UAE plans to introduce new regulations to combat fake education certificates

The UAE is planning to introduce new regulations to prevent people cheating their way into employment with forged university degrees and certificates, according to authorities.

The Federal National Council (FNC) committee on education, culture, sports and information affairs said it has remotely discussed the federal draft law amendment on the use of bogus education certificates, especially from foreign higher institutions, to secure jobs in the country.

The proposed tougher legislation, which will be taken to the FNC meeting for further discussion before being passed by all members, targets dishonest job seekers and will also punish recruiters and employers who knowingly accept fake degrees and other certificates.
Currently, people caught faking certificates can face up to three years in prison under the UAE criminal law.

Adnan Hamad Al Hammadi, FNC member and chairman of the committee, said members of the panel have reviewed the federal draft law on the use of fake education certificates, which consists of 11 articles, during a virtual meeting and looked into the social, legal and other aspects.

"The committee will meet the representatives from the relevant government bodies and experts to get their opinions before preparing the final report of the draft law which will be presented at the FNC meeting," said Al Hammadi.

The legislator noted that the new draft law aims to crackdown on the use of fake degrees and education certificates by citizens and expats to get jobs in government agencies and private firms, or for any other purposes.

"Some people were taking advantage of the new technology to forge education certificates from universities and other higher institutions across the world so they can use them to be recruited for jobs in the country. Tough regulations are required to combat the phenomenon of forging university degrees," underlined Al Hammadi.

Last year, Dr Ahmed Bilhoul Al Falasi, minister of state for higher education and advanced skills, told the FNC members that 143 fake degrees and certificates from foreign universities were detected by UAE authorities during 2018.

He noted that the federal government and local government in Abu Dhabi require the degrees from foreign universities to be accredited by the ministry before they recruit a person, but in some other emirates private companies don't request it.

"Before accrediting any certificate, the ministry asks for stamps from parties concerned, for example the embassy of the country where the degree was issued. Then the officials call the university and confirm if the student graduated from there before an equalisation process is done," said Al Falasi, adding that the ministry was committed to ensuring cases of potential forgery didn't slip through their net.

source:khaleejtimes

Chinese parliament approves controversial Hong Kong security law

China’s legislature has approved a controversial national security law for Hong Kong, dealing what critics have said is a “killer blow” to the city’s autonomy and freedoms.

On Thursday, delegates of China’s National People’s Congress broke out into applause in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People after voting through a draft decision that paves the way for sweeping anti-sedition laws to be directly enacted in Hong Kong.

The legislation, aimed at stamping out protests that have racked the city for the past year, would ban “any acts or activities” that endanger China’s national security, including separatism, subversion and terrorism, charges are often used in mainland China to silence dissidents and other political opponents.

The legislation, which has been described as a “death knell” for Hong Kong, would also allow “national security agencies”, potentially Chinese security forces, to operate in the city.

The decision was widely expected to be passed by China’s parliament, which meets once a year to pass already approved measures. A detailed law will be drafted and could be enacted within the next few months.

The move has prompted condemnation and anxiety inside and outside Hong Kong over Beijing’s plans for the city, where residents have chafed under China’s tightening hold for years.

“It is definitely the start of a new but sad chapter for Hong Kong,” said pro-democracy legislator Claudia Mo. “Hong Kong as we knew it is finally dead.”

Observers say the legislation is likely to worsen unrest in the city, where pro-democracy protests have restarted after a pause during the coronavirus outbreak. On Thursday, riot police were deployed across Hong Kong after at least 360 people were arrested in Hong Kong the day before in demonstrations across the city against Beijing’s plans.

“It confirms the worst. Xi Jinping is determined to push through mechanisms for total control of Hong Kong,” said Willy Lam, an adjunct professor at Chinese University of Hong Kong, referring to China’s leader who has been credited with Beijing’s hardening approach to the territory.

“There will be ferocious demonstrations in the weeks and months ahead, but it won’t change Beijing’s mind,” he said.

On LIHKG, a forum popular with protesters, users were calling for a “hundred-day war” to take advantage of their last opportunity to protest before the laws take place. “Say no to China,” one posted.

“As a Hong Konger there is not much we can do except to show the world we are still fighting for our rights and freedom,” said Serene Chow, 22, who has been part of the demonstrations since last year.

Hong Kong’s security laws: what are they and why are they so controversial?

 

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Chinese and Hong Kong officials have promised the unpopular law will only target a “narrow set of acts”. Similar national security legislation, attempted by the Hong Kong government in 2003, caused mass protests and has not been reintroduced since. The vast majority of Hong Kong residents would not be affected by the new measures, authorities have said.

But critics say the national security laws will be used not only to target protesters, but to permanently undermine the city’s autonomy under the “one country two systems” framework and the city’s de facto constitution, known as the basic law.

The laws will be enacted through a provision bypasses Hong Kong’s legislature and therefore public debate and consultation on the law. Legal experts say this is unconstitutional but there is little that can be done.

“The Chinese communist party is painting a picture to make it seem like it is abiding by the basic law, but it is not. They’re imposing a draconian law which can be used to silence dissent in Hong Kong and infringe on freedoms guaranteed to Hong Kongers,” said Frances Eve, deputy director of research at Chinese Human Rights Defenders, a coalition of human rights NGOs.

The decision passed on Thursday appeared to expand the scope of the legislation. In contrast to the document released last week, the draft legislation proscribes “acts and activities” that endanger national security, which experts say could target broader behaviour like attending an unauthorised rally.

The legislation, which bans all “activities of foreign forces” interfering in Hong Kong affairs, is causing further diplomatic confrontations for Beijing as other countries condemn the plan.

On Wednesday, the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, said his government would no longer consider Hong Kong as separate from mainland China and would revoke its special trade status.

“While the United States once hoped that free and prosperous Hong Kong would provide a model for authoritarian China, it is now clear that China is modelling Hong Kong after itself,” he said.

China’s foreign ministry office in Hong Kong called Pompeo’s remarks “smears and distortion” that “prove the great urgency for the National People’s Congress to decide on enacting national security legislation for Hong Kong”

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian, previously said his government would adopt “necessary countermeasures” to deal with “mistaken” attempts at foreign interference by other countries.

On Thursday Hu Xijin, the editor of nationalistic state-run tabloid the Global Times said it was not up to the US to decide if Hong Kong was autonomous and attributed the city’s success as a financial centre to China.

“If Washington wants to play this card, let them play it … Hong Kong is a major international finance hub because of its special relationship to the mainland’s massive economy. This is more important than the attitude of the US.”

A history of resistance: key dates in Hong Kong's battle with China

 

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After the vote, the Beijing-backed Hong Kong government repeated its support for the legislation, which would require Hong Kong authorities to promote “national security education” and report regularly to the central government.

“It also shows the care of the country toward Hong Kong”, chief executive Carrie Lam said, adding that her administration would fully cooperate to “complete the relevant work … as soon as possible.”

Hong Kong residents, shocked by Beijing’s announcement last week of the national security law, predicted an increase in emigration as the laws move ahead. Wealthy residents have reportedly begun moving their funds elsewhere, afraid the new legislation will allow Chinese authorities seize their wealth.

Others said the latest measure was part of Beijing’s tightening grip over the city, despite the basic law proscribing Chinese interference in Hong Kong.

“Beijing has been eroding that in recent years,” said Wilson Leung, 37, a barrister in the city. “But now this appears to be the killer blow. It is going to be very dark days ahead for the citizens of this once-great city.”

source: theguardian

Coronavirus effect: What protection do sub-let tenants have in the UAE?

All complaints made by sublessors or tenants regarding unpaid rents will be dealt with on a case-to-case basis, with those involved still covered under the suspension of eviction ordered by the authorities in March in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, Gulf News can exclusively reveal.

The Dubai Land Department said in an exclusive statement to Gulf News on Wednesday, "Though Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Judicial Council, had temporarily suspended all eviction judgements related to residential and commercial facilities in the emirate during the pandemic, some people are renting (illegally) from third-party individuals who sublet them the space.

"As such, and in the absence of an Ejari contract that binds both parties, complaints being issued by either the sublessor or the tenant are to be addressed to the Rental Disputes Centre to be considered on a case-by-case basis. These cases are considered exceptional due to their ambiguity, but those involved are still covered under the suspension of eviction that was issued by Sheikh Maktoum."

The clarification comes in the wake of several residents claiming that they are being "evicted" or "harassed" by their sublessors over unpaid rents. 

Sub-let tenants who spoke to Gulf News had said they could not file a complaint as they don't have a tenancy contract and have only leased a room or space sublet to them by a sublessor.

One UAE resident, who asked not to be named, said her sublessor cut the electricity to her room during Ramadan as she was unable to pay rent for two months.

“My family had to spend days without AC and it was really hot,” she said, adding: “Some groups have come to give us food packs. I really could not find a way to raise Dh6,000 to pay my sublessor, who told me we only have until end of the month to pay or he will be forced to evict us,” the resident said.

Another tenant and Nigerian expat Chinelo Okeke, 36, said she and her family are also on the verge of being evicted from their house in Al Ain.

“My husband has no work and I haven’t received my salary yet since the school I worked for was shut down on March 1. We have been receiving food aid but we have not been able to pay rent since February,” she told Gulf News.

In other similar cases, Ninfa Romero Castro and her housemates claimed they were also facing eviction after not being able to pay rent for two months now.

Coronavirus: UAE looks at new law to boost diet and mental health post-pandemic

A post-coronavirus public health law focused on healthy school meals and better mental health facilities was approved by the Federal National Council on Wednesday.

The advisory council met remotely overnight to discuss the draft bill, which covers a series of health-related issues including services for the elderly and disabled, mental health facilities, standards for baby food and school cafeterias, and credibility criteria for health advertisements.

Under the new law, which must be approved by the Cabinet, a public health committee will be formed to deal with any issues related to the law.

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"The draft law aims to set a comprehensive system of rules and scientific procedures to protect public health, whether from a precautionary perspective or scientific evidence," said Dr Hawaa Al Mansoori, head of a health committee that was charged with studied the draft law at the FNC.

One of the main aspects of the law is to place fines on schools that provide unhealthy meals to pupils.

Previously, the Ministry of Health and Prevention had set fines between Dh200,000 and Dh1 million for companies that supply school cafeterias with food that does not meet specific health standards. The manager of the school canteen would also be fined between Dh10,000 to Dh100,000 for serving unhealthy food to children.

On Tuesday, the FNC lowered the fine for suppliers to Dh50,000 – Dh300,000 and reduced the cap for the fine against the canteen supervisor to Dh50,000.

Abdulrahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, argued that the original fines were too severe and that canteen supervisors typically have a low income.

Members of the council argued both positions with some saying the health of children was at stake while others argued that the food may be “unhealthy but it is not spoiled or poisonous”.

“The article says ‘food that does not meet the health standards’. It does not have to be damaging, it could be fattening food that has a high percentage of oil or fat and therefore does not meet health standards,” said Mr Al Owais, adding that the goal of the law is to ensure that pupils eat healthy food at school.

Figures from the ministry estimate that 40 per cent of children in the UAE are either obese or overweight, which increases the risk of these children developing Type 2 diabetes.

As a result, the UAE government introduced a lunch box ban on junk foods and fizzy drinks in schools last year.

Parents were prohibited from packing unhealthy food items including processed meats, chocolate bars and spreads for pupils studying at government schools.

Food served at cafeterias is also closely monitored to ensure healthy meals are available for pupils

On Tuesday, the FNC voted to keep the reduced fines but agreed the health of children was paramount.

The draft law also includes fines of between Dh50,000 and Dh150,000 for publishing a health-related advert that does not meet the specific standards.

Other health issues covered by the new regulation include those related to the environmental and noise pollution, which could affect people’s health but no further details were disclosed.

The draft law also requires the ministry to set standards to protect the health of people with disabilities, to co-ordinate between their treatment centres and to provide mental health cover.

FNC member Naema Al Mansoori recommended a mental health facility be set up in every emirate “not just in Abu Dhabi and Dubai” to ensure everyone in need could have access.

source:thenational

Hotels bend Dubai Tourism rules to offer day passes for beach access

Some Dubai hotels have introduced the concept of a day-pass for residents to access the beach, but this seems to be in direct conflict with recent guidelines issued by Dubai Tourism.

Dubai Tourism recently eased some of the coronavirus restrictions for hotels in Dubai by allowing hotel beaches to open. But the set of guidelines that must be followed mandates that you can only access the beach if you are a hotel guest, staying at the hotel overnight. The hotel cannot sell beach-access tickets to anyone, who isn’t an in-house guest.

In a surprise move, however, some hotels in Dubai are now inviting residents to enjoy a luxury “daycation” with beach access, signature lunch and a hotel room that can be used for a day. One such hotel says, “The day pass lets you soak up the sun under the exotic palm trees and take a dip in azure waters of the Arabian Gulf.”

While the launch of this offer has received great response from some residents, others feel daycations do not allow for proper sanitation of rooms between swapping guests.

The Dubai Tourism rules of beach access do not include renting a room for a day to have access to the beach as a “guest”. Officials from Dubai Tourism confirmed that no day pass is allowed, and beach access can only be for in-house guests, which they agreed was for staycation or a long stay.

A Dubai Tourism official told Gulf News, “No day pass is allowed, beach access is only for in-house guests,” before referring us to the Dubai Tourism guidelines.

The offer of the daycation advertised on the website of one of the hotels in Dubai talks about a relaxing day out, complete with a private hotel room, access to the beautiful white-sand beach, and a set menu. The day pass can be used from 10am to 7pm daily and comes at the cost of Dh395 per person (excluding taxes and fees) based on a minimum of two people. Those looking to continue their “daycation” into the evening will receive a complimentary room extension to 10pm.

As per government directives, hotels need to strictly abide by the social distancing measures, operating at prescribed occupancy percentages with temperature checks on arrival, placing sun beds two metres apart and ensuring all guests wear masks when transiting in public areas.

No entry ban on those whose visa fines are waived in UAE

People whose visa fines are waived and leave the UAE after May 18 won’t be banned from reentering the country, an official said.

On Wednesday, UAE announced a full waiver on all visa fines as per the directive of the President of the UAE, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

People with entry or residency permits that expired before March 1, 2020, will not have to pay fines if they leave the country after May 18. The grace period will last for another three months.

Brigadier Khamis Al Kaabi, spokesperson of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, said there will be no entry ban on people who benefit from the new order and they can re-enter the country.

“The decision will not prevent the beneficiary from returning to the country when he or she fulfills the conditions for entry in accordance with the provisions of law. There is no entry ban procedure for the beneficiary,” Brig Al Kaabi said.

The order includes waiver of fines on expired Emirates ID and work permits.

According to the Immigration Law, an individual who is overstaying in the country without valid residence visa or staying illegally after the entry permit has expired, shall be deported.

Brig Al Kaabi said the authority will announce the mechanism and service provider channels soon.

He said: “We urge the public to use the smart platform of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship to get the services they need.”

Meanwhile, Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai, praised the new order saying it will help visa violators to change their status.

source:gulfnews

World Rugby Council approves change in scoring law

Scoring a try by grounding the ball against the post protector will no longer be possible after the World Rugby Council approved an amendment of the scoring law, rugby union's governing body said in a statement on Tuesday. 

World Rugby said that with defending players currently obliged to stay behind the goal-line and post-protector shape and size increasing for welfare reasons, it was increasingly difficult for teams to legally defend this area. 

The risk of injuries has also increased with defending teams moving post protectors and leaving posts exposed, it added. 

According to the amended law, players will now need to ground the ball in the opponents' in-goal area for a try to be scored. 

The change was approved by the World Rugby Council on Tuesday following recommendations by the international federation's Rugby Committee and specialist Laws Review Group. 

"World Rugby's mission is to make the game as simple, safe and enjoyable to play as possible. This law amendment reflects that mission," World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said.

"By stipulating that an attacking team can no longer score against the post protector and therefore must ground the ball in-goal, this gives defending teams a fair chance of preventing a try from being scored."

Thanking Covid-19 heroes: Free legal services offered to doctors in UAE

In appreciation of the efforts of doctors fighting the Covid-19 pandemic on the front lines, a law firm in the UAE has stepped up to provide them with free legal services.

Bin Suwaidan Firm for Advocates and Legal Consultants reached out to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to make the offer official, and, recently, they signed a memorandum of cooperation.

Under the memo, all legal services will be offered to doctors - including legal representation before UAE courts - for free throughout 2020.

"We deemed it timely and proper to take this initiative as we have been seeing the enormous efforts and sacrifices made by doctors as they risk their lives and their loved ones' in the fight against Covid-19," Emirati lawyer Abdul Moneim Bin Suwaidan told Khaleej Times.

"Their profession is one of the most vital in our life. It has always been essential. The coronavirus has shed more light on how badly we all need doctors and medics. Health and lives are the priority now more than ever."

Since the memo came into effect, requests have already been received from doctors, he added.

Bin Suwaidan stressed the need for other private enterprises to follow suit.

"Doctors must be appreciated and, hence, the administration in our firm came up with the idea of rewarding them. So, we reached out to the DHA about our community service, which is part of other similar services we extend to other entities."

The law firm shall legally represent the doctors in lawsuits, contracts, arbitration, consultations, or any other legal disputes for free, he said. Free consultations will be extended to the rest of the medics.

"Most of the doctors spend weeks and months away from their families as they work hard day and night to save lives. The pressure they reel under at work and in their family life is priceless. This is the least we can offer them," Bin Suwaidan said.

"I really hope other private companies will take initiatives - in their respective domains - to reach out to the doctors and health workers."

The Bin Suwaidan firm has offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sudan and Cairo.

SOURCE:KHALEEJTIMES

Dubai stocks settle after trading turns briefly volatile

Stocks on the Dubai Financial Market had turned volatile before steadying on Sunday as investors factored in full-year results from state-owned airline Emirates and their COVID-induced outlook.

Dubai Financial Market (DFM) index slipped 1.09 per cent to 1,901 points, while Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) rose 1.4 per cent to 4,100 points.

Declines on the DFM widened as much as 2.6 per cent in a largely volatile trading session, bogged down by initial declines seen across most sectors. Shares of Emaar Properties, Emirates NBD, DIB, Aramex and Air Arabia led the pack in declines where 28 stocks fell market-wide, while just 4 stocks rose.

Emirates Group, which operates the world’s largest long-haul carrier, reported a 28 per cent decline in full-year profit as the impact of the coronavirus cut into earnings in March. The pandemic cost the airline over Dh3.4 billion in revenues during the month.

Emirates Airline and Group Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said he does not see air travel returning to normal for at least another 18 months, and warned that the COVID-19 would have a major effect on the coming year’s performance.

Peer and low-budget carrier Air Arabia dropped as much as 3.8 per cent, before clawing back some of its losses to trade down 1.9 per cent. On Thursday, Aramex posted a 38 per cent plunge in its first-quarter net profit.

UAE bourses closed lower last week with the DFM index losing 5.1 per cent and the ADX down 4.0 per cent. The S&P Pan Arab Composite index recorded a weekly loss of 4.5 per cent.

Earlier losses were led by market heavyweights as investors locked in gains from the previous week, explained Aditya Pugalia, director of financial markets research at Emirates NBD.

However, Middle East counterpart and the region’s largest bourse - Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul – rose 0.9 per cent on Sunday, after a near 7 per cent drop seen on a weekly basis, partly supported by Friday’s gains in oil prices and a 0.5 per cent increase posted by the stock of state-owned oil behemoth Aramco.

“Regional markets were unable to sustain the positive momentum from last week even as oil prices continued to rally,” Pugalia added. “It is worth noting that much of the losses came in the early part of the week when global sentiment was weak 

On Friday, Brent crude settled up $1.51, or 5.1 per cent, at $30.97 a barrel after US producers cut output with the number of drilling rigs falling to a record low, and as more states moved ahead with plans to relax lockdowns.

COVID-19: ‘Dubai and UAE are showing the way to a new normal’

Dubai: Stay-home parameters and social-distancing norms have come with their own set of challenges and even as the world hits the ‘reset’ button to get used to the new ‘normal’, there are millions who are braving the ravages of a raging pandemic, day in and day out, just to make sure that life goes on with minimum disruptions.

Apart from the numerous bravehearts who are risking their well-being just to make sure that others are safe and secure — for instance, the health-care workers and law-enforcement personnel — there are others who, though not directly a part of the frontline, are nonetheless going that extra mile to ensure the well-being of others in these trying times.

One such person from the tertiary sectors is Abdullah Al Nasser — a Dubai-based Emirati lawyer for Araa Group of Advocates and Legal Consultants — for whom COVID-19, apart from the crisis that the pandemic has triggered, has also presented an opportunity to see life and its challenges through the prism of positivity.

Gulf News caught up with the legal expert, who shared his views on an unprecedented predicament in human history.

ABDULLAH AL NASSER: No, not on a regular basis and whatever meetings I have had have mostly been conducted remotely. But having said that, let me also tell you that there have been occasions when I have had to meet some of my clients physically, depending upon the seriousness of the case and all those meetings were strictly in adherence with social distancing and healthy-practice norms, such as wearing medical masks, that have been set by the authorities concerned.

How has this pandemic changed the way, if at all, you look at life? You have not been able to meet you clients the way you would like to and the way you were used to for all these years; the courts are closed, there are movement restrictions in place … so how are you coping with all this?

Let me explain this to you in some detail. You see, when the restrictions over the pandemic came into effect for the first time, we were all a worried lot. We felt that everything will be closed and life will come to a complete standstill. And we prepared ourselves for the worst. But after the first few days of movement restrictions and other related regulations, we were pleasantly surprised to see the way Dubai and the UAE took the challenges in their stride.

So much so, that at one point of time, it felt as if we in the UAE were used to this way of life for a long time! We were really surprised to see how the UAE was still managing to keep all its systems going. It felt as if someone had put this new system in place for a long time. For instance, when we were told that courts would have to function through remote-working, we felt that this would take a long time to implement.

But we were soon surprised to see the system working as planned. We initially had about two weeks of lockdown, followed by a partial easing of the restrictions, though even now we are primarily working remotely. But in all this, Dubai and the UAE have managed to keep the vital systems going without a hitch.

Once these lockdowns and movement restrictions are lifted completely, do you think life will be back to what it was earlier?

No I don’t think so. Even when the restrictions are lifted, I don’t see the world going back to its usual ways anytime soon. For instance, last week, I was asked whether I would like to go back to the practice of physical court hearings. I said very clearly that I do not want to go back to the court physically. So lot of things will change and we will get used to a new life, a new way of conducting business.

Taking a cue from what you are saying, can we assume that the coronavirus pandemic, apart from the scare that it has generated, has also taught us a few things about how we look at life?

I have been a lawyer for 13 years, but I have worked in a very different way over the last two months. Obviously this has had an impact on the way one lives and conducts business. In fact, this has had an impact on everyone all over the world. But for someone who is wise and who has a vision, the outcome of all these restrictions will be quite different. So far as Dubai and the UAE are concerned, I think we are much ahead of many other places around the world in getting used to this new way of life.

Is there anyone who inspires you? Anyone who keeps you encouraged to meet the challenges?

The biggest source of encouragement is His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. He is a true visionary. He could see that we may get into a scenario where we may be required to work very differently from the way we have been working for so long.

For instance, the infrastructure for remote working for courts and the judiciary was already in place in Dubai, though it was never used like the way it is being used now. With the coronavirus crisis, we have put that system into full use and this has been made possible because of Shaikh Mohammed. He wants to make life better for all of us.

Legal action fears if Premier League season doesn't finish: Steve Parish

The Premier League could face years of legal challenges if this season is not completed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the chairman of Crystal Palace warned Sunday.

Steve Parish offered public support for the league's "Project Restart" plans after relegation-threatened Brighton and West Ham expressed concerns about teams being forced to play their remaining games in neutral stadiums.

The league is working with the government to find a safe way for players to resume group training and play games by June at the earliest.

But the French and Dutch league seasons have already been halted by their governments amid ongoing concerns about sporting fixtures spreading COVID-19 infections. While Paris Saint-Germain was crowned French champion last week despite Ligue 1 ending prematurely, Ajax will not be awarded the Dutch title.

"I want to complete the competition for reasons of sporting integrity," Parish said in a column published Sunday on the Palace website. "I want to crown Liverpool champions and give every other club a fair crack at the best league position they can achieve. I certainly don't want to have difficult conversations about curtailing, voiding and points per game.

"The ramifications of each are complex and could involve legal challenges that run on for months, if not years. But, yes, it is partly about the money. And we should all care about the money."

Parish highlighted the "many secondary industries football enriches," with the Premier League fearing losses of more than 1 billion pounds from an incomplete campaign as broadcasting commitments are not met.

"Nobody wins if the Premier League receives less money," Parish said. "Football is one of the most efficient tax-generating industries in Britain: we pay the players a lot but 50 percent goes straight back into the public purse. Overall we pay about 3.3 billion pounds in tax every year and it is the Premier League that largely funds the whole football pyramid."

The national lockdown remains in place through Thursday in Britain where more than 28,000 people have died in around two months in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for the new coronavirus.

Parish's explanation of "Project Restart" came as the Premier League faced heavy criticism from one of the main pundits for the broadcaster that provides the league's single biggest revenue stream.

Gary Neville, the former England and Manchester United defender turned Sky Sports commentator, said the Premier League was having a "nightmare" and was "hiding, scared to death of communicating" its plans fully in public. The league has not made any official available for interview since the competition was suspended almost two months ago.

"I want football to return. I also understand the complexities," Neville said in a response to Parish's tweet linking to his column. "No one wants to be responsible for this one! Just in case the unthinkable happens. ... I'd respect them more if they said `We accept the increase in Health Risk but it's one we are willing to take.' They won't as they are frightened to death!"

The Spanish league has been communicating its plans more substantially ahead of players resuming training individually at the clubs' facilities on Monday while observing a series of safety measures pre-established by the league and local authorities, including regular COVID-19 testing.

There is more uncertainty in Italy where the government has only allowed players in regions containing eight of the 20 Serie A clubs to resume individual training from Monday.

While the leagues in England, Italy and Spain will not start until at least June, the German top flight is hoping to resume this month.