he was able to work with Sebastian Haller, who they suffered a £20million hit on last summer.

“A footballer has to did exactly the same thing, perform in a highly pressurised situation.

“Every time these players aren’t performing to their best, it has nothing at all to do with their ability, and everything to do with what’s going on inside their brain.

“If we are in the wrong part of the brain, I call it the red brain, it dulls down the sensory cortex, the sensory cortex is responsible for our awareness and acknowledging our environment, so we miss the runs of the opposition or our teammates.

“But it’s also builds down the motor cortex. So all those automatic instincts that we have of a footballer controlling a ball without even thinking about it. All that now starts to break down.

“Just the way you think, the way you move or what you’re focusing upon, you release chemicals.

And those chemicals can be performance destroying, performance sabotaging.

“Or they can be, as I always say to my players, the naturally occurring, performance enhancing chemicals that we can actually produce in our brain, which will give us more energy, more natural focus and allow our motor functions to perform to be to the best of our abilities.”

Bowden added: “How many clubs can honestly say they invest? And how many really are gambling?.

“They get a player in and they’re trying to get him in their peak, physical way of being able to play but they do very little to help that player with what’s going on inside their brain.

“The brain absolutely hates change, because it’s a threat. And then we go into that threat way of thinking.

“So a player comes in, he expects to be able to shine like he did at his previous club, but how many times do we see that?

“Sebastien Haller is a prime example. He lost West Ham about £20m in the space of 18 months.

“If you look at him, there was no injury or anything. His ability was unquestionable. And there was nothing wrong with his ability.

“But it was his ability to show it on the pitch that wasn’t. That is 100 per cent down to his brain.

“And if I was working with Sebastian Haller, I would have saved them at least £20m.

“I say at least because then it’s not a case of how much do they drop, or stop them from dropping, it is about the improvements they actually make.”

35

a d v i c e

Tackling Discrimination In Football: Are Existing Regulations Sufficient To Combat Social Media Abuse?

W

By Jermaine Malcolm

hilst revenue, transfers and sponsorship in football fluctuate in the midst of a postponed season, statistics show a striking increase in discrimination across sports and, in particular, football.

In the absence of football matches being attended, players such as Marcus Rashford, Tyrone Mings, Antony Martial, Lauren James and many more[1] have faced increased discrimination

and abuse on social media. A young footballer, Linton Harris, was quoted as saying, “I’m done with football all together”[2] after being racially abused and feeling there was no recourse.

More recently Mike Dean, an FA Referee, and his family received death threats[3] online after sending off Southampton defender Jan Bednarek and West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek. A number of club managers have shared experiences of a similar nature.

Kick It Out, England’s football equality and inclusion organisation, a charitable body established in 1997,[4] gather annual statistics on discrimination around football matches and social media. The charity reported a 42% increase in discrimination with a 53% increase in racially motivated incidents in the season of 2019/20[5] and has been inundated with calls for more to be done to tackle discrimination in one of the world’s most followed sports.

36

U.K. Legislation Accordingly, this article examines: • U.K. legislation governing discrimination and abuse; • Football’s rules and regulations on discrimination:

• relating to players and clubs;

• relating to fans; • High profile examples of discrimination; • The problems specific to social media; and • Whether the laws are sufficient and what more can be done to tackle the issues?

The Equality Act 2010, sets out the characteristics protecting people from harassment, discrimination and victimisation based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

The Football (Offences) Act 1991, was enacted to prevent disorderly conduct by persons attending football matches. The Act prohibits throwing of missiles (s.2), indecent and racialist chants (s.3), and pitch invasions (s.4).

The policing authorities generally charge offenders under s.31 Crime and Disorder Act 1998[6] (racially or religiously aggravated public order offences).

The Crown Prosecution Service define ‘Hate Crime’ as the following: “A range of criminal behaviour where the perpetrator is motivated by hostility or demonstrates hostility towards the victim's disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity”.[7] Authorities have the power to apply for an uplift in sentencing for such offences[8] and irrespective, the courts MUST treat racially or religiously public order offences as an aggravating factor when sentencing.[9] Moreover, s.14.a Football Spectators Act 1989, allows prosecutors to apply for a Football Banning Order (FBO), preventing individuals from attending football matches.[10] Whilst some legislation has not always been enforced in incidents of online discrimination, there has been an increase in general legislation applying to online abuse. For example, the Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006,[11] the Malicious Communication Act 1998 and Communications Act 2003, extend specifically to the publishing of material or electronic communications.

Despite the legislative deterrents, discrimination in sports continues and online discrimination is rife and gives opportunity for people to use pseudonyms to hide their identity. All bodies involved in or overseeing sport and the law are trying to prevent instances of discrimination, but are still facing challenges.

37

a d v i c e

Bayern Munich Crowned World’s Strongest Football Brand as ESL Fallout Damages Europe’s Elite Brand Finance

Failed European Super League project adversely impacts founding clubs’ brand strength and knocks €600 million off brand values

Unaffected by ESL fiasco, Bayern Munich claims title of world’s strongest football brand, with elite AAA+ brand rating, and tops ranking for enterprise value for first time, standing at €3,606 million

Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester United maintain positions as world’s most valuable football club brands ranking 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively in Brand Finance Football 50 2021

Manchester City hot on heels of rivals Manchester United, now only 1% lower in brand value

Clubs hoping to sack COVID-19 in 21/22 season and reopen doors to fans, as total brand value falls 11.2% on weaker revenue

English clubs represent 43% of total brand value within top 50, with several German, Spanish, Italian, French clubs and sole representatives from the Netherlands, Russia, and Portugal featuring too. No representation from outside Europe

Gazprom supplying Zenit St Petersburg with energy as Russian outfit boasts highest brand value growth in ranking, up 35% and jumping from 49th to 33rd spot

38

View the full Brand Finance Football 50 2021 report here

The failed European Super League (ESL) project has dented the brand strength of the 12 founding clubs and knocked over €600 million off their total brand value, according to the latest Brand Finance Football 50 report, which ranks the top 50 most valuable and strongest football club brands in the world every year.

The ESL announcement visibly damaged the brand strength of the 12 clubs involved, causing an average decrease in their Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of -3.0 points.

The Brand Strength Index (BSI) is a balanced scorecard of brand metrics used by Brand Finance to benchmark the power of brands to drive success for the business. For football clubs, this scorecard includes market research among fans, rating clubs across a range of attributes, including strong heritage, the club is well run, and the owners care for the fans.

Before the plans collapsed, Brand Finance calculated that the ESL could have stripped €2.5 billion - or 25% of the total - in brand value from the 12 clubs. Although much of this damage has been averted, the impact on the perceptions of all stakeholders is still significant.

“

The results can already be seen, with Liverpool losing the sponsorship of Tribus Watches and Manchester United being said to have missed out on a £200 million deal from locally based The Hut Group.

Hugo Hensley, Head of Sports Services, Brand Finance, commented:

The origin and demise of the European Super League is a story of branding – the 12 clubs considered their brands too strong and attractive to be sanctioned by other associations, and above the footballing pyramid that validates their success. However, the

executed, fuelling a backlash from all stakeholders, leading to the dissolution of the group, and resulting in painful brand damage.

As well as damaging the strength of the 12 founding clubs’ brands, the ESL proposal has also knocked €606 million off the total brand value of the clubs, equating to a 6% year on year decrease. Weaker brands see reduced forecasts for their commercial and sponsorship success.

Bayern takes the lead in brand strength and enterprise value Unaffected by the ESL fiasco, and thus avoiding the disastrous damage, Bayern Munich has claimed the title of the world’s strongest football club brand this year, with a brand strength score of 91.9 out of 100 and the corresponding elite AAA+ rating.

Bayern’s performance has been unrivalled over the past year, winning the sextuplet of the Bundesliga, DFB Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and DFL Super Cup ultimately leading them to be named the Laureus World Team of the Year for 2021. They are the first team ever to lift the Champions League with a 100% record, which included an 8-2 win over Barcelona.

Bayern’s leading brand strength score has contributed to an increase in brand value to €1,068 million and climbing up to 5th position overall in the ranking.

The club’s enterprise value has also rocketed up by nearly €300 million to €3,606 million, allowing them to take the crown in that ranking too, recording an 8% increase year-on-year. Sometimes it pays off to be the nice guy with Bayern leading the figures for commercial revenue generation of any football team at €360.5 million, a key contributing factor to the year-on-year increase in enterprise value. Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City round up the top five for enterprise value.

”

communication, promotion, and positioning of the project were poorly

“

Hugo Hensley, Head of Sports Services, Brand Finance, commented:

The German 50+1% supporter shareholding model means that the fan is respected as the ultimate stakeholder. This has kept Bayern Munich out of the European Super League fiasco, while on-pitch performance has further boosted the brand’s

”

strength. This is a positive signal for future sponsorship

performance, and Bayern is already the football club with highest commercial revenue in the world – these factors all come together to boost brand and business value.

LaLiga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona retain gold and silver

Real Madrid remains the most valuable football club brand in the world for the third consecutive year, despite recording a 10% brand value decline to €1,276 million. The club still maintains a slight lead ahead of fierce rivals Barcelona in second spot, with a brand value of €1,266 million, also declining by 10% this year.

While the LaLiga giants remain on the podium for 2021, it has now been three years since a Spanish club has reached the final of the UEFA Champions League, with the last appearance being Real Madrid’s victory over Liverpool in 2018. Despite this, both Spanish clubs have consistently been able to secure Champions League qualification year after year, with the last time either club failed to reach the groups stages now more than 20 years ago. This consistent influx of Champions League revenues and status has played a central role in both clubs’ overall success.

39

a d v i c e

Top 10 most valuable club brands

Close behind Real Madrid and Barcelona, Manchester United has retained third place despite suffering a 14% decline in brand value to €1,130 million. The club will be looking to capitalise on a stronger season under Solskjær securing second place in the Premier League and booking their place in the Europa League final against Villareal on 26th May – as well as re-establishing themselves as League contenders and a powerhouse within Europe.

Neighbours and bitter rivals Manchester City are now just 1% (€12 million) behind Manchester United in brand value - the closest the two clubs have ever been in their history.

Within the top 10, only Manchester City in 4th (down 1% to €1,118 million) and Bayern Munich (up 1% to €1,068 million) in 5th avoided significant brand value decreases, resulting in both clubs climbing one spot in the ranking.

Liverpool, which had seen a resurgence under Jürgen Klopp, winning both the 19/20 UEFA Champions League and claiming the English Premier League title last year, have struggled this year, finding themselves battling for a place in next year’s Europa League. This, coupled with the impacts of COVID-19, has caused the club to suffer a 23% decrease in brand value to €973 million, seeing them fall from 4th to 6th in the rankings. Resecuring their position in Europe’s premier knock-out competition will be critical in driving future growth.

PSG (down 8% to €887 million) in 7th, Chelsea (down 19% to €769 million) in 8th, Tottenham (down 8% to €723 million) in 9th, and Arsenal (down 6% to € 675 million) in 10th have all retained their positions in the top 10, with declines in brand value recorded across the board.

40

Clubs hoping to sack COVID-19 in the 21/22 season

Clubs have continued to lose out on key ticketing and other matchday revenue as COVID-19 has kept doors closed to the majority, with only small groups of fans able to attend a handful of fixtures over the campaign.

The pandemic also brought many sponsorship deals under the microscope as football was put on hold for a portion of 2020, meaning uncertainty vested in whether sponsors would enjoy the brand exposure, activation, and return they had originally expected. The adverse impact has been felt across the top 50 club brands with total brand value declining by 11.2% versus a 2.2% drop last year.

League representation The English Premier League remains the most represented league within the top 50 with 18 clubs featuring and accounting for 43% of total brand value.

The Bundesliga is the second most represented league, with 10 clubs featuring in the top 50, up from eight in 2020. While they have more clubs in the ranking than LaLiga, the Spanish League represents 20% of the total brand value compared to the Bundesliga’s 19%.

Italian clubs make up 8% of total brand value but are still without representation within the top 10, with Juventus (down 16% to €565 million) currently sitting in 11th position.

Just three French teams are represented within the top 50: Paris Saint-Germain (down 8% to €887 million) in 7th; Lyon (down 11% to €161 million) in 27th, and Marseille (down 19% to €105 million) in 46th. The Netherlands (Ajax), Russia (Zenit) and Portugal (Porto) each have one club featured in the top 50 this year.

Gazprom supplying the energy Zenit need This year’s largest increases in brand value come from Zenit (up 35% to €135 million), Aston Villa (up 28% to €147 million), and new entrant Leeds (up 26% to €117 million).

Zenit St Petersburg is Russia’s sole representative in the top 50 and boasts the 15th highest reported revenue of any club. The club have now won the Russian Premier League for two consecutive seasons and benefitted from a lucrative commercial deal with Gazprom. A second successive year of guaranteed UEFA Champions League participation will supplement broadcasting revenues further as the club’s take from Europe far outweighs the domestic distribution.

View the full Brand Finance Football 50 2021 report here

41

a d v i c e

Top Five Football Shirt Sponsorship Deals Worth Over

$1.7B,

Real Madrid Tops with

$413M

O

ver the last few decades, football kits and shirts have become much more than sportswear keeping footballers comfortable while playing matches and winning trophies.

Today, sportswear brands are willing to pay a staggering amount of money to be the official kit providers of football clubs.

However, other companies and corporations are also investing millions of dollars into lucrative football shirt sponsorship deals.

According to data presented by 123scommesse.it, the five biggest current football shirt sponsorship deals hit over $1.7bn value. With $413 million worth of sponsorship deal, Real Madrid tops this list.

42

Real Madrid Makes $82.5M Per Year from Sponsorship Deal with Emirates One of the first things that comes to mind when mentioning football kits is the staggering amount of money they can generate for football clubs, both from the merchandising side and corporate sponsorships.

According to Forbes data, Real Madrid remains the leading football club for commercial revenue, pulling in $424 million during the 2019/20 season from advertising, and sponsorships, a 55% increase in five years. The famous Spanish club also tops the ranking of the most valuable football shirt sponsorship deals. In 2017, the club signed a five-year sponsorship deal with Emirates, which brings them $82.5 million per year.

Statistics show Tottenham Hotspur has the second most valuable shirt sponsorship deal among football clubs.

In August 2013, the Hong Kong multinational insurance and finance corporation, AIA Group, became the official shirt partner of the English Premier League football club.

The contract was renewed in May 2017 and again in July 2019 to extend to the end of the 2026/27 season.

The $400 million worth sponsorship deal brings $50 million to the club per year.

Manchester United Replaced Shirt Sponsor Chevrolet with TeamViewer, Deal Worth $325M The largest Premier League club, Manchester United, ranked third on this list. The club recently replaced shirt sponsor Chevrolet with TeamViewer, a German software company.

The deal begins in the coming 2021/22 season and will pay Manchester United nearly $65 million over five years. Although that is less than the amount paid by the carmaker under the club’s previous deal, the new $325 million worth of agreement includes fewer commercial rights. That means the club can search for another automotive sponsor or even exceed the original deal with Chevrolet.

FC Barcelona has the fourth most valuable shirt sponsorship deal among football clubs.

In 2017, the world's leading football club by revenue signed a five-year sponsorship deal with one of the top internet companies, Rakuten. The $324 million worth contract brings the club around $65 million per year.

Statistics show FC Bayern Munich closes the top five list. In 2015, the German club signed a $283 million worth sponsorship deal with Deutsche Telekom, which will expire in the 2022/2023 season.

Read the full story here: https:// www.123scommesse.it/pr/top-fivefootball-shirt-sponsorship-deals-worthover-1-7b-real-madrid-tops-with-413m/

43

a d v i c e

HMRC changes to the tax treatment of payments made to football agents B ack g r o u nd

A

s an industry, football generates a significant amount of tax for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), both directly through player salaries and indirectly through broadcast rights, tourism and hospitality and given the large sums involved, it is expected that it will continue to be a growing focus area for HMRC.

HMRC have been particularly focused on payments made to players for their image rights and payments made to agents. The number of footballers investigated by HMRC rose dramatically in the tax year 2019-20, increasing from 87 to 246 individuals. The number of investigations into the tax affairs of football agents also increased substantially, more than doubling from 23 in 2018-19 to 55 in 2019-20. It is also understood HMRC are currently investigating over 40 football clubs. HMRC’s overall additional tax collected from investigations into professional football in the year ending 31 March 2020, stood at £73.1m, more than double the previous £35.3m figure. HMRC has also instigated a number of criminal investigations into clubs, agents and players having conducted a number of dawn raids and made several arrests.

Football players often use agents to assist with their contract negotiations with football clubs. Football clubs often use the services of an intermediary or agent in their negotiations with prospective and current players. Typically, those services will be either negotiations to sign a new football player or contract renegotiations with current football club players; they may also include negotiations for players to leave and join new clubs. The same agent may represent the player or prospective player in such negotiations, this is known as ‘dual representation’. The same agent might also represent the selling football club too.

The football club will pay the relevant agent for the services that the agent provides to the club and it may also pay the agent on behalf of the player. Payments which a club makes on behalf of the player are taxable as employment income of the player. Usually, the club pays the agent’s fee in full, and a proportion is then treated as paid on behalf of the player and taxed on the player as a benefit-inkind. Until the release of HMRC’s new guidance (discussed further below), the widely accepted best practice in the industry which had been agreed with HMRC, was for a fee payable in cases of dual representation to be split equally (50:50) between services conducted for the player (which the player then paid tax on) and services provided to the club (on which the player was not subject to tax).

44

H M R C ’ s n e w g u i danc e On 31 March 2021, HMRC released new guidance (HMRC’s new guidance) in relation to payments made to football agents, particularly where those agents have worked on behalf of both player and club in brokering a transfer or new contract (ie dual representation).

HMRC state in the new guidance that their aim is to formalise the approach they have started to take in enquiries into the personal tax returns of an increasing number of players over the last few years.

HMRC’s new guidance makes it clear that HMRC will seek to enquire into any tax returns where they do not consider that a player’s P11D includes an accurate figure for the agent’s fees that the club has paid on the player’s behalf.

For the purposes of HMRC’s new guidance, the term payment includes gratuities and gifts and amounts paid regardless of the outcome of the negotiations.

In cases of dual representation, it may be necessary to split the payment made by the club to the agent to reflect the extent to which the agent represented the club and the player and how much of that payment is therefore attributable to the services provided by the agent to each of them. HMRC will no longer accept a default split of 50:50. Instead, HMRC expects an evidenced and commercial justification for any payments made. HMRC expect any contractual

arrangements between clubs, agents and players to reflect the substance of the negotiations and the work and services provided. Where multiple agents are paid in respect of the same player, HMRC expect agents and clubs to retain documentation to sufficiently evidence the work and services provided by each agent. Services include, but are not limited to, negotiations, payments made for player recruitment, scouting services, consultancy work and introductions.

W ha t r e c o rds sh o u ld b e k e p t b y t h e pla y e r and / o r a g e n t ?

T he a ge n t’s re cords HMRC’s new guidance provides some examples of the records and/or documents that players and agents may wish to consider keeping in order to provide evidence of the nature of the arrangements into which they have entered and the commercial justification for payments that have been made.

T h e pla ye r’s re co rd s • discussions held with the agent during the transfer or contract negotiations; • the player’s understanding of any conversation resulting in their agent being engaged by the club as well as by them.

• contemporaneous evidence of the agent’s engagement by the club, the instructions given, and the level of fee discussed/agreed; • contemporaneous evidence of the work carried out for the club; • contemporaneous evidence of the work carried out for the player; • evidence to support the basis of any split in the agent’s fee paid in respect of the services provided to the club and player; • evidence to support any variation of the fees shown in the player/agent representation agreement and the subsequent tri-partite agreement.

All of the above records should include keeping copies of letters, contracts, faxes, memos, notes of meeting, notes of telephone calls, iMessages, SMS/text messages and emails.

45

a d v i c e

W ha t ar e t h e r i sk i nd i ca t o rs o r fac t o rs t ha t H M R C w i ll l o o k o u t f o r ?

There are a number of risk indicators or factors that HMRC consider present additional risk which may cause HMRC to conduct a further and more detailed review of arrangements into which clubs, agents and players have entered into which include, but are not limited to, the following: • payments treated as a benefit to the player that are less than the amount the player is due to make to the agents under existing player/ agent agreement;

• agents acting for both selling and buying club in the same transaction;

• payments to individuals who are connected with (or family members of ) the player;

• payments to corporate (or other) entities that are controlled by

individuals who are connected with family members of the player;

• payments to those acting as sub-agents;

• payments that are said to be 100% for club services where it is not clear that another party is acting for the player;

• payments to agents where they are said to act for corporate entities (typically based in tax havens) that appear to have little or no substance.

46

W ha t ac t i o n sh o u ld b e t ak e n b y pla y e rs and a g e n t s aff e c t e d b y HMRC’s new g u i danc e ?

W ha t d o e s H M R C ’ s n e w g u i danc e m e an f o r aff e c t e d cl u bs , a g e n t s and / o r pla y e rs ?

Whilst the HMRC’s guidance might appear at first glance to clarify HMRC’s position on this issue for clubs, agents and players, it in fact creates a great deal of uncertainty. Prior to publication of HMRC’s new guidance, there was clarity in the industry on how to split the services undertaken by agents and the widely accepted best practice was for a fee payable in cases of dual representation to be split equally (50:50) between services conducted for the player and services provided for the club. As every negotiation has unique qualities, this approach provided certainty.

HMRC’s new guidance seems to suggest that each dual representation arrangement and/or contract negotiation will have to be considered on its own merits when considering the records and/or documents maintained by the clubs, agents and players involved. This has the potential to lead to disagreement and dispute. HMRC may consider that a different split for the services undertaken is more appropriate, but it is unclear from the new guidance exactly how HMRC’s will approach this in each case, or whether there will be an acceptable ‘default’ position which may be assumed to be acceptable subject of course to the facts suggesting otherwise.

• consider whether any of the

risk indicators or factors apply to the transfer

• keep accurate and complete

records / documents relating to each dual representation arrangement and/or contract negotiation as set out above; and

Arguably, HMRC’s new guidance demonstrates a lack of understanding on the part of HMRC of how things work in practice in the football industry. Not only do the above record/document keeping requirements place a significant burden on clubs, agents and players it is also impractical to expect such detailed written records to be maintained in a potential dual representation and/or contract negotiation, especially where multiple parties are involved, some of whom may be located abroad, and there is a short turnaround time. The value an agent brings to a transfer cannot be looked at on a time spent basis alone. The uncertainty which HMRC’s new guidance creates, together with the new record/document keeping requirements may cause dual representation arrangements and/or contract negotiations to be delayed or even break down altogether.

Michelle Sloane Partner Michelle.Sloane@rpc.co.uk

• carefully consider the most

appropriate split in each relevant situation and be prepared to justify the split to HMRC should that become necessary.

and RPC LLP

Alexis Armitage Associate Alexis.Armitage@rpc.co.uk

+44 20 3060 6255

47

fo o t b a l l e r s

l i fe

Get Online

Advice & Luxury Lifestyle www.footballerslife.com

footballerslife

footballerslifemagazine

footballerslife

E-mail duncan@footballerslife.com in strictest confidence

50

@footballerslife

t a l k

t o

t h e

om

as tuc h

E RC

EHI e x

e

54

e

52

H

ar

ry M a g u i r e

h

l

T

EB

p l aye r s

56

Talk to the Players e grant Cr

O

ll

i e wat k i n

60

s

ja

mie

Va r d

y

o Ro n al

64

o

58

ian

d

st

i

Le

62

51

t a l k

t o

t h e

p l aye r s

THOMAS TUCHEL

T

HOMAS TUCHEL is not your average football manager looking to other sports coaches for tips on how to be a leader.

“It's about leadership with people, and that can, like I said, include teachers and anybody else who are responsible for people and for groups, and there you can get inspired.

Some bosses have liked to visit an NFL training camp or link up with NBA teams to find out how the best in other sports go about harnessing the talent at their disposal.

“But I also talk to leaders in sports and to leaders out there of different organisations.

And in England there has long been a tradition to pay a visit to a rugby union national training camp in order to see if there are little nuggets which can be transferred to the round ball game and lead to an improvement in performance.

“Sometimes when there is time and you speak to them, and you get influenced, you have your notes and years later you go through your notes and you find some stuff where you feel more comfortable now.

But while Chelsea’s personable manager Tuchel says he is constantly open to learning from others, those he leans on for lessons are not the average over-achievers in world sport,

“Because honestly the leadership, in my experience, is a constant change, and it's also the need to constantly adapt your style to what is needed and to your group and to change yourself and to develop and to grow.

The German says: “They are teachers. Unknown persons, teachers of classes, the person who runs the school of my daughters.

And having led the Blues to Champions League glory for only the second time in the club’s history, few could argue that whatever leftfield ideas he has, they are working.

“This can be half an hour talking with people who sell stuff. It's doesn't matter, it's not important that you speak to the biggest names and the biggest guys out there in the world.

52

“I absolutely have the goal that I'm not the same coach anymore, like I was in mind when I was in Dortmund or even in Paris. It is simply not possible, it's not what I want to be.

“Some values stay with me and some in some methods you constantly change and adapt because this is how I feel my role.

“

I want to be a part of this whole group and I want to be a part of Chelsea, and I want to play my role, and I want to lead by example.

And I feel very good in the moment.

“

There is no perfect training ou t there either, it simply does not exist.

What has been clear already in the short time the former Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain manager has been in England, he insists on presenting a united front.

The 47-year-old makes it clear that you get nowhere operating in a system where the coaching team is separate from the playing side of things at Stamford Bridge, and the squad have quickly bought into his all-for-one approach.

He added: “In the end, we want to reach objectives together.

“There’s no coaching staff and the players, there has to be a connection between us and when they understand where they are, the better it is because I also like to know if I reach the player or if I don’t reach the player, and there are many ways to reach them.

“Some like the way you are and some have their problems. But you need to maybe explain it after the training, maybe put your arm around their shoulder after training and make sure they don’t take it personal. The best way is to encourage them.

“

like to create many, e w ng ni ai tr in , lly ca si Ba we can succeed. many situations where

”

“From there on, we want to encourage them to do this over and over again and to ask them to find the solutions and not the other way round that we are getting too critical on things that don’t run perfect because there is no perfect game out there.

“There is no perfect training out there either, it simply does not exist.”

”

It has helped clear any threat of a hangover caused

by Lampard’s departure and the signs are there that he is able to make a big impact on the English game.

There is a relaxed approach to the job which has been welcomed with open arms at Chelsea, a club who had endured the pain of having to dispense with a fan-favourite in Frank Lampard after a disappointing period of results.

But behind the public face there is a man who lives and breathes every aspect of management, the highs and the lows. And for Tuchel, there is nothing that hurt more than the pain of the late, controversial Champions League exit at the hands of Manchester United when he was in charge of PSG two years ago.

Tuchel said: “I can be very honest after that match I was two days in a very dark place, and I can tell you I was not able to speak to anybody and to think about anything else than this defeat.

“That maybe is the worst defeat that I experienced because it came from nowhere. It was in a way, in the circumstances that it arrived, I was for two day in a dark place for a coach to be at.

“It was particular, I didn’t experience anything like this ever again or before. It was in the circumstances, this game, how we arrived there, the pressure around the club concerning the round of 16, the history before and the result of the first match and the way the second match went with the VAR decision in the last minute.

“It was like it came from absolutely nowhere and that’s why this hit was hard to take. But, like I said, I was two days in a dark place but then we gave the players two days off and I think that was the best for everybody.

“After that, it’s like this in sports, it can teach you that you have to stand up and accept that a defeat is sometimes necessary to grow and develop and to ask yourself decisive questions.

“That can hurt and the reward was one year later, it was almost the perfect reward when we arrived in the final and we came a long way for that. It was through adversity and it’s often said that it makes you stronger.”

53

t a l k

t o

t h e

p l aye r s

EZE EBERCEHI

EBERCEHI EZE has emerged this season a Premier League star in his own right – despite the nightmare of his Achilles injury in the final weeks of the campaign.

The midfielder is regarded as one of the top flight’s best emerging talents – a Rolls Royce of a player who glides across the pitch at odds with the rough and tumble of the top flight game.

He said: “I always get emotional when I think about the moment I signed my first professional contract with QPR. My family and I had no business being in that building.

But had it not been for an extraordinary inner drive and refusal to give up, the 22-yearold would have been lost to the game.

“We had to fight for our right to be in that position. You could have told me this would happen one day but at so many times on my come up, it just wouldn’t have seemed possible.

It seems strange to believe now, but Eze was rejected by SEVEN other clubs across the country on a nationwide tour he embarked on desperate to make it in the game.

“You turn on the TV and see a Premier League player, but you don’t always see the hard work and obstacles so many young players face in chasing that dream.

Arsenal, Fulham, Reading, Norwich, Millwall, Bristol City and Sunderland all decided he didn’t have what it takes to make it as a professional.

“I joined Arsenal as a nine-year-old but got released at 13. It was the hardest day of my life. I was with Fulham until I was 16-years-old but they released me in the run up to Christmas.

But he refused to give up and is now shining bright in the Premier League – and will not look out of place up against Pep Guardiola’s champions elect.

It is a lesson for all young footballers across the UK, one which Eze himself

54

has written about in an open letter he published yesterday to celebrate a boot deal with top firm New Balance.

“I went to Norwich for a week but didn’t get picked up. I played with Reading until the end of that season before I got released for a third time.

“I finally did a trial at Millwall and did my scholarship for two years but when it came

time to turn pro, I wasn’t offered a deal.

“My situation was hard. I literally had to go on a UK tour as an 18-year-old to keep my dream alive. I had a trial game for Bristol City but I had one of the worst performances of my life and they dragged me out by my ears.

“I even travelled all the way to Sunderland for a one week try out. You can imagine how crazy that was for me, being so far away from home for the first time.

“Seven professional clubs didn’t think I was good enough. I became numb to rejection – but I was more determined with every setback to make my dream happen.

“Three things got me through those moments. Faith. Family. Fun. “I didn’t concern myself with what others had to say about me and I always wanted to prove myself everytime I stepped out on the pitch. I had faith.

“I was always inspired by my dad, my mum, my older sister and my older bro. They were there for me every step of the way and I knew I’d repay them. I had family.

“

I lost my fear of failure, and that inspired me to be an even more expressive player when I was on the pitch.

“I always expressed myself with a ball at my feet. I wanted to enjoy myself. I had fun. Those lessons shaped my career and I learned them in South London.”

Ultimately it was Queens Park Rangers who saw the light and handed Eze his first professional deal – but so burned by past experiences he had become he didn’t believe it would actually happen.

He added: “I built up resilience.

Every time I was told “no”, my mind said “yes”. I really believed that what wouldn’t kill me could only make me stronger.

“I lost my fear of failure, and that inspired me to be an even more expressive player when I was on the pitch. If I could deal with a club telling me I wasn’t good enough, you better believe I could ride a hard tackle in the middle of a game.

“Trial ends badly? No stress, I know I just need to work even harder and play with even more fearlessness next time out.

“In 2016, I finally linked up with QPR.

I immediately had people at the club who believed in me. Chris Ramsey, Andrew Impey and Paul Hall all gave me guidance and support.

That’s what any young player needs, and I know now it’s what I didn’t have on the football side ever since I was released by Arsenal.

“Andrew said the minute they saw me, they knew they wanted me at their club. They already wanted me to be in the first team picture.

“The day they offered me a pro deal, I was determined to do whatever it took to sign the paper. When I heard rumours it was happening, I asked if we could turn it around that same day.

“My anxiety was so high from previous rejections that I had legitimate concerns that if they saw me train a few more times, they’d rescind the offer.

“I wanted it done ASAP. No doubt. I knew it was my time.

“It eventually took just a couple of weeks to sort out, and it felt like home. I heard my contract was ready

when I was in the car on my way home – the first thing I did was ask for the car to be turned around so I could finally put pen to paper and call myself a professional footballer.

“Signing for Crystal Palace last summer felt right. I was coming back to South London and I was fulfilling a lifelong ambition of playing in the Premier League.

“One of the proudest moments of my career was seeing my family after my first Premier League game.

I was so grateful for everything they’d sacrificed to bring me here.

“They’d worked hard to put food on the table, they’d spent evenings and weekends taking me to and from games, and they’d invested love in me and my dreams at every step.

“I was proud to have made them proud.

“We looked at the pitch that night and thought about the Greenwich fields I took my first steps in, about the estate that my mum would drag me in from when the sun finally set each evening.”

55

t a l k

t o

t h e

p l aye r s

HARRY

MAGUIRE HARRY MAGUIRE has endured the kind of year which is one of the pitfalls of being a top footballer.

Struggles with form, scrutiny over a large price tag and off-field problems following a summer holiday left the Manchester United defender a sitting target for criticism.

Matters finally came to a head last October when the centre-back was sent-off for two poor challenges in the first half of England’s Nations League clash with Denmark.

It was at that point when the crescendo of criticism reached boiling point, with demands from pundits, fans and the media for him to be taken out of the firing line to spare him more anguish.

They say it is in moments of crisis that you find out who your real friends are, and for Maguire that meant receiving total trust and backing of his managers for club and country.

56

Both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Gareth Southgate refused to buckle and stood squarely behind the 28-year-old when he needed them most – backing Maguire admits was important to him.

The United star said: “Obviously getting the red card against Denmark was disappointing for myself.

“The support that I’ve got from friends, family, and obviously Gareth and Ole at Manchester United, the faith that they’ve shown in me and the trust that they’ve shown in me to keep picking me, keep playing me.

“When I’m available, I’ve always been selected in the England squad, so that gives me great confidence and I feel the trust with that.

“I think a big thing when you are going through downs, you know that you’ll always come out if you keep strong and keep fighting and keep working hard.”

“You go through ups and downs and it’s about how you bounce back and believing in yourself and working hard and that’s only what you can do.”

The have helped each other through their troubles to such an extent that, once the end of season ankle injury is firmly behind him, Maguire and Stones are likely to be at the heart of the back line for the remainder of England’s European Championship challenge.

A partnership which helped the Three Lions reach the semi-final of the World Cup in Russia, there had been a gap of two years in them playing together again before March’s Qatar 2022 qualifying win over Albania.

All a far cry from the time when they were rivals as hopeful schoolkids trying to make the grade.

Maguire added: “We always speak, away from football.

He’s a good friend, like I said I grew up with him, I grew up playing against him when he was at Barnsley.

It wasn’t only at Old Trafford, though, that Maguire found help and support. It also arrived from someone playing for Manchester rivals City.

John Stones is someone the Yorkshireman has known since childhood, a friendship built up when they were both trying to develop into pros – Maguire at Sheffield United and Stones at Barnsley.

“We’re not far from each other where we actually grew up and lived and come through.

“We grew up playing against each other a lot. He was the year below me. But when you formed in the under 16s when the 15s played the 16s I ended up playing against him a lot.

“I always knew he had great talent he was always great on the ball, technically very good.

They have stayed close ever since, and at a time when both were having to overcome their own personal challenges, they helped each other out.

“And the rivalry always continued when I was playing at Sheffield United, he was a Barnsley. It was always a big game and the one that we wanted to get the better of them on.

While Maguire was going through much of his difficulties in the glare of the public, Stones had to endure his problems largely alone as he found his place at City hard to nail down.

“You could always see from a young age, he was an excellent player, great ability on the ball and I think he’s shown that throughout his career.”

Out of Pep Guardiola’s plans for much of last season, it is only this current campaign where he has finally rediscovered his best form to become a mainstay of Pep Guardiola’s impressive side.

Maguire revealed: “We spoke to each other through times where it was tough.

“We spoke when it was tough and we speak when it's going well. I'm close with John I want him to play as well as you can without winning football matches if possible.

“When you play centre-back especially, week in, week out, you're gonna have some ups, you're gonna have some downs, you're gonna be at fault.

“You're not going to go throughout your career without being at fault for goals. You get scrutinised when you play in the Premier League so you expect that.

“It's about how strong you are mentally and how you can come through it and I'm pleased to see John, he's back playing and back playing with confidence playing really well - and for myself I feel exactly the same.

57

t a l k

t o

t h e

p l aye r s

Lee

Grant

I

T takes a special character to be a goalkeeper – and something even more to be happy to accept life as a number three.

Training hard day in, day out. Travelling home and away across Europe for not much more than a seat in the stands watching others play in games.

That’s the life Lee Grant has lived for the last three years at Manchester United, limiting him to just just two appearances in the Carabao Cup and Europa League.

But for the 37-year-old, there is method in what some would say is madness.

He said: “It doesn't matter how long into career you are, you still find that frustration on a Saturday when you're not playing “I know I’m at Manchester United, you've got some of the best goalkeepers in the world in front of you, but you still have that personal pride and professionalism. You want to play.

“In one respect being a number three

58

here is ideal, then in another respect, if you speak to my wife, she'll say 'I need to get him playing because he comes home and from one minute to the next, I don't know what I'm dealing with'.

“I’m walking in like a zombie moaning that I'm still good enough to play and I'm training my b******s off, working at a hard level.

“I then want that reward at the end, which is the weekend's game.

And that's the bit you miss.

“Sometimes she'll say 'just go and play then if it's good doing your head in that much'. And then I'll go ‘well, what's the big picture again?’.”

The big picture in Grant’s mind is retirement looming on the horizon, a step into coaching and management – and a choice to be made in the coming months about his future as his contract runs down.

He finds himself split on the nagging thought he knows he can still cut it

as a goalkeeper in the professional game or staying in a role he loves and offers opportunities vital to his career post-retirement.

He said: “I’m looking at what next year looks like, and an ideal scenario would be United are loving what they’re getting from me and let’s look at another year.

“But I’ve got a look at it from my own perspective. Do I want to spend whatever is left of my career, doing what I’m doing?

Or do I want to go and have one last hurrah somewhere, a little swan song?”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has opened up the doors to the coaching rooms to him, and the former Stoke and Derby keeper has been like a sponge learning from the manager and his coaches Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna.

But it is likely to only be when Solskjaer and United know what their plans are for their goalkeepers when Grant will know what path his career takes in the coming year.

In the meantime his education goes on, not least taking notes on how Solskjaer has handled the first team opportunities handed to David de Gea and Dean Henderson to keep them both happy.

He added: “We’re seeing it now at our football club with Dean and David, and I think the managers handled that situation wonderfully well because actually, at the start of the season there were big question marks on how that was going to work and the dynamics within the group.

“He’s managed to keep two very good goalkeepers happy.

“There’s lots of ifs buts and maybes to happen between now and the end of the season with other goalkeepers and their situations.

that they’re still opportunities here for me, so I don’t know.

“Part of the reason I came here was that I get a chance and the opportunity to be around top players, World Cup Winners, champions, league winners, Premier League winners, and be in that elite environment.

“I want to coach and I want to manage you see. So being at Manchester United gives me a wonderful platform to go on and do all of that stuff.

“The managers here - Jose was brilliant, Ole’s been first class as well, in terms of the access they give me to, just to be in, in and around the coaching side of things as well.

“Currently you’ve got David, Deano and myself as the three senior goalkeepers and then we’ve got a young lad, Nathan Bishop, who’s a wonderful young goalkeeper,

“The two first team coaches, Kieran and Michael, are quality with me.

I’m always in the office with them chucking ideas around. And they’re great, they allow me to come and sit in on the analysis for games.

“There’s lots of water to go under the bridge with Sergio Romero and his situation, the young goalkeepers whether they’ll be going out on loan for experience, which would then maybe mean

“And since Project Restart you had a reduction in amount of traveling staff to games and it gave us a dilemma as a club because the manager likes me to be around and travel everywhere we go.

“So the manager rejigged it and they had me down as a member of staff instead of a player so I could travel - literally to the degree where I had coaches gear on, had my initials on the kit, which was quite funny for the lads.

“It was brilliant - I’m sitting at the front of the bus or plane with the coaches, my hotel room was in a different room to the players, I had to sit with the staff on match days.

“On the coach I’m downstairs sat next to the gaffer and for probably four or five minutes it felt odd but then strangely I quite enjoyed the transition.

“The gaffer was brilliant, wasn’t like, ‘Oh, s*** Granty is sat down here, we can’t have a conversation about x,y, or z. In fact, it was the opposite, they actually welcomed me in.

“That side of it for me, is part of the reason why I love being here is because I do get that opportunity.

“I am glad I still have the hunger.

But I absolutely see the benefits for me being here. And I think that one of the big things is I always I feel valued here.”

59

t a l k

t o

t h e

p l aye r s

Ollie Watkins LLIE WATKINS is a prime example that you don’t have to have come through an elite academy to make it as a Premier League star.

Watkins is following the likes of Les Ferdinand, Ian Wright and latterly Jamie Vardy on the well-trodden path of bouncing back from adversity as a youngster to achieving success as an adult, The Aston Villa striker has gone from starring for western to just missing out on the final cut for the England squad this summer And the 25-year-old is in no doubt his loan spell in the sixth tier of English football along with being on his best behaviour at family gatherings has played a huge part in helping him reach the top.

“I’ve had some tough times on the way, but also some good ones.”

Clearly one of the things that has changed within the English game over the past few years is the attitude of players to give themselves the best opportunity to succeed.

Dedication and training has always been important, but now players are looking at the smallest details in an attempt to try to improve themselves.

Mental performance coaches, nutritionists and other experts are being consulted – and Watkins himself admits he tried to get information about how England captain Harry Kane conducts himself in a bid to gain an edge.

The Villa centre-forward said: “Looking back, it has been a bit of a journey, but it's been a great journey.

He added: “I was actually speaking to the strength and conditioning coach with England about three and a half years ago, because he came into Brentford for a day. I was asking him what was Harry Kane’s routine like?

“There are a lot of sacrifices I’ve had to make.

Some are small but pay off in the end.

“A few years later, I’m training with him. So, yeah, is a bit of a shock but enjoyable as well.”

“You have a family gathering and they are drinking on a Sunday with a takeaway and you’ve got training the next day.

Now there is no more looking up to captain Kane, but the challenge of actually trying to oust him from the side over the coming years.

“I’ve said ‘sorry, I’m not going to have that beer’ or ‘I’m going to have chicken and rice’. Little things like that make the small percentages add up.

“Some players can get away with it but personally I don’t feel that I can, so they are the small sacrifices I make.

60

“I definitely had a switch in my mentality.

Western was a massive key in my development.

Watkins added: “Everyone knows what he is capable of and there is a lot of other talented English strikers as well – and attacking players.

“Obviously I spent a lot of time at Western and I think that played a big on my development.

“It is always going to be hard playing for England for a start, let alone trying to take a position. But I am just trying to be the best player I can be.

“Playing men’s football for the first time, going out on loan, realising how much it meant to people, they had mortgages to pay and kids to feed.

“If I get my opportunity, just to try to perform well and make an impact on the team and see where we go from there.”

“

I definitely had a switch in my mentality.

Western was a massive key in my development.

”

61

t a l k

t o

t h e

p l aye r s

Rochester

Way

Why Vardy is turning his sights on to continue his story

J

AMIE VARDY has decided to follow the lead of David Beckham and move into football club ownership in America.

Vardy has no intentions of hanging up his boots just yet and at 34 year-old remains as committed to firing the goals to help Leicester establish themselves as one of the top club in England.

But the former England international has finally followed up on a long-standing interest in the Rochester Rhinos by taking part ownership of the team.

The Rhinos, based in the Rochester area of New York, are the only non-MLS side to have won the prestigious US Open Cup competition in the States.

Established in 1996, they grew to be a successful team with a big fanbase, including becoming national champion four times.

But the club has not competed at any level since 2017 when they were operating in the USL, the second tier of football in America.

That is all set to change now that Vardy has taken a minority stake in the outfit, with a return to competitive football planned for 2022.

62

“

the only lower-league club to win the U.S. Open Cup

The striker had been in negotiations for two years with the Dworkin family, who have owned the Rhinos since 2016, and finally decided to take the plunge over the last few months.

Vardy said: “I’m really excited to be part of the Rhinos. I’ve been looking at opportunities in the United States for a while, but there was something about Rochester and the Rhinos that just felt right.

“I love the story of the US Open Cup win, and although the club has been through some difficult years since, in a way that makes this more appealing to me.

“Once I started speaking to David and Wendy (Dworkin) - and we’ve had so many conversations via video calls - I could see how enthusiastic they are about the Rhinos, and I knew that I wanted to get involved and try to play a part in helping to turn things around.

“It won’t be easy, but I never do anything the easy way in life!

“It’s going to be a lot different to what I’ve been used to for the last 10 years, but I’m looking forward to getting stuck into it.

“I think it kind of resonates with me because of what they’ve achieved in the past — the only lower-league club to win the U.S. Open Cup, the only team to have ever done it who’s outside MLS. “It’s all about bringing that back and trying to replicate it — but we also want to bring it back even better than it was before.”

One of the key incentives for Vardy is to try and develop a new system of progression for young players Stateside similar to the work he has been doing with his V9 Academy in England.

That project gave another opportunity for talented youngsters in the non-league game to have a second crack at making it as professionals – a path Vardy knows all too well having progressed from amateur player to England international and Premier League winner himself.

”

Rochester have agreed a partnership to the well respected Empire United Soccer Academy, which will operate in tandem with the Rhinos to provide a pathway to the first team for elite local players.

The Dworkin family also part-owns the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, and David Dworkin said: “This is a huge coup for Rochester and the Rhinos.

“Jamie Vardy is known throughout the soccer world because of his success and his inspirational story, and we are delighted that he has chosen to join us as a co-owner.

“Aside from the experience, knowledge, and profile that Jamie will bring to our club, one of the things that has really shone through during our discussions with him is how incredibly passionate he is about this project.

“Jamie absolutely shares our desire to give Rochester a successful soccer team again.”

63

t a l k

t o

t h e

p l aye r s

agua!

O

NE of the biggest images of the European Championship was seeing Cristiano Ronaldo remove a bottle of CocaCola from view as he was about to conduct a press conference.

Ronaldo, one of the biggest brands in global sport, did not want to be associated with the soft drink who are one of the tournament sponsors of the Euros.

It is said that one gesture wiped as much as $4billion off the value of the company for a short time, and some experts believe it could change the face of how commercial deals are done going forward.

Ben Peppi, Head of Sports Services at JMW Solicitors, says: “If one

64

athlete at the very top of the game can make such a significant impact with such a small gesture, the global athlete community has the power to demand that the sports they partake in be more responsible when it comes to selecting their commercial partners, as Paul Pogba also did by removing a Heineken bottle from his press conference.

“Responsibility now falls on rights holders to promote best practices, good health and inspire younger generations.

“Major professional clubs, events and rights holders must investigate their sponsors’ human rights records, explore the dangers of promoting betting products to their fan base and now satisfy themselves with the ingredients in their food & beverage partnership category.

agua! agua! agua! agua! agua!

“Never has food high in (saturated) fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) been so important to commercial teams as it will be now. Why Coca-Cola didn’t use one of their water brands instead of traditional Coca-Cola bottles in the press conference is mystifying given it was a sports event. With the gambling ban during live football, we may see the fast food category go next.‘’

which own and run mega sporting events, but also sign lucrative contracts with sports superstars.

But Dr Ping Wu, Senior Lecturer in Sports Sociology and Media Studies at the University of Bedfordshire, says modern sport is too deeply commercialised to ever break free from giants like Coca-Cola.

“As for Ronaldo himself, while he should be applauded for promoting a healthy diet, a lot of people can still remember him smiling in the Coca-Cola advertisement back in 2006.

He said: “Ronaldo’s actions are not going to change the relationship between football and big commercial sponsors.

“Obviously, being a health fanatic cannot explain his drastic change of attitude towards the same product convincingly. Only Ronaldo himself knows exactly why he took on Coca-Cola.

“Contemporary sport is deeply commercialised and concern for sponsorship, advertising revenue and ultimately money is built into every fibre of professional football. Commercial giants like Coca-Cola not only provide a lifeline for sports governing bodies

“No matter how sincerely Ronaldo fights against Coca-Cola, the basic fact remains the same: UEFA needs the sponsorship money paid by Coca-Cola and so do many other footballers.

“Overall, although social media gives stars like Ronaldo a big following and therefore some influence, this still pales in comparison to the financial power Coca-Cola exerts on football.”

65

a d v i c e

fo o t b a l l e r s

l i fe

Magazine Membership Join now on

members@footballerslife.com Become a member now to save 63%.

Annual membership (four issues) is £39 for a limited time, normally £80.

Visit www.footballerslife.com issuu.com/FootballersLife magazines.whsmith.co.uk

68

c a r s

Po

l e s ta r 1

70

69

c a r s

Polestar 1 Polestar 1 order books open for final production run

• Final build slots for Polestar 1 available; purchase exclusively at polestar.com • Electric performance hybrid with the longest electric-only range of any hybrid is a “technological tour-de-force”

• 609 hp and 1,000 Nm produced by seamless combination of electric motors; supercharged and turbocharged combustion engine

Final build slots for Polestar 1 – the Polestar brand’s electric performance hybrid halo car – are now available. Produced in Polestar’s leading production facility in Chengdu, China, Polestar 1 will see the completion of its production run towards the end of 2021.

70

As the halo of the Polestar lineup and the car which launched the brand, Polestar 1 features a crisp design and state-of-the-art technology, with 609 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque available from its hybrid powertrain. Electric first, the GT features two electric motors on the rear axle, complemented by a 2.0-litre supercharged and turbocharged

petrol engine and integrated starter generator at the front.

A carbon fibre body, 6-piston Akebono brakes and adjustable Öhlins Dual Flow Valve dampers turn driving Polestar 1 into a highly-tuned sensory experience, and with advanced features such as mechanical torque vectoring, it faithfully represents Polestar’s role as a guiding star for the advancement of technology.

Polestar 1 Review The Polestar 1 is a true head turner. A majestic modern automobile that is way ahead of the curve in both features and performance.

It takes a mere 4.1 seconds to reach a speed of 60 mph, an extremely impressive level of acceleration that will rival most high performance petrol cars available in the market. The Hybrid engine in the Polestar 1

combines power from a 2.0L petrol engine with a triage of electric motors, generating 609 HP, and my word when you put your foot down you can feel every bit of power behind you.

But a car as impressive as the Polestar 1 doesn’t just boast a fantastic amount of power. Every interior detail has been

thought through, from the vast, panoramic glass roof through to the amazing Bowers & Wilkins sound system that might just

produce a better quality of sound than your Bose home cinema. The overriding sense you get from the Polestar 1 is that it is valuable and every expense is justified.

The quality of the build is reflective of the comfort that is provided even when driving around the city on 21 inch alloy wheels.

Most plug-ins these days offer a range of between 20 and 30 miles, but the Polestar 1 boasts up to 77 miles on electric power alone meaning that those trips around the city can

be made economically (both in environment and monetary terms). Plus if you have enough juice in the batteries you can hit some serious speeds with minimal noise and the smoothest of rides, a unique, modern day beast.

Of course there are plenty of options available in the market, particularly for a car that retails at £139,000 but if you want to be different…

With 34 kWh of battery capacity, Polestar 1 still boasts the longest pure-electric driving range of any hybrid – 77 miles (WLTP) – which makes it usable in everyday situations as a pure electric vehicle.

Available to buy exclusively online at Polestar.com, interested customers can also visit Polestar Spaces in all launch markets where possible for a hands-on experience and test drive.

71

Me r c ede s A M G GT R Pr e mi um

At AMT we share the passion our customers have of special cars, and when it comes to the luxury, sports and performance market, no other company offers the breadth of flexible funding and acquisition options we do. Long-term rental, a range of 12 months to 60 months finance options or even outright purchase, we will find you the best funding option so you can drive the car you really want. Rent, lease, buy or sell with AMT.

Luxury SU V s a nd 4 x 4 s B e n t l e y B e n t ay g a V 8

P e rf o rma nc e a nd S u p e r c a r s Ferrari 488 Spyder

Pic k Up c on v e r si o n s M e r c e d e s X C l a ss w i t h U R B AN s t y l i n g

Premium, prestige and luxury vehicle specialists Flexible funding options from 12 months to five years | Daily and long-term rental Contract hire and finance lease | Specialist car sales New and used vehicle sourcing – any make and model | Vehicle and fleet purchasing

www.amtauto.co.uk | Telephone: 0113 333 9298

ar

le

s T y rw h

it

t

Ch

fa s h i o n

76

75

fa s h i o n

C h a rl e s T y rw hit t HOW TO MASTER SMART CASUAL with Charles Tyrwhitt UK born shirtmaker Charles Tyrwhitt knows a thing or two about how to dress to impress.

A

s our work and ‘casual Friday’ wardrobes continue to collide, the standard has become the revolution known as Smart Casual. Layer up a simple look and you will be working away in elegance. So whether you’re off to a meeting or heading to the pub garden, the brand is here to help! Tshares their top tips on how to master smart-casual dressing.

START WITH A PROPER SHIRT The ticket to a winning smart casual getup? A sharp shirt. Pick out a straightforward formal shirt, or try Tyrwhitt’s dedicated smart casual collection: smart yet laid-back in equal measures. They’re both Zoom-friendly and perfect for the odd office appearance, and you’ll always be well dressed for those spontaneous after-hours drinks.

76

OR SKIP THE SHIRT Not the ideal recommendation coming from a shirtmaker, unless said shirtmaker has been cutting a mean polo that is just as smart as a formal shirt. We’re so confident in its smartness that we put it under our twill business suit, for a look that’s as comfortable as it is elegant. The polo is an essential wardrobe staple for Spring and beyond.

GET A LEG UP

TOP IT OFF

Your video call looks may focus on the top half, but a proper pair of trousers never goes amiss. For a mix of businessready and easy-to-wear – in other words, a handy set of chinos. In stretch cotton and a plethora of colours, it’s just a case of picking the pair that work for you. A good pair of chinos is just as useful for the weekend as during the week, so swap out those jeans and suit trousers for the perfect in-between.

Our well-knitted merino jumper makes a nifty finish to an office look with outstanding dress-down credentials. Keep the fit as trim as your build can take to leave no doubts about your sartorial flair, even in a casual getup.

SOFTLY TAILORED, SHARPLY TURNED-OUT Smart casual can manifest itself in artfully softly-structured tailoring.

Choose a smart jacket with soft shoulders and a gentle lining, and you can throw it on over anything – shirts, polos, knits – to dress your look up in an instance.

WALK THE WALK Now to finish off the look! Choosing smart casual shoes can be tricky; but rest assured, there’s a middle ground between wholecuts and your ratty old trainers. A handsome pair of boots or Derbies hit the mark at the end of your chinos. Loafers can add a rakish touch… though you may want to wait for fairer weather if your favourite pair are suede.

77

g a d g e t s

UR

B A N I S TA

Po

80

w e r P l at

e

82

Gadgets & Accessories

ig

herDOS

82

E JBL

83

V

H

ir

gil

Va n D ij k

84

79

g a d g e t s

IN T R O DUCIN G URB A NIS T A

L O S A N G E L ES : S OLAR POWERED HEADPHONE S WITH V IRT U ALLY IN F INITE PLAYTI M E The world’s first active noise cancelling wireless headphones that use Powerfoyle™ technology to deliver a nonstop audio experience Urbanista, the Swedish lifestyle audio brand, announces the launch of Urbanista Los Angeles, the world’s first selfcharging, wireless active noise cancelling headphones, powered by Powerfoyle™ solar cell material. Using advanced green technology, Los Angeles converts all forms of light, outdoor and indoor, into energy to deliver virtually infinite playtime.

W e l c om e to t h e Da w n o f a N e w E r a Urbanista Los Angeles brings revolutionary innovation to the headphone market and is designed to live up to the brand’s tagline, ‘Designed for Life in Motion’. For the first time ever, you can experience virtually unlimited listening with solar charging.

Los Angeles never stops charging when exposed to light, both outdoors and indoors, providing a nonstop audio experience.

Priced at GBP 169 / SEK 1999 / EUR 199 / USD 199, Los Angeles boasts full compatibility with iOS, Android and Windows devices.

80

Just an hour spent outside on a sunny day with Urbanista Los Angeles generates three hours of playtime. Cloudy day? For every hour spent outside, you still get two hours of playtime. The headphones even charge in ambient light - wearing them indoors in a well-lit room or office will keep the headphones charging. When you’re not using Los Angeles, simply leave them by the window for an hour to add another full hour of playtime.*

To deliver this limitless audio experience, Urbanista has teamed up with Exeger, a Swedish innovation company, that has created a groundbreaking solar cell technology. Exeger’s material, Powerfoyle™, converts any form of light into clean energy and can be seamlessly integrated into any design.

For the first time, it is now powering headphones, enabling endless energy to music lovers around the world.

Urbanista CEO Anders Andreen comments: “Urbanista Los Angeles is everything we stand for as a brand, in a product. Bringing together innovation, sustainability and all the features you could wish for in a headphone, Urbanista Los Angeles is designed for someone who lives an on the go lifestyle. We are proud to partner with Exeger, and their cutting edge technology, to bring a world first to market.”

Exeger CEO Giovanni Fili says: “This is the start of a revolution in consumer electronics.

In close collaboration with Urbanista, we now launch the world’s first self-powered wireless headphone. I strongly believe that once users experience the freedom of endless energy, there’s no way we’re going back to plugging a USB charger into the wall. We are extremely excited about this product and confident that people around the world are going to love it.”

T a k e Compl e t e Co n t r ol o f y o u r Aud i o Experie nc e With Los Angeles, you are always in complete control of your audio experience. Just the press of a button activates advanced hybrid Active Noise Cancelling, instantly reducing unwanted background noise, or switches on Ambient Sound Mode so you can stay aware of important surrounding sounds.

Los Angeles’ wireless design gives you both freedom and control thanks to the on-ear detection feature that pauses the audio when the headphones are removed and restarts it when they are put back in place. Los Angeles is adjustable for an entirely custom fit. The smooth cushioned shells sit securely over the ear, allowing you to comfortably enjoy unlimited listening.

Inspired by the city in the heart of sunny California, Urbanista Los Angeles will be available in two exclusive colourways, including Midnight Black.

To be the first to know when the product will be available for pre-order, sign up at www.urbanista.com/losangeles Watch the full Los Angeles product video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLe8O8sNl8s

U r b a n i s ta

Los Angeles

K e y F e at u r e s

Vir tually infinite playtime | Always charging when exposed to light, both outdoors and indoors 50h batter y reser ve | Hybrid active noise cancelling | Ambient sound mode | On-ear detection | USB type-C charging | Bluetooth 5.0 Siri and Google Assistant | Compatible with iOS, Android and Windows

81

g a d g e t s

Power Plate - Pulse From the leader in whole body vibration for over 20 years, the Power Plate Pulse is a powerful, yet whisper quiet, portable handheld massager that helps relax and rejuvenate tight and sore muscles, release fascia and promote blood flow to help you prepare faster and recover quicker. also accelerating exercise warm up and recovery. - £249.95

HigherDOSE - Sauna Blanket The HigherDOSE sauna blanket is an athome and portable version of an infrared sauna. It uses infrared heat (which heats your body from the inside out, not the other way around), along with healing tourmaline, clay and charcoal which generate negative ions (it is the only sauna blanket out there that offers crystal healing properties).

It’s made of nontoxic materials and is extremely low EMF, so it’s not emitting radiation throughout your body while you’re relaxing and sweating. - £399

82

Charge 5 Totally waterproof and dustproof, the speaker packs 20 hours of famous JBL Signature Pro Sound in a super rugged package. Complete with a new standout logo design and 8 colourways, the JBL Charge 5 is here to make a statement.

£159.99, www.uk.jbl.com

With the Charge 5’s new and improved tech, you’ll enjoy the best sound around. The speaker blasts epic JBL audio and deep bass. JBL have upgraded the Charge5’s ‘Original Pro Sound’, utilizing a newly optimized long excursion driver, a new separate tweeter and dual JBL bass radiators that deliver an impressively rich and clear audio performance.

Reflect MINI TWS JBL Reflect MINI TWS, £129.99, www.uk.jbl.com

The JBL Reflect Mini TWS are a stylish option for truly wireless earbuds and filled with a variety of features. IPX7 waterproof rating means these earbuds will survive even the most gruelling of workouts and the active noise cancelling ensures you are never distracted. Smart ambient technology is also available to keep you in the loop with your surroundings. Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa can also be called upon at the touch of a button.

The earbuds feature 21 hours of playtime with 7 hours in the buds and 14 hours in the case.

83

g a d g e t s

Football Legend Virgil Van Dijk joins JBL as global brand ambassador Two giants have collided. Football icon Virgil van Dijk has joined forces with leading audio brand JBL as its latest global brand ambassador. The Premier League footballer and captain of the Dutch national team was awarded the UEFA European player of the year in 2019. Virgil has also seen huge success on the pitch with Liverpool, including winning the 2020 English Premier League, the 2019 continental treble of UEFA Champions League, the Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. A sense of ambition and absolute commitment to excellence makes JBL and Van Dijk a perfect match, with both set for a massive year in 2021.

While fans await the chance to see their favourite star work his magic once again on the pitch, Virgil is working harder than ever in the gym and on the training pitch as he continues to recover from injury. With the power of music and a little help from JBL’s powerful portable speakers, the legendary defender is getting ready to rule the game once again. Van Dijk will be one of the faces of an upcoming JBL campaign, showcasing the newest JBL True Wireless earbuds.

84

“

Using JBL’s incredible Boombox 2 whilst I work out always helps keeps me in the zone.

”

“Using JBL’s incredible Boombox 2 whilst I work out always helps keeps me in the zone.

This past year has been incredibly difficult and challenging for everyone, including for me personally. Music has helped me to get fit again, and I can’t wait to kick off our partnership as an official ambassador and see what the future holds for both of us,” said Van Dijk.

“Virgil van Dijk is one of the best defenders in the world and on top of that an inspiring and positive personality”, says Ralph Santana, Chief Marketing Officer at HARMAN. “In our ambassadors, we’re always looking for individuals who naturally connect with JBL’s audience and Virgil is really seen as such a hero. His dedication and passion for the sport is the kind of attitude JBL represents as a brand and tying our two personalities together will make for a brilliant collaboration.”

Virgil van Dijk joins an impressive roster of JBL ambassadors including football stars Lucas Hernandez and Jessie Lingard, basketball giant Giannis Antetokounmpo and music icon Bebe Rexha.

85

wa t c h e s

ube

j ewe l l e r y

l Fo rs e

y

G

re

&

88

m

fo

rd Lon d

90

o n

Ba

Watches & Jewelery An

gelus

94

87

wa t c h e s

&

T H E NE W G MT SPO RT T H E A RT OF TH E ES SENTI AL The GMT Sport emerges in a bold new character of titanium and blue. More ergonomic and contemporary than ever, this GMT Sport is the very first Greubel Forsey creation with a completely integrated metal bracelet. With a new bezel and new finishes, this limited edition is an exciting evolution that just 33 collectors will have the opportunity to discover first hand.

Greubel Forsey

A P L AY OF L IGHTA ND S H A DE Taking centre stage for the first time on the GMT Sport, the distinctive Greubel Forsey bezel now subtly relieved of the relief engraved key values, takes on a completely new profile. With hand-finished horizontal straight-graining on top and the handpolished contour and flanks taking on a soft yet striking new form, the bezel is beautifully refined, opening up the dial to attract even greater focus to the essential – the Greubel Forsey movement and hand-finishing, a characteristic of every timepiece.

This new finish highlights the unique profile of the GMT Sport’s bezel, an ellipse that gently curves at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock to hug the contours of the wrist – a passion for perfect ergonomics that reaffirms the contemporary, everyday style of this exclusive timepiece.

88

j ewe l l e r y

T HE FIR S T M E TA L B R AC E L E T IN T HE HIS TO RY O F GR E UB EL FO RS EY This ergonomic design is further pursued in the new bracelet of this GMT Sport – the first ever metal bracelet on a Greubel Forsey creation.

Entirely conceived in the Atelier and specifically for this timepiece, it is fully integrated into the case of the GMT Sport and profiled to seamlessly follow the elliptical shape of its case and bezel. Faithful to its tradition, Greubel Forsey has devoted particular attention to finishing with three distinct styles distributed over both the lateral and central links: straight graining, frosting and hand-polished bevelling.

For example, frosting was chosen to echo the finish of the lugs, underlining the aesthetic continuity between the case and bracelet. The latter, made of Grade 5 titanium, is lightweight, robust and very strong. It features a fine adjustment system, providing the valuable millimetres of play to allow the wearer to choose between a loose and casual or a snug, wrist-hugging fit.

A H IGH LY TE CH NI C A L MOVE ME NT With this new livery, more essential and refined than ever, Greubel Forsey offers a new means of expression to two of their signature creations. Their 3rd invention, the Tourbillon 24 Secondes is positioned between 12 o’clock and 2 o’clock. With its cage inclined at a 25° angle and completing a full rotation in 24 seconds, the Tourbillon 24 Secondes provides superior chronometric performance – in addition to the truly unique visual effect.

A R E N E WE D S PI R IT

Then, the terrestrial globe placed between 7 o’clock and 9 o’clock. More than any other, it embodies the three-dimensional time display championed by Greubel Forsey.

Thanks to this invention which executes a complete rotation in 24 hours, universal time can be read easily, quickly and intuitively.

As for the movement, this new GMT Sport is the first in a unified colour: the mainplate, bridges, globe, second time zone dial and 24-second indicator ring of the Tourbillon 24 Secondes at 1 o’clock are all in the same blue finish.

The central suspended arched bridge as well as the tourbillon bridge are openworked to highlight the three dimensional movement architecture of its intense blue finish.

The choice on the one hand of a deep, matte blue and on the other, the polished components in titanium (bridges, globe) or steel (hands, power reserve) accentuate the strong contrasts within the movement itself and ensure perfect legibility. Thanks to its 42mm case diameter (45mm on the bezel), the expression of the movement’s technicality is perfectly harmonious with the intuitive central hours and minutes display, second time zone at 10 o’clock, power reserve at 3 o’clock and rotating terrestrial globe at 8 o’clock.

Seen from above the North Pole, a ring with 24-hour markings allows the local time to be read for all longitudes while also acting as a day/night indication. On the caseback side, a disc displaying city names surrounded by 2 rings allows the wearer to read UTC Universal and Summer Time for 24 cities in 24 major time zones. It also distinguishes those time zones applying summer time (on a light background) from those who don’t (on a dark background).

The new GMT Sport – a bold aesthetic choice from the Atelier, signed Greubel Forsey.

89

wa t c h e s

&

B a m f o r d

j ewe l l e r y

L o n d o n

launches the next edition in the

Popeye GMT range of watches

P

opeye inspires us all to work hard and be persistent, standing up for what’s right and staying strong to the finish… with the help of a hefty amount of spinach.

Following the success and sell out of the 90th Anniversary limited edition Popeye GMT, Bamford London introduces the next edition in their Popeye GMT range of watches.

Proudly featured on the dial of the Bamford London dual time GMT, the Popeye character strikes one of his classic poses with his strong arms moving around the dial as the hour and minute hands. The blue and black colours in his outfit are a continued theme throughout the design including the packaging. This unique timepiece is housed in a can, referencing the cans of spinach Popeye famously devours. Paired with a black cordura strap with black stitching, the design pops off the wrist.

90

“

I am a life-long fan of Popeye.

”

This Popeye GMT has all the features of the original Bamford London GMT with a Swiss Made automatic Sellita SW330-2 movement and 24-hour GMT hand function, allowing users to set a home time zone when travelling.

This design provides a vibrant splash of cartoon colour on the dial, contrasted against a 316L grade matte black case measuring 40mm in diameter and 11.2mm in thickness.

George Bamford, founder of Bamford London says, “I am a life-long fan of Popeye. I was blown away by the 90th anniversary celebrations and the success of the last edition.

It always makes me smile when creating a Popeye GMT as Popeye is all about adventure. The Bamford London dual time GMT is inspired by travel and adventure with its 24-hour GMT hand allowing users to view a separate time zone wherever they are.”

This 100-piece limited edition Popeye GMT is available directly from Bamford London and selected global stockists.

The Bamford London GMT Popeye watch has an RRP of £1,500 (including VAT).

T e c h n i c a l I n f o r m at i o n: • Type - Automatic GMT watch with internal rotating bezel • Movement - Sellita SW330 2, 25 Jewels, 28,800 Vph, 42 hour power reserve • Function - Self winding mechanism with ball bearing, 3 o’clock date position with quick date setting, second time zone by central hand • Case Material - 316L grade stainless steel with matte black finish, Sapphire Crystal glass with antiglare • Case diameter - 40mm • Case thickness- 11.2mm • Caseback material- Stainless Steel with matte black finish • Water Resistance- 100m / 10 ATM • Lug Width- 20mm

91

wa t c h e s

Black Titanium

&

j ewe l l e r y

U30

Offered up on the altar of the grande complication, the U30 is a piece like no other. Ultra-light and ultra-sporty, the incredible Angelus design unites a variety of prestigious complications: a tourbillon, flyback and split-second chronograph. The 47mm black DLC titanium case with openworked edges houses one of the most complex automatic skeletonized movements in the world. In the U30, nothing has been sacrificed in the expression of Angelus’ extreme watchmaking approach.

The U30 is a beast in the etymological sense. If it is held up as an examplar, it is because it is one-of-a-kind – pointed out to stress its exceptional complexity. The U30 is a talking point, because this skeletonized, automatic tourbillon, flyback and split-second chronograph with power reserve indicator is quite simply unique. Angelus has not shied away from any technical challenges. 100% independently manufactured, the result is a watch that defies categorisation.

Distinctive The U30 is also a beast in a figurative sense.

It is a mythical creature, a mean machine: an exceptional piece both in performance and design. The spacious skeletonized structure encompasses the case, movement and hands.

The case, 47mm in diameter and 15mm thick, is made of black DLC titanium. The lugs and case middle are marked in the centre with a recess that extends the skeletizing of the movement. The openworked movement has 350 components in total, is treated with black DLC and accentuated in grey. The design is an expression of Angelus’ own brand of hyper-technicality; it is the supreme sportiness of an ultra-light split-second chronograph. One-of-a-kind mean machine.

Functional The split-second function allows the central chronograph second hand to be split in two, allowing two events starting together to be timed.

At any moment, the same pusher can bring the two hands back together to the same point. A flyback also allows you to reset and restart timing with a single press, without having to stop and reset the hands. This exceptional feature does not compromise the lines of the U30: the split-second pusher is integrated into the crown at three o’clock, barely protruding from the case. Similarly, the chronograph’s start and reset pushers are very discreet, integrated into the overall line of the U30’s black titanium case middle. The pushers have a short trajectory, requiring up-front design work and adjustment to a degree rarely achieved in watchmaking.

Uncompromising It is hard to imagine a complication as sophisticated as the split-second function. The movements capable of achieving this complication can be counted on the fingers of two hands – and for the skeletonized version, far fewer. Angelus has built its modern identity on openworked pieces integrated into spacious structures that bring the surface area down to the absolute minimum. Here, the A-150 calibre has depth. The hand fitting, bridges, cog and column wheels, patina and rotor create a rich texture of levels for the eye to get lost in.

94

Unique Chronograph calibres are rarely integrated. They are often made up of a basic calibre and an additional functional module. But Angelus does not subscribe to this approach, instead developing its calibres as a unified system. Split-second chronographs are often manual. The U30 prefers a sportier, active, technical approach for this extremely rare complication, opting instead for self-winding by a large rotor. Split-second chronographs are hardly ever matched with a flyback. Such a combination is so complex that the watchmaking community is often unaware that it is even possible. The A-150 calibre is capable of such a feat.

Dual Few chronographs also have a power reserve indicator. The traditional display layout leaves little room for an additional gauge. Angelus has placed the indicator at half past seven on the dial, using a subtle asymmetric layout. Tourbillon chronographs are anomalies, and tourbillon rattrapantes are even more unique. But for Angelus, integrating a rotary regulating organ into the dense and intense A-150 calibre has posed no problem. In fact, combining chronometer and chronograph, measuring precision times and short times is a logical choice for the U30.

Refined When it comes to the U30’s design, structure, decoration, functionality and complications, all of these choices are based on an almost unparalleled level of expertise and independence. The A-150 calibre has been entirely developed, machined, decorated, assembled, adjusted and fitted on the Angelus manufacturing site in La Chaux-de-Fonds. This exclusive movement has been designed with exceptional mechanical and graphic detail in mind. The structure and functions form a coherent whole, highlighting the complications and design of their components. In turn, these high-precision micromechanical watchmaking parts have been integrated into a watch with the powerful design of a thoroughbred designated as an exemplar.

95

PHONE STAND & GRIP DESIGNED WITH YOU IN MIND

A slim & functional phone stand and grip, which clicks into place for everyday use. CLCKR Stands By You.

CLCKR.COM

p r o p e r t y

W

em

b l e y Pa

rk

100

99

p r o p e r t y

Stunning new penthouses provide luxury living in an iconic setting 12 spacious homes for rent

Huge kitchens, built-in entertainment

Flagship apartments provide

launched at Quintain Living’s Canada Gardens in Wembley Park

centres, balconies & wine fridges set to woo residents

stunning views from the City of London to the Chilterns

t

he pandemic has made many people reconsider their living arrangements, with more space being top of the agenda for many. However, finding a spacious, stylish home with access to a large, private balcony and over an acre of landscaped gardens isn’t always the easiest task for renters in the capital – unless they discover Wembley Park.

Quintain Living is the award-winning management company overseeing rental of more than 3,255 apartments in Wembley Park of varying sizes and designs.

Their flagship development Canada Gardens, comprises seven buildings surrounding an acre of private resident gardens. It is at this development that the company has launched 12 stunning penthouses, offering renters luxury living with outstanding views of the City, the Chilterns and the National Stadium’s iconic arch.

100

Each of the three-bedroom penthouses comes with its own spacious balcony, while residents also have access to Canada Gardens’ enormous roof terrace and acre of private gardens. The homes range in size from 1,076 to 1,270 sq ft, providing residents with plenty of space to spread out and make themselves at home, with enough room for entertaining.

Each penthouse has a unique design and thoughtfully considered features including walk-in wardrobes, air conditioning, built-in entertainment centres and wine fridges.

The kitchen and living areas have been designed to be the heart of the home. Massive, U-shaped kitchens are fitted with luxury appliances, such as state of the art Samsung smart fridges. Some of the penthouses have divider walls between the kitchen and living room, while others are more open plan, thus catering to a range of tastes.

101

p r o p e r t y

Canada Gardens penthouses are offered unfurnished or furnished, allowing residents enough freedom to put their own stamp on these stunning homes. The show apartments demonstrate the full potential of these homes, having been co-designed with John Lewis to provide the perfect blend of style and comfort. All are pet-friendly, with doggy day care and walking services available as required.

We wanted to give each penthouse its own character, so no two designs are the same.

The homes are wonderfully luxurious and are ideal for renters who are looking for a spacious residence that really delivers something special.

”

Danielle Bayless, Chief Operating Officer, Quintain Living

102

“

We’ve shaped the on-site amenities at Canada Gardens to make for an easy lifestyle at every turn. From a schedule of 12 weekly virtual events to home-working areas with a twist, we’ve kept pace with the pandemic and designed every element of our service with residents at its core.

”

Danielle Bayless, Chief Operating Officer, Quintain Living

Residents of the penthouses will have access to a wealth of communal facilities at Canada Gardens.

There’s a library, super-lobby and concierge services, for those with young families there’s a playpark with a pirate ship, a beautiful crèche available for private hire, barbecues and outdoor kitchens in the podium gardens, outdoor dining areas, a serviced clubhouse… everything residents could wish for, and all just a 12-minute journey from central London.

For those who work from home, as so many of us now do, designer work-from-home sheds in the gardens and shared social spaces provide the perfect setting for creative inspiration.

For more information on Quintain Living or to book a viewing, visit www.quintainliving.com, @quintainliving on Instagram or call 020 3151 1927.

103

t r ave l

Jo

sé

Pizarr

c

108

112

c

ht

Eas

t pa k

120

ow n e r

sh

114

Ba

o

116

Ya

eur Mont

an

Cou

ay

ENCE

ip

m

Bl

r

ARI

hiazul

122

107

t r ave l

There’s Something for Everyone in

C o u r maye ur M on t B l a n c Experiences for Non-Skiers to Enjoy in the Italian Alps

Courmayeur Mont Blanc, situated on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, is a traditional yet sophisticated resort surrounded by spectacular scenery and full of history and charm. Renowned for its warm Italian welcome and fabulous winter sports scene, the resort is ideal for families, friends, skiers, and non-skiers looking to spend time outside in the fresh mountain air.

With Covid-19 still providing plenty of uncertainty as to whether the ski slopes will open this season, Courmayeur Mont Blanc offers the ultimate winter break for those looking to reconnect and get moving with an abundance of non-ski related activities.

Snowshoeing Courmayeur Mont Blanc offers a breadth of peaceful snowshoe walks, tailored to suit any ability and perfect for those looking to reconnect with nature – without the need for skis. Gentle scenic walks in Val Veny and Val Ferret provide beautiful snow-clad summit views. High altitude snowshoeing to the Toula glacier, or up the Mont Blanc, is also available with the help of an expert alpine guide pointing out the local wildlife on the way. Those looking for a bit more of an adventure can enjoy walking tours of the local picturesque villages or even try out a nocturnal snowshoeing experience.

Fat Biking Non-skiers still looking for an alpine adrenaline high can head cross country and enjoy the latest snow trend: fat biking.

Described as ‘waterskiing on a mountain bike’, these brave cyclists will pedal through the flat alpine valley of Val Ferret and take in spectacular views of the Mont Blanc or Grandes Jorasses with a pair of XXL wheels. Snow biking is also on offer so those missing the ski slopes can trade in their tyres and both guided experiences are available at night.

108

For Families A veritable playground for families, Courmayeur Mont Blanc provides plenty of child-friendly activities for those who didn’t want to hit the slopes in the first place.

Families can check out the two Kids Winter Parks on offer both situated a few minutes from the centre of the resort - perfect for little ones taking their first steps on the snow, kids can try out bob sledging or snow tubing. Alternatively, children can burn off some steam and test out ice climbing, ice skating, or visit the local fun parks which include train rides and educational farms.

Skyway Monte Bianco Experience A state-of-the-art cableway connecting the Italian Alps to the French, the Skyway Monte Bianco Experience transports visitors 3,466 metres above sea level. Boasting four spherical cabins, the crystal-clear spaceships hang in the air gently rotating to offer 360° panoramic views of the peaks and the summits of Valle d’Aosta, Cervino, Gran Paradiso, Monte Ros and Combin. Bringing man and mountain closer than ever before – without any skis required – the newest Punta Helbronner station, set at 3,400 metres, can drop beneath -40°C. Skyway boasts a wide variety of experiences for everyone to enjoy including a historical museum, a sun terrace, mountain delicacies, wine tasting in the Cave Mont Blanc and a traditional bookshop. Skyway also plays host to exceptional events including ‘New Moon’ parties (Covid-permitting) and cinema screenings at the auditorium with 150 seats.

Discover Italy at its peak in Courmayeur Mont Blanc: unique combination of fine food, culture, adventurous sporting activities, sophisticated relaxation and prime shopping in an incomparable Mont Blanc setting.

Ice Climbing The winter version of rock climbing: Courmayeur Mont Blanc boasts incredible ice waterfalls designed to frighten even the true adventure seeker. With majestic, sky-high, and vertical ice barriers available, guides will train their clients into an iceclimbing pro - comfortable with ice axes and traction cleats alike – and ready to safely enjoy this natural adult playground in all its beauty.

For more information visit: www.courmayeurmontblanc.it/en call +39 0165 841612 or email info@courmayeurblanc.it.

109

t r ave l

ARIENCE 60.92 M ABE KI N G & R AS M U S S E N

YACHT SPECIFICATION Length 60.92m Built 2012 Builder Abeking & Rasmussen Tonnage 1,632gt (comparable to a 70-75m yacht) Guests 12 in 7 cabins Cabin Configuration 5 Doubles, 2 Twins Crew 17 Cruising Speed 13 knots Max Speed 16 knots Fuel Consumption 450 l/h @ 12 knots 575 l/h @ 14 knots

WATER SPORTS & RECREATION 1 x Nouvarania Chase 27 450hp inboard diesel 1 x Nouvarania Chase 23 350hp inboard diesel 1 x Seabob Paddle boards Kayaks Snorkelling equipment Various inflatables and towable toys available Jetskis to be purchased, along with an update on all of the towables and inflatables, NEW for 2019

112

Photography by Stuart Pearce

F E AT U R E S Owner’s Suite on the Upper Deck with King size, forward facing bed, large sky light above and 180-degree panoramic view, vanity desk, sofa, refrigerator. His & Hers bathrooms, both with jacuzzi and shower accessed via walk through closet on either side. 1 Double cabin with king and shower en-suite accessed from the Owner’s lobby (7th cabin) where the Owner’s office is located. She also has a private Upper deck forward with jacuzzi, sun pads and forwardfacing settee. Five guest cabins located on the main deck.

• One VIP cabin with king, with en-suite jacuzzi bath and shower, walk-in closet and dressing area • Two double cabins with King, one with en-suite jacuzzi bath and shower, the other with oversized rain shower • Two twin cabins with oversized rain shower

Upper deck aft has relaxing lounge area

Spa with massage table, stone

with large sofas and games table

warmer, towel warmer and equipment for pedicure/ manicure,

Main deck has welcoming lounge and bar and formal dining

hair and beauty treatments (services arranged from ashore)

Jacuzzi bar – again with opening deck for an open air feel Cinema on lower deck Gym with a drop-down deck for an open air workout. Fully equipped with Technogym, weight unit, treadmill, cardio

Central elevator servicing all decks

wave elliptical machine, free weights, yoga equipment

and a dayhead on each deck

113

t r ave l

Yacht ownership is considered by many to be the absolute pinnacle, a true expression yourself and of your successes. Unlike a house where you are limited by local council regulations, disagreeable neighbours and a myriad of other potential hurdles, yachts are largely uninhibited in terms of design and the only real limitation (other than physics!) is your own creativity. It has been said that yachts are the 21st century’s palaces and I am in total agreement.

So, the question is, what is the best way to go about buying a yacht?

Buying a yacht can be a bit of a minefield and to hastily go into it without firm knowledge and understanding of the market can be a regrettable move. The market is ever evolving with new innovative yachts being launched every year and it can be hard to keep on top of this.

The solution is to build a relationship with a reliable independent yacht broker who can sift through the market and find the best solution for your specific needs.

The requirements of a yacht owner will change over their lifetime. If you are a young bachelor, the yacht you have will likely be very different to the one you progress to in your later years when you have your children and grandchildren onboard. This is worth keeping in mind… the cost of owning a yacht isn’t the purchase price. It is the difference between what you buy it for minus what you sell it for plus the running costs. A ‘good deal’ on buying a yacht might in reality turnout not to be the case when it comes to selling it.

I have seen this all too often and it a very avoidable trap if you are armed with the right information.

Unless you have good experience of yachts prior, without question I would never suggest buying a yacht without chartering at least a couple first; there is so much out there in terms of size, style and type it is really very hard to know what you want until you have tried a few different options.

114

By way of an example, a client of mine sold his business when he was 29 years old. When we first starting the discussion, all he said was that he knew he wanted a yacht. Beyond that he wasn’t really sure what he was after as his experience of yachting was fairly limited. We started off with chartering a 55m explorer style yacht built by the prestigious German yard Lurssen as it looked like the sort of yacht he had envisaged he might be after. He subsequently chartered 14 different yachts and has decided the best solution for him and his wife is to build a 47m sailing yacht. Something he hadn’t even remotely considered when we first met!

Cecil Wright & Partners www.cecilwright.com

Charter yachts are available all over the world and come in all forms – we have access to a global fleet of almost 2000 vessels which range in price from EUR 20,000 per week up to EUR 4 million per week! If you want to go exploring in the Galapagos you can charter a yacht with a submarine, if you want go

heliskiing in the Arctic we can provide ice breaking yachts with helicopters – you name it, we can just about do it!

Away from the more extreme end there is of course a phenomenal array of options on the charter market for use in the more familiar waters of the South of France, the Balearic Islands in Spain, the Aegean Sea in Greece and of course the Caribbean. For these typically you want to angle for yachts with a large amount of outside deck space. A classic example of this is a 36m yacht called ZULU which charters from EUR 105,000 per week. She has been set up for partying with several large exterior decks and a ton of amazing water toys. The owner has just spent over EUR 250,000 on a new sound system which includes a full link up for a professional DJ! Yachting’s sole function is to make you have the most fun you can possibly have… and if you are correctly advised you will have some of the best experiences of your life!

115

t r ave l

José

Pizarro We know you are a big collector of art. Who is your favourite artist, why and who else do you collect?

I

’ve been collecting art for many years. My love for Art probably became serious with the opening of The White Cube in Bermondsey Street. The gallery opened a few months after I opened my first Tapas bar - Josê, in 2011. My partner and I share an appreciation of art that has led to some wonderful relationships with fabulous artists that we now count amongst our greatest friends.

The art world is not at all unlike the food world – there are central creative characters, and then a whole industry built around them and their work.

If I were pushed to mention a favourite artist it would have to be Tracey Emin. She’s a brilliant creative genius with the power to stir emotions through her work, and she’s a great woman. I am also very blessed to know wonderful people like Harland Miller, Gilbert & George, Angela de la Cruz, Norman Ackroyd, Peter Layton, Eddie Peake. It’s always such a pleasure to share at the table with immensely creative souls, and we’ve had some wonderful times together.

116

The art we are most drawn to seems to be work that demands an emotional response, and it captures and expresses things that somehow goes beyond the limitation of language. When I look at the work we have, I remember exactly why we have them, what the feelings were at the time, why there was a connection with it, and increasingly, how things have changed. Great art seems to me to be timeless – it continues to communicate something regardless of time and place.

I think that art, and collecting art, doesn’t need to only be about great artists already at the top of their game. We try to support local and up-andcoming artists too. For example, our friend Peter Layton has a local handmade Crystal furnace in Bermondsey and he is encouraging some amazing work from young glass blowers who are keeping this incredible craft alive. I have some of these pieces in my restaurant and at home.

For my business personally, I have always been focussed on delivering the best food, wine and experiences possible, but I want us to do more. We need to work on re-establishing our place amongst the best for Spanish food, wine, service and culture in the UK. I am working on some plans for boutique events, trips and holidays but this is a work in progress and more will be revealed soon. I am celebrating 50 years this year and (at some point when we can) will be having a huge party!

For me, the most important thing about collecting or buying a piece of art, is just buy what you like. Go with your gut.

117

t r ave l

How difficult has the pandemic been for you and how have you changed as a result?

It has been a difficult time for everyone, and very challenging. Our restaurant family is very close and I have done my best to support everyone that I could, along with the helpful government assistance.

We’ve had to get really creative and innovative.

Early in April 2020 we came up with the idea of doing “finish-at-home” food for people to buy online and have delivered directly to them at home. We also made some short videos with instructions on what to do to warm things up or finish the cooking process. Peter and me had a laugh doing these, and people seemed to love it.

We have not only been involved with food boxes for every occasion but we have also developed new brands to ensure we widen our appeal in the future.

For example, to go along with my amazing JP Cava (you have to try it!), my red and white wine, we now have an excellent José Pizarro Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a delicious sherry vinegar, and an incredible very old and rare sherry. We have even more plans to launch new flavours and new Spanish inspired products with exciting things coming up in the coming months.

José Pizarro outside José Tapas Bar

I think the Pandemic has helped me recognise that things are precarious and can change so quickly, so we can’t take things for granted. It has made me more appreciative of life and my opportunities.

It has made me even more conscious of our local family and how important it is for us all to help each other.

We cooked thousands of meals for local people in Bermondsey during the lock-downs, especially for vulnerable people. We worked closely with our local suppliers to support them during the challenging times, and also the people who live in the areas where we have restaurants.

More personally, our plans for a wedding (Peter now prefers a civil partnership) had to be cancelled three times since 2020 but I guess we are just like thousands of other couples who have had to postpone their plans. Fingers crossed for a big event in 2022, possibly in Spain!

One of the most amazing things we have done is to bring to the family two gorgeous miniature schnauzers, Conchi and Pie, who are just the best. I know everyone says that … but our girls, really are the best.

118

What will you do differently after July 19?

Professionally, I hope to still be connected with some of the best food and drink brands in the world.

I am proud to represent Cinco Jotas, Nordes Gin, Estrella, Rueda Wines, and P&O Cruises.

Personally, I want to spend more time with family. They have always been important to me but sometimes work and commitments to the business has meant that I’ve not been able to spend the time with them as I would have liked to. My mum, who is now 87, has always been a great inspiration to me. So, I need to see more of her to keep up my positivity and my energy.

José and Peter with Conchi and Pie, taken by friend and artist Tracey Emin

I also want to do more travelling with Peter in the future. I have been to every region of Spain over the years, especially working on my cook books and recipe creations, but I want to see more of the world to take inspiration from other cultures, experiences and chef collaborations.

Recently, I saw a sign that made me laugh: “Carpe fucking Diem”. It’s true that we do have seize the *** moment and it can help a lot if we try to be thankful for at least having good health, and appreciating life every day that we have it.

In the past, silly things would get under my skin but I’m less reactive now, probably because I’m a bit older! I think it’s helpful to try to think positively but perhaps most importantly, to look after and nurture our network of friends and family for good mental health. A good basic philosophy, as Peter always says is: “Be kind”.

How do you see the UK shaping up for 2022?

I think the UK and her people are incredibly strong and resilient. British people have survived far worse throughout history, and came out stronger. I have no doubt the UK will re-establish herself, and be a strong leader in the World.

José Pizarro in the kitchen of Pizarro Restaurant

119

t r ave l

Our cabin-size travel trolley is reimagined as a squared-off shape with two functional front pockets.

Load up the double-deck compartments of this monochrome design for flying visits and weekends away.

In our Sunday Grey colourway Two compartments with two zip-fastening front pockets and a built-in organiser Height: 51cm, Width: 32.5cm, Depth: 25cm Crafted from 60% nylon and 40% polyester Telescopic handle, smooth-wheeling system, and TSA three-digit code lock Cabin-size for most airlines Padded laptop sleeve for most 15-inch devices No animal products are used to make this 100% vegan product Water resistant

120

121

t r ave l

C a na ry I s la nd s re s ort

Ba h iazu l

l

et’s be true to ourselves. After 15 months of “responsible lockdown” or “project fear” depending on your prejudices, we are all apprehensive about overseas travel. For many, staycations with their hidden bear traps of cold, wet, windy days by the seaside, are not attractive.

122

Which is where the charms of Canary Islands resort Bahiazul reveal themselves.

A charming 5* villas-only haven where you can inter-react with other guests as much or as little as you wish. Every villa has its own pool and fully-fitted kitchen.

There is a club, where guests can socially distance, and a restaurant, but equally there are nearby supermarkets where you can buy your own produce to be totally self-sufficient. Add guaranteed good weather, a wide range of excursions - including dune buggies, coastal horse riding and sailing and Bahiazul becomes a persuasive holiday proposition for 2021.

The resort is situated on Fuerteventura, the second largest island in the Canaries. With 3,000 hours of sunshine each year and temperate breezes ensuring the summers are not overly hot, Fuerteventura is a genuine year around resort with, in normal times anyway, regular flights from most areas of the UK. The same breezes make the island a watersports paradise with outstanding surfing and both kite and windsurfing.

123

t r ave l The resort claims to offer an insight into “the real Fuerteventura” with a series of specialist excursions available. “Surf in the European Hawai,” “ Standup Paddle”and “Kitesurfing” are self explanatory but the opportunity to go fishing around small nearby island Los Lobos includes tuition and advice on what is or is not safe to eat.

“Fanny’s Horses” explores a remote part of the island with appropriate freedom depending on the guest’s abilities and includes a sunset mountain experience.

Driving a quad bike or buggy to the interior of the island takes riders far away from the beaten track top see parts of the island few visitors go to.

The stand out excursion has to be a sailing voyage to nearby Lanzarotte on board a private catamaran. Guests can relax on deck and enjoy the sun, feed the plentiful surrounding fish by hand or stop and take a dip, kayak or paddle surf. After arriving in Lanzarote there will have time to walk on the beaches, collect shells, have a drink at one of the restaurants or beach bars…

During the cruise, you will also have the opportunity to visit the mysterious Isla de Lobos, an enclave just two kilometres from Fuerteventura and a part of the Dunas de Corralejo Natural Park and whose former lighthouse keeper is a celebrity on the island with a local school and a street named after him. Guests wanting to know his entire story have to make a stop at the cafe/restaurant on the islet, a cosy place to listen to stories of the lighthouse keeper while enjoying the famous Canary Islands’ honey rum.

124

www.bahiazul.com

Bahiazul (or blue bay) villas all have three bedrooms and a private pool. All villas have everything needed for guests to be completely self-sufficient while The Bikini Club - as the name suggests - is a relaxed terrace serving food during the day and drinks until midnight.

Restaurant Bahiazul is open for breakfast and dinner featuring spectacular buffets which change each evening throughout the week.

Situated near to the Eastern coast of the island, Bahiazul is 40 minutes by car from the airport and a short drive from magnificent beaches.

Footballers Life readers will be greeted with a free bottle of There are three levels of accommodation with prices starting from €167 per night. Every villa can house six people. The luxurious Royal Villas (from €238 per night) feature a hot tub, an outdoor canopy bed, tropical garden and the pool is heated.

Cava on arrival, the first night dinner will be for free, and there is one free entry for two people to the spa during the stay.

Quote (Footballers Life) when booking.

125

h e a l t h

diac arre

s t

c

ar

128

Be

llecell

130

E s pa

132

127

T

h e a l t h

HE shocking collapse of Christian Eriksen during Euro 2020 has brought into sharp focus the need for greater understanding of what to do if an emergency strikes.

Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch, which though rare are more common at periods of intense exercise, and his life was only saved by the implementation of quick CPR and the use of a defibrillator.

The collapse of Fabrice Muamba in a Premier League match, and tragic death of MarcVivien Foe, highlight that sudden cardiac arrest can strike at any time – and the more people who know what to do, the better.

It can literally save lives.

FIFA have produced a detailed guide to the issue, which should be followed by players and clubs at any level.

Signs of sudden cardiac arrest Non-contact collapse

What causes sudden cardiac death?

The causes of sudden cardiac arrest range from a variety of inborn heart muscle diseases or anomalies to viral infections of the upper respiratory tract, such as the flu, that inflame the heart muscle for about three to five days in combination with strenuous exercise during this period.

Medications, drugs and stimulants may also carry considerable risk of SCA when exercising. Also possible, but very uncommon, is sudden cardiac arrest caused by an object such as the ball hitting the central chest area at a particularly vulnerable time of the heart cycle.

128

Any player who collapses without having contact with another player, the ball or an obstacle should be regarded as being in SCA until proven otherwise. This collapse may be recognised by players on the field, the referee, team members located on the touchline or members of the touchline medical team who should be in attendance at all matches.

What is sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)?

Unconsciousness and unresponsiveness

Driven by the tragic death of the professional football player Marc Vivien Foé, who suffered an SCA on the pitch during the FIFA Confederations Cup 2003, FIFA implemented a number of initiatives to help prevent and raise awareness about SCA in football players. In 2006, FIFA standardised the pre-competition medical assessment (PCMA) to include the detection of cardiovascular anomalies. FIFA also provides SCA response training for referees, sport scientists, players and FIFA staff, and includes it in FIFA tournament medical workshops. In 2016, FIFA launched the free online FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine to help clinicians learn, engage, research and prevent. Two of the modules are dedicated to SCA and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

The player does not respond to any physical or verbal stimuli at all.

Abnormal or absent breathing Players in SCA will continue to exhibit normal, rapid breathing for 90 seconds, after which their breathing becomes abnormal with gaspingtype breathing, finally breathing ceases completely (apnoea). Normal breathing must not be misinterpreted; the player may still be in SCA. Brief seizure-like activity or myoclonic movements These slow, involuntary movements must not be mistaken for or treated initially as a seizure, as this will lead to delayed diagnosis and resuscitation.

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a sudden failure of the heart to pump blood around the body when it unexpectedly stops beating. SCA usually strikes without warning at anytime, anywhere, and can affect anyone, even if they appear healthy.

Emergency steps to treat SCA

Medical assessments of all players

If any player or referee collapses on the pitch even though there has been no contact with another person, the ball or an obstacle, go to him or her immediately.

Time is critical in this situation

and regular medical checks

Establish whether the player is unresponsive Turn the player immediately onto his or her back, always handling the neck with care Call for help using the local emergency number and request immediate assistance if there is no one else present that can help treat the player There should always be an automated external defibrillator (AED) available at the training site and during matches.

If, however, there is not an AED in the immediate vicinity, urgently request one While someone is fetching the AED (if one is nearby) or contacting the ambulance services, begin hands-only chest compression (CPR) immediately.

Do not stop chest compressions unless it is absolutely necessary, because this is what is keeping the patient alive Once the AED is delivered, switch on the machine and follow all the verbal instructions given by the voice on the machine.

Remember to call the emergency medical services (EMS) as quickly as possible The EMS will provide advanced cardiac life support treatment.

How to help prevent SCA Make a regular medical assessment of all players annually Have a medical action plan for each match or training session that all first-aid and healthcare providers are aware of Know how to resuscitate a player suffering an SCA on the pitch Have an AED nearby, know where it is Take a class in CPR Education and training – it is recommended that all players, officials, referees and associated staff at football stadiums and training grounds receive basic training in CPR and AED use Medical staff should closely monitor players’ health when they are experiencing a virus or infection and take appropriate measures.

What is a medical action plan?

the recognition of SCA;

Every school, club and organisation that is involved in football should be prepared to respond to a collapsed player who may have a cardiac emergency. A written emergency medical plan for SCA with steps that are easy to follow should be available in order to ensure an efficient and structured response. The medical action plan should be rehearsed at least once a year. Essential elements of the emergency medical plan include regular and frequent training of team members and officials and should involve:

how to respond on the pitch; CPR and AED use (resuscitation); how to summon nearby help and the emergency medical services (EMS); how remove and transfer the collapsed player safely and effectively from the pitch. an on-site ambulance staffed with trained crew and comprehensive medical equipment must be on hand at the football stadium for all matches.

In 2006, FIFA introduced a mandatory FIFA pre-competition medical assessment (PCMA), including an electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram, if needed, with the aim of detecting serious genetic and acquired abnormal cardiac conditions.

The PCMA medical examination involves obtaining a footballer’s personal and family medical history as well as conducting a physical medical examination and an ECG. A number of potentially serious heart abnormalities might not be detected during the PCMA. Therefore, it should be mandatory for all training and competition matches to have personnel available who are adequately trained to deal with SCA, can perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and know how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Good to know Quick action saves lives and survival rates could double or triple if more people take action and know what to do.

Sudden cardiac arrest has claimed one footballer’s life every month for the past ten years.

Defibrillation within 120 seconds of a player suffering SCA can increase their chance of survival to 100 %.

THE CPR11 app is a free download and provides clear and precise instructions about how to give CPR, use an AED and transport the player. It is available in a number of languages.

For more information go to the sudden cardiac arrest module on our FIFA Diploma in Medicine website or contact your local member association or health centre.

129

h e a l t h

THE NEW GENETIC SKINCARE A complete anti -ageing solution formulated to address and prevent signs of ageing based on your genetic make -up.

Leading London clinic and home of molecular wellness, BelleCell, introduces its new Genetic Skincare, allowing clients to continue their hyper -personalised plans in the comfort of their own homes.

An easy at -home genetic testing method is used to examine the most relevant genetic factors related to the cellular ageing of the skin. The test results are then used to create a comprehensive and personalised skincare & supplements program, combats and prevents the signs of ageing such as reduced elasticity, fine lines & wrinkles, loss of firmness, pigmentation issues and dryness.

Frequently occurring errors in our DNA can cause an acceleration of ageing factors, and this unique genetic analysis report reveals your biological skin age as well as identifying your skins ability to produce collagen and breakdown old collagen; protect against UV damage, oxidative stress and the effects of glycation; preserve hyaluronic acid, neutralise ageing free radicals, activate CoQ10 as well as highlighting your body ’s selenium requirements (a potent antioxidant for skin health) and inflammatory responses.

These products are formulated based on the weaknesses that appear in your genetic profile and which genes are not functioning optimally. Based on these findings, BelleCell will formulate supplements & skincare to support the function of specific genes to support optimal cell formation.

The supplements & skincare are created with a unique blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals in varying amounts which are tailored based on your individual test results. This custom tailoring is what makes the process bespoke and completely unique to your needs.

130

Results can be seen in just

4 - 6 weeks and will continue to improve with the body ’s natural regeneration processes as the products support optimal cell formation. Key ingredients include: A LPHA LIPOIC ACID An antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage in the body, lowers blood sugar levels, reduces inflammation and slows skin ageing.

HYDROLYZED C OLLAGEN Enhances the appearance of dry or damaged skin by reducing flakiness and restoring suppleness.

F OLIC ACID A powerful antioxidant that works to reduce levels of oxidative stress in the skin as well as neutralizing harmful free radicals.

LUTEIN

C OENZYME Q 10

Increases hydration, elasticity and sun damage protection.

Reduces oxidative damage caused by UV rays and decrease the depth of wrinkles.

VI TAMIN E

HYA LURONIC ACID Enhances skin hydration, improves firmness and elasticity, and reduces wrinkles, redness and inflammation.

VI TAM IN C The most important antioxidant in the body involved in the repair of tissue and important for immune system function.

Reduces redness, sunburn and UVB induced skin damage.

ORGA NIC SULPHUR Improves skin quality and texture and helps reduce inflammation which can damage skin cells and cause premature ageing.

The Genetic Skincare products can be used as part of your regular routine. The serums should be applied after cleansing and before your preferred moisturiser and the body lotion can be applied either in the morning or evening before the use of other creams.

Prices start from [RRP to be added]

How does it work?

ORDER & RECEIVE TEST KIT As part of your order, you will need to fill out a quick questionnaire. BelleCell will then send you a test kit in the post.

SWAB & SEND TO LAB Upon receiving the kit, you will need to do 3 cheek swabs and then label them as per the instructions in the kit. These swabs are then sealed and sent back to BelleCell for analysis.

RECEIVE PERSONALISED SKINCARE/SUPPLEMENTS

www.bellecell.com 21 Arlington St, St. James’s, London SW1A 1RN

BelleCell ’s labs will process your genetic test and produce an analysis report of your skin with personalised skincare and supplements based on your genetic makeup.

131

h e a l t h

ESPA New additions to the active nutrients collection Hit refresh on your radiance throughout the day with this multi-tasking mist which delivers a revitalising nutrient-rich veil of nourishing oils to give skin instant luminosity. The formula is powered by both our Vital Nutrient complexes; Omega + Vitamin and Minerals + Electrolyte, and comes in a convenient, portable pump format so you’re good to glow when you’re on the go. This makes it handy if you’re at your desk or need to combat the effects of dehydration when you’re travelling.

Keep it handy in the summer or stow it in your gym bag for a post-workout pep up that remineralises skin with a shot of Electrolytes. Enriched with Turmeric, Carrot Oil and Pearl Algae to pack the micro-droplets full of properties that help to visibly brighten, hydrate, tone, purify and tighten the appearance of pores, you can also use this all-purpose hero as a prep product to help prime skin (making it more receptive to your serum and moisturiser) or spritz as the final step to set makeup and give your complexion a dewy glow.

ESPA Optimal Skin Nutrients Mist 100ml RRP: £26.00 - Hit refresh on your daily radiance with a multi-tasking mist

ESPA Drench & Quench Isotonic Mask RRP: £40.00 - Revitalising mask to quench and re-energise thirsty skin

Packed with a just-juiced feeling of freshness that leaves skin feeling revitalised, this gently foaming cleansing gel wakes up the complexion and washes away every day impurities with a vibrant infusion of Bergamot and Grapefruit waters, that leave skin comfortably clean without feeling tight.

The mild, pH balanced clear gel-tocreamy foam formula helps remove traces of daily makeup and leaves the skin feeling purified. Gently exfoliating Pineapple and Pumpkin enzymes help refine the appearance of the skin which, together with a splash of cooling cucumber and a shot of stimulating Guarana, leaves the complexion feeling reinvigorated.

ESPA Refreshing Fruit Water Cleansing Gel RRP: £32.00 - Gentle cleansing gel to revitalise and refresh skin

Experience an instant burst of hydration when skin needs it the most. The cooling isotonic cocktail of minerals, electrolytes and energising actives in this flash mask will help leave parched skin feeling quenched with hydration and help revive a dewy freshness to the appearance of tired, lifeless complexions.

A quick and easy way to revitalise dry, dull skin that might be feeling the effects of hectic schedules, travel or air conditioning.

Vegetable Taurine and stimulating Guarana help fortify the complexion, while a Spirulina ferment helps to protect against dehydration.

Finally, our new reviving Active Nutrients Mineral + Electrolyte Complex leaves your skin feeling soft and soothed with moisture.

132

Chelsea Showroom, 115 Fulham Road, SW3 6RL chelsea@hastensstores.com +44 02072250974 / (0)2072252998

Hästens Store London, Fitzrovia, 66-68 Margaret Street, W1W 8SR sales@hastensamersham.com +44 20 7436 0646 / +44 20 7436 0654

Hästens Beds Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7XL hastens.harrods@hastens.com +44 (0)207 225 6748

d i r e c t o r y

Directory Greubel Forsey www.greubelforsey.com

Sheridans www.sheridans.co.uk

Watches of Switzerland www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk

Mark Bowden www.markbowden.com

136

Alexander James Interior Design www.aji.co.uk

AMT www.amtauto.co.uk

Patek Philippe www.patek.com

David Morris www.davidmorris.com

LawinSport www.lawinsport.com

Brand Finance www.brandfinance.com

RPC www.rpc.co.uk

137

d pi rr eo cp teorrt yy

Blackphone www.blackphone.co.uk

Polestar www.polestar.com/uk

Hastens Beds www.hastens.com

The Luxury Network www.theluxurynetwork.co.uk

Palmer & Parker www.palmerparker.com

Charles Tyrwhitt hwww.ctshirts.com

JBL www.uk.jbl.com

138

Angelus www.angelus-watches.com

Clckr

A slim & functional phone stand and grip, which clicks into place for everyday use. CLCKR Stands By You. www.clckr.com CLCKR.COM

Quintain Living www.quintainliving.com

Gaga Milano www.gagamilano.com

Perfectly Attired www.perfectlyattired.co.uk

Bellis Homes www.bellishomes.co.uk

Delphina Hotels www.delphinahotels.co.uk

139

d i r e c t o r y

Courmayeur Mont Blanc www.courmayeurmontblanc.it/en

Bamford London www.bamfordlondon.com

Urbanista www.urbanista.com

Eastpak www.eastpak.com

Bellecell www.bellecell.com

Ravn Watches www.ravnwatches.com

Greubel Forsey www.greubelforsey.com

140

Swiss Education Group www.swisseducation.com

USM www.usm.com

ESPA https://www.espaskincare.com/

Arnold & Son www.arnoldandson.com

Marbella Elix www.marbellacollection.gr/marbella-elix/

First Luggage www.firstluggagevip.com

Quinta do Lago www.quintadolago.com

141

fo o t b a l l e r s

Issue

l i fe

14

In this Edition a Special thanks to

Max Nilov Paul Duck Barry Brooks Sean Hunter Tony Simmons

Fraser Reid

David Cronin

Designer

Legal Advisor

Sub Editor

David de Vries

Nathalie Bradbury Quintessentially Editor

Deborah Arthurs

Marcio Quintela

Art Director

Duncan Pratt

Craig Boyland

Founder / Editor in Chief

Lifestyle Director

Fashion Advisor

info@footballerslife.com | sales@footballerslife.com members@footballerslife.com | Phone Number: 07720 844210

Footballers Life Ltd. cannot accept responsibilty for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken prices and details are subject to change, and Footballers Life Ltd. takes no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or part without Publishers permission is strictly prohibited. Although every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this publication is correct at the time of going to press, we cannot accept any responsibilty for any loss or innconvenience however caused.

142