When Chelsea last won the Premier League title in 2006, Carlo Ancelotti was the coach of an AC Milan side embroiled in the corruption and match-fixing scandal that rocked Serie A.
Now the manager of Chelsea, the Italian has dismissed the suggestion that tomorrow's games will be unethically influenced by rivalries and "old pals' acts".
While Chelsea visit Liverpool, Manchester United take on a Sunderland side managed by Steve Bruce, the former United captain.
Given the rivalry with United, it would be hard to find a Liverpool supporter would not want his side to lose to Chelsea to prevent Sir Alex Ferguson's side claiming the title for a record 19th time - and move one clear of their Anfield foes in the record books.
But Ancelotti does not expect Sunderland or Liverpool to surrender.
"I don't think about this," he said. "I think Sunderland will do the best to beat Manchester United [on Sunday] and the same for Liverpool to beat us.
"I always think now and also in the past that the matches were clean in Italy.
"There are some questions, but I always think the matches were clean. Here also, because this is a sport. Every team has to be respectful of the other team for the Premier League and overall for the sport.
"Every team has to do the best until the end of the season."
Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, has vented his frustration at the fixture list and the lack of time afforded to his team to rest after their extra-time Europa League semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid on Thursday.
But Ancelotti added: "Maybe they will be a little bit tired, but at Anfield I never see Liverpool tired. To have [Fernando] Torres out is a disadvantage for them because he's one of the most important strikers in the world. But they play a strong 90 minutes every time."
Ancelotti expects nothing less than a committed performance from a side led by Steven Gerrard - who inspired Liverpool to the famous Champions League final victory against Ancelotti's Milan in 2005 - and managed by a man courted by the Italian's former club Juventus.
"I'm sure Benitez will be a success there," added Ancelotti. "Tactically he has fantastic experience so in Italy he will not have a problem.
"Gerrard, he's the best player and for this we have to pay attention. A lot of play comes from his feet, his mind. For me he's a fantastic midfielder."
But Ancelotti will have his own inspirational captain, John Terry, back from suspension and he said: "It's easy for me to give motivation for my players for this kind of game. If we win two games we will be champions."
If Chelsea could win the title and FA Cup, Ancelotti would have a claim to rival Fulham's Roy Hodgson for the award for Manager of the Year. But he smiled as he said: "Give it to Roy Hodgson. I'll be happy to win the title."
akhan@thenational.ae
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
BRAZIL%20SQUAD
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Huroob Ezterari
Director: Ahmed Moussa
Starring: Ahmed El Sakka, Amir Karara, Ghada Adel and Moustafa Mohammed
Three stars
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
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SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019
December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'
JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.
“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”
November 26: ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’
SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue.
SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."
October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'
MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.
“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December."
THE%20SPECS
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EXPATS
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SHAITTAN
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The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: From Dh1 million
On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022
Company%20profile
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Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Company%20profile
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Company%20Profile
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Women%E2%80%99s%20Asia%20Cup
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The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
JAPANESE GRAND PRIX INFO
Schedule (All times UAE)
First practice: Friday, 5-6.30am
Second practice: Friday, 9-10.30am
Third practice: Saturday, 7-8am
Qualifying: Saturday, 10-11am
Race: Sunday, 9am-midday
Race venue: Suzuka International Racing Course
Circuit Length: 5.807km
Number of Laps: 53
Watch live: beIN Sports HD
