Manchester United defender Raphael Varane says a lack of understanding around ‘micro-concussions’ means he has damaged his long-term health during the course of his football career.
Varane claims he was unaware of the issue until this season but believes repeated head traumas caused by clashes with opposing players and heading the ball will have an effect when he retires.
The former France international cites the 2014 World Cup quarter-final against Nigeria as one example of a game he finished on “autopilot” while he said he also played with a head injury for Real Madrid against Manchester City in the 2019-20 season.
In an interview with L’Equipe, Varane said: “The first time I heard about [micro-concussions] was this season when specialists came in to talk to us about it. Often, as a player, we don’t understand and we don’t even think about doing a test.
“Earlier this season, I headed the ball repeatedly during a match for Man United and felt abnormally tired in the following days, as well as having some eye fatigue.
“I reported it to the staff who strongly recommended that I don’t play, and I took a test which meant that I missed the next match.”
Although attitudes towards concussions in football is slowly changing – permanent concussion substitutions have been given the go-ahead by rule makers IFAB – Varane believes the macho culture of men’s football means it is perceived as weak to pull out of a game due to tiredness.
He added: “As footballers playing at the highest level, we are used to pain, we are a bit like soldiers, tough guys, symbols of physical strength, but these symptoms are almost invisible.
“If your leg hurts and you limp, everyone sees it. But with head injuries, it immediately feels weak to say that you are tired, that you have migraines or eye fatigue. So, we tell ourselves that it will pass.
“Even if it does not cause immediate trauma, we know that in the long term, repeated shocks are likely to have harmful effects. I don’t know if I will live to be 100, but I know that I have damaged my body.”
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has said catching Manchester City or holding off Manchester United in the Premier League table is “irrelevant” to his plans.
Spurs occupy the fifth position which is likely to ensure Uefa Champions League football in 2024/25 at the end of this season, standing eight points above sixth-placed Manchester United with nine games remaining of each sides’ campaign.
Postecoglou’s players will face leaders Liverpool, second-placed Arsenal and third-placed City during their run-in, but the Australian could not give an answer when he was asked whether United are in contention to overhaul them.
“Can you see us challenging Manchester City?” asked Postecoglou. “They’re only eight points ahead of us.
“You either think we can catch Man City, who are eight points ahead of us, or you think Man United can catch us.
“To me, it’s all irrelevant. What’s important for me is… to finish the season strong and keep building on the foundation of being a team that hopefully, in 12 months’ time, people are looking at us differently and talking about us differently.”
Premier League table: City third
With fourth-placed Aston Villa five points behind City, the title race looks certain to be between the current top three.
Liverpool are two points clear of Arsenal after being Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 at home on Sunday before the Gunners drew 0-0 at the reigning champions.
United are four points above seventh-placed West Ham with a game in hand on the Hammers.
Erik ten Hag’s players dropped points for the third time in four matches with a 1-1 draw at Brentford on Saturday which further damaged their fading chances of competing in elite European club competition next season.
A trip to midtable Chelsea awaits on Thursday in the first of two tricky games in four days, followed by the visit of Liverpool on Sunday.
The Reds are 19 points above United and will be seeking revenge for their extra-time defeat at Old Trafford in the FA Cup quarter-finals on March 17.
In the professional world, business cards have long been the standard for networking and making lasting contacts. However, the environmental cost of producing these cards is significant, contributing to deforestation and waste. As society moves towards sustainability, it’s crucial to explore greener alternatives to traditional paper business cards. Below, we will delve into the environmental implications of conventional business card practices and the benefits of switching to eco-friendly options.
The Environmental Toll of Paper Business Cards
Every year, millions of business cards are printed, handed out, and, all too often, discarded. The production of these cards requires substantial amounts of paper, which directly contributes to the depletion of forests. The indirect environmental cost includes the energy expended and greenhouse gases emitted during the manufacturing process, transportation, and disposal of these cards.
The ink used for printing business cards often contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals that can be harmful when released into the environment. Even the process of recycling paper business cards can be energy-intensive and not as effective as one might think since many cards are coated with materials that complicate their recyclability.
The Lifecycle of Eco-Friendly Business Cards
Eco-friendly business cards, such as those made from recycled materials or sustainable sources like bamboo, have a less detrimental environmental footprint. For those who prefer a tangible card, eco business cards offer a compromise between traditional methods and the need for sustainability. They utilize post-consumer waste, reducing the demand for virgin paper.
The production of environmentally-friendly business cards also tends to involve more responsible printing practices, such as using vegetable-based inks or applying less-toxic processes. These materials break down more easily without releasing harmful substances into the environment, and they can also be more readily recycled after use.
Moreover, the manufacturing processes for eco-friendly cards are often powered by renewable energy sources and involve water-saving techniques. Companies producing these cards usually adopt a more holistic approach to sustainability, covering everything from the materials used to the way the end product is delivered to the consumer.
How Traditional Business Cards Contribute to Deforestation
The production of traditional paper business cards has a direct link to deforestation. Forests are invaluable ecosystems that serve as the lungs of our planet, and the paper industry is one of the primary drivers of forest degradation. When forests are cut down to create paper products, including business cards, it disrupts wildlife habitats, decreases biodiversity, and inhibits the forest’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
Deforestation also has broader environmental implications, affecting water cycles and soil quality, and contributing to climate change. As trees are felled, carbon stored within them is released into the atmosphere, exacerbating the greenhouse effect. The loss of forests also robs indigenous communities of their home and source of livelihood, causing social and cultural impacts that are felt deeply.
Implementing Sustainable Networking Practices in Corporate Culture
Shifting to sustainable networking practices requires a cultural change within the corporate world. Companies must prioritize environmental considerations when drafting their networking policies and lead the way by adopting green alternatives to conventional business cards.
The transition can start with company leadership, by encouraging the use of digital cards and promoting the use of recycled or eco-friendly materials for those who need physical cards. Additionally, organizations can host workshops and seminars on sustainable practices to raise awareness and educate employees about the impacts of their networking choices.
Corporate events and conferences also offer a platform for companies to showcase their commitment to sustainability. Here, digital and eco-friendly business cards can become a standard, and partnerships with green suppliers can be forged to provide sustainable networking tools for attendees.
Embedding sustainability into corporate networking practices not only helps the environment but can also enhance a brand’s image and appeal to eco-conscious clients and partners. The integration of green initiatives reflects a company’s dedication to corporate social responsibility and deepens trust among stakeholders.
Overall, the transformation of traditional networking practices is an essential step toward a more sustainable future. By choosing environmentally friendly alternatives, professionals can reduce their impact on the planet while continuing to foster valuable connections. It’s a small gesture with long-lasting implications, demonstrating that environmental responsibility can go hand in hand with business success.
In the fast-paced world of financial technology, the race to launch can be as daunting as it is exhilarating. However, for ambitious fintech startups looking to carve out their niche, white label banking software presents a game-changing solution. Crassula.io, a leading white label banking SaaS platform, exemplifies how startups can leapfrog development hurdles, streamline their go-to-market strategy, and focus on what they do best: innovating.
The Shortcut to Success: White Label Banking
What is White Label Banking?
At its core, white label banking software allows companies to offer banking services under their brand without the need to develop the system from scratch. This approach not only saves time and resources but also enables startups to leverage advanced technologies and compliance frameworks developed by experienced providers.
Why Choose White Label Solutions?
Speed to Market: By eliminating the need for lengthy development processes, startups can launch their services significantly faster.
Cost Efficiency: Developing banking software from the ground up is costly. White label solutions offer a predictable, subscription-based pricing model.
Compliance and Security: Navigating the regulatory landscape of financial services is challenging. White label platforms like Crassula.io come pre-equipped with compliance and security measures, reducing the regulatory burden on startups.
Focus on Core Business: With the technical and regulatory aspects handled, startups can concentrate on customer acquisition, market research, and product innovation.
Spotlight: Crassula – A Case Study in Efficiency
Crassula stands out as a prime example of white label banking’s potential. By offering a comprehensive suite of banking services that can be branded and customized, Crassula allows fintech startups to:
Launch a fully functional digital bank with minimal development time.
Offer a range of services, from payments and card issuing to cryptocurrency transactions.
Enjoy the benefits of a cloud-based platform, ensuring scalability, reliability, and global accessibility.
How Crassula Accelerates Fintech Innovation
Customization and Branding: Startups can tailor the look and feel of their banking services to reflect their brand identity, enhancing customer loyalty.
Advanced Features Out of the Box: From multi-currency accounts to seamless integrations with other financial tools, Crassula.io provides a rich feature set that startups can offer their customers from day one.
Scalable Infrastructure: As startups grow, Crassula.io’s cloud-based infrastructure scales with them, supporting their expansion into new markets and customer segments.
Implementing White Label Solutions: Steps to Success
Identify Your Niche: Understand the specific needs of your target market and how you can address them uniquely.
Choose the Right Partner: Evaluate white label providers based on their technology stack, compliance features, and support services. Crassula.io’s robust platform is a compelling option for many startups.
Customize and Brand: Work closely with your chosen provider to customize the user experience and integrate your branding.
Launch and Iterate: Go to market swiftly, then use customer feedback to iterate and improve your offerings continuously.
Conclusion
For fintech startups, the path to launching innovative banking services doesn’t have to be long or fraught with obstacles. White label banking software, exemplified by platforms like Crassula, offers a streamlined, efficient route to market. By partnering with experienced providers, startups can not only accelerate their launch but also ensure they are built on a foundation of compliance, security, and scalability.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed Declan Rice’s decision to become Arsenal’s record signing before the 2023/24 season despite interest from the reigning champions.
The Cityzens made a reported move for Rice a year before he joined Arsenal and were thought to retain a keen interest in the West Ham captain before he completed his transfer for £100 million plus £5m in performance-related add-ons in July 2023.
“There have been many, many players who I wanted to join us and didn’t come,” Guardiola said, responding to a question about Rice before City attempt to overtake Arsenal at the top of the Premier League on Sunday. “There is a long list. He took his decision – a good one – and a good luck.
“All of the teams in the Premier League would have signed Declan Rice. He is a young player, the captain of the national team and has played a lot of games. That is why Arsenal pushed.”
Rice has impressed during a second successive title challenge by Arsenal and was named England captain for the first time in the Three Lions’ 2-2 draw against Belgium at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday.
Guardiola has faced challenges in central midfield this season, with Kevin De Bruyne yet to return to full fitness after missing five months of the season following hamstring surgery and Kalvin Phillips, who had been a contender to join Rice as an international regular, remaining out of favour and struggling for form during his current loan at West Ham.
De Bruyne could be available for the game at Etihad Stadium, which City will start a point behind their opponents.
PEP 💬 Kevin [De Bruyne] is so important. It has been a tough season for him with injuries. He has been out for a long time. He trained really well yesterday. We will see what he does in the next few days. PIC.TWITTER.COM/IA8WWOGLSR
Mikel Arteta, who was Guardiola’s assistant before becoming Arsenal head coach in 2019, remains a counterpart the City boss admires.
“They have the same manager, new players,” Guardiola assessed. “They control many aspects of the game and every time they get better and better. When you have the same manager and patterns, you improve.”
Guardiola also backed Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard over accusations he led overblown celebrations following a 3-1 home win against Liverpool in February.
Odegaard playfully borrowed a club photographer’s camera to take a snap of the employee on the pitch after the full-time whistle, leading some pundits to repeat criticism aimed at Arteta’s players when they showed their satisfaction at winning games during the 2022/23 season.
“I don’t react over nonsense,” Guardiola said. “If they want to take a picture, take a picture. What is the problem?”
Lisandro Martinez could make his first Manchester United appearance for nearly two months in their Premier League match at Brentford on Saturday, manager Erik ten Hag says.
Defender Martinez has been out with a medial collateral ligament injury since United’s 3-0 home win against West Ham on February 4.
“There is a chance that Martinez will be in the squad,” said Ten Hag. “We missed him every game because he brings a composure and calmness in the team and a winning attitude which he expresses very clearly. That contributes to our levels.”
Ten Hag appeared to contradict England manager Gareth Southgate’s suggestion that United full-back Luke Shaw will not be fit enough for selection for Uefa Euro 2024, which begins in June.
“I expect him back before the end of the season,” said the Dutchman. “He is still on schedule and will return to our team.”
Man United v Brentford team news
Centre-back Harry Maguire was replaced during England’s 1-0 home defeat to Brazil on Saturday, while Casemiro missed United’s extra-time win over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals at Old Trafford with a hamstring injury.
Defender Jonny Evans also missed the dramatic victory with a knock but Ten Hag sounded optimistic after what he called a “wonderful” break.
“We have one more training session but it’s most likely that we have some players back in the squad,” he said. “There are players returning – they are on the pitch and back in team training.”
United face a daunting challenge to finish in the fifth spot which is likely to ensure qualification for the 2024/25 Uefa Champions League, depending on co-efficient rankings at the end of the season.
Tottenham, who currently occupy that position, are six points ahead of Ten Hag’s team and hold a 17-goal superiority over them with 10 league games remaining for both sides.
A 3-1 defeat at Manchester City in their most recent away game on March 3 was the only occasion on which United have not won in their last seven matches.
They had won each of their previous six games on the road in all competitions before the Cityzens came back to comfortably win the Manchester derby.
Miami Open top seed Carlos Alcaraz said Grigor Dimitrov “made me feel like I’m 13 years old” in the Spaniard’s shock 6-2, 6-4 quarter-final loss to the world number 12.
Reigning Wimbledon champion Alcaraz “couldn’t find solutions” as Dimitrov threatened to drub the former world number one, who began a comeback from 4-1 down in the second set before being broken for a fourth time in a 92-minute defeat.
“I couldn’t find the way to make him feel uncomfortable,” conceded Alcaraz. “Once you’re on the court, it’s even hard to see where you have to go or what you have to do.
“It was a great game from his side. I feel I played good – not perfect – tennis, but I have a lot of frustrations because he made me feel like I’m 13 years old.
“It was crazy – I was talking to my team, saying that I don’t know what I have to do. I really want to see the stats: they are going to rank him 10 or 9.9 [out of 10], something like that. Seeing Gregor playing at this level, he is really tough to play against.”
John Stones and Kyle Walker will miss Manchester City’s potentially crucial Premier League match at home to Arsenal on Sunday with injuries they sustained while playing for England during the international break, manager Pep Guardiola has said.
Full-back Walker was replaced during the Three Lions’ 1-0 defeat to Brazil on Saturday because of a suspected hamstring injury before Stones also limped off early in their 2-2 draw against Belgium on Tuesday.
“Kyle’s is tougher than John’s,” said Guardiola, who did not accept an invitation to comment on his feelings about the centre-back playing five days before City try to overhaul the table-topping Gunners. “They will be out for I don’t know how many games.”
Guardiola said goalkeeper Ederson was “much better” following a spell out and Manuel Akanji was “okay” after missing training on Thursday.
The Spaniard also offered an update on playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who missed five months of the campaign following hamstring surgery and did not join Belgium’s squad this month because of a separate issue.
“It has been a tough season for him through injuries,” said Guardiola, adding that City would not “put all of the pressure” on the 32-year-old despite his track record of inspiring them in huge games. “He trained really well yesterday, so we will see.”
City v Arsenal: Top spot the prize
City and Arsenal’s meeting immediately after the international schedule at Etihad Stadium is one of the most anticipated games of an absorbing title race.
The reigning champions are a point behind the visitors, who are again challenging for their first title since 2004 under Guardiola’s former assistant, Mikel Arteta.
PEP 💬 This season has been really good, winning two titles after what happened last season. We are in contention for three main titles of the season. We make incredible work. [We’re into the] last ten games of Premier League, we start an important time. The people will give us… PIC.TWITTER.COM/IEJFGZVRPD
Arsenal are above second-placed Liverpool, who host Brighton & Hove Albion earlier on Sunday in the first of the 10 remaining league matches for each of the contenders.
Guardiola’s side have not lost at home since November 2022 but their 1-0 defeat at Arsenal in October ended their 12-match winning league run in the fixture.
Gabriel Martinelli scored the winner in the 86th minute of a game in which City had one of the three shots on target the teams shared.
Arsenal also beat City in this season’s Community Shield, equalising 11 minutes into added time through Leandro Trossard before triumphing 4-1 on penalties after the 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium.
The Cityzens have not lost since December 6 and signed off before the break with a 2-0 home win against Newcastle to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.
The Fore – a not-for-profit venture philanthropy fund supporting exceptional small charities and social enterprises – is launching its new North West Summer Funding Round, marking the seventh year of grant distribution in the region.
At least 93% of the 11,300 charities registered in the North West of England turn over less than £500,000 per year and are reaching crisis point.
This leaves thousands of local people, who rely on essential support services for their wellbeing and livelihoods, at risk.
Nationally, of the 168,000 registered UK charities, small charities make up a substantial 92%, yet receive only 4% of total sector income.
North West Summer funding round 2024 launches today
Up to three local organisations will each be offered an unrestricted grant of £30,000, plus free access to a pro bono network of over 2,000+ professionals, skills training, peer to peer networks and impact measurement support.
Christopher Kenna, local partner of The Fore, said: “There are so many incredible charities in the North West who need and deserve support to help unlock their full potential. We’ve seen how The Fore’s grants help boost financial resilience and ability to scale and so we are thrilled to offer support again this year. I urge small charities in the region to apply, the process is quick and really simple.”
The Fore expertly identifies the most innovative small charities and catalyses their impact. Across the UK, it has awarded over £9m through 555 grants, and provided over 18,000 hours of skills support.
In the North West alone, since 2018 The Fore has awarded almost £500,000 to more than 30 local organisations, including Mandem Meetup, Manchester Refugee Support Network, Just Psychology, Happy Smiles Training, All Ears Mental Health Awareness CIC, and Stable Lives.
How to apply
Register interest in applying for the 2024 funding round on this page from today (March 28) until noon on April 4. Grant decisions to be announced in July. To take an eligibility test, visit Who we fund – The Fore
Jannik Sinner will face Daniil Medvedev in the Miami Open semi-finals after cruising past Tomas Machac in the last eight on Wednesday.
Machac overcame Andy Murray and Andrey Rublev during his stunning run to the quarter-finals, but he was unable to cope with Sinner’s power and precision on Wednesday.
The Australian Open champion needed just 92 minutes to wrap up a 6-4 6-2 victory, dominating a series of lengthy baseline rallies and converting four of his 11 break points.
Sinner was a beaten finalist in Florida last year, going down in straight sets to Medvedev, but he will get a chance to avenge that result after the Russian clinched a 6-2 7-6 (9-7) quarter-final win over Nicolas Jarry.
Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis after his win, Sinner said: “For me it’s special to play here.
“It’s a special tournament – four years ago I made the final here for the first time in a masters event and this will always be in my heart.
“Coming back is really special for me. There was not much of a crowd four years ago because of Covid and the support is much better now.
“I’m really enjoying these moments. It’s really tricky to play here sometimes because of the wind and you have to be very strong mentally.
“I have really improved a lot here. I’m very happy to be in the semi-finals and hopefully it will be a good match.”
The other two semi-finalists in the men’s draw will be decided on Thursday, with Carlos Alcaraz facing Grigor Dimitrov and Alexander Zverev taking on Fabian Marozsan in the last eight.
