Latest news with #Riza
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
‘Recovery Must Move Ahead' In Southern Lebanon, Top Aid Official Says
30 April 2025 Imran Riza made the appeal following a visit to Bint Jbeil and Tyre districts on Tuesday. ' What I saw in South Lebanon was both depressing and inspiring. The scale of destruction – to villages, health facilities, and water systems – is disturbing,' he said in a statement. Fighting, ceasefire and escalation The crisis stems from fighting that erupted between Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and Israeli forces following the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel, which killed some 1,200 people. Israel launched an incursion into southern Lebanon in late September 2024 and carried out airstrikes across the country that killed thousands and displaced nearly a million people. Last November, Lebanon and Israel signed a ceasefire agreement to end the fighting. It called for Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants to withdraw from the south, while the Lebanese military would redeploy to the region to guarantee the peace alongside troops from UN peacekeeping mission UNIFIL, who monitor the Blue Line of separation between the two countries. Since then, ceasefire violations have occurred and violence has escalated, including recent Israeli strikes on areas of Lebanon's capital, Beirut, reportedly targeting Hezbollah. 'No time to lose' Mr. Riza described the people he met in the south as truly inspiring. ' It's clear they want to return home, rebuild, and restart their productive lives,' he said. 'Everyone continues to feel a palpable sense of insecurity. Many still lack basics like water and electricity. Too many are still displaced, their homes flattened.' He said people spoke of their need for peace, safe movement, basic services, and support to rebuild. 'They also shared the trauma they and their children have endured, and the importance of addressing mental health in the wake of what they have lived through,' he added. The Humanitarian Coordinator stressed the critical need for sustained funding to restore water, electricity, healthcare, and education, and to assist people eager to get on with their lives. 'There is no time to lose – recovery must move ahead,' he said. Diplomats reinforce support for UN mission Meanwhile, diplomats from dozens of countries showed their solidarity with UNIFIL's work in south Lebanon in a visit to the mission's headquarters in Naqoura on Tuesday. The diplomatic visit included representatives of 38 countries, including all five permanent members of the UN Security Council. Peacekeepers from 47 countries currently serve with UNIFIL, which was established in March 1978 to confirm Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon. Its mandate was most recently defined in Security Councilresolution 1701(2006), which called for a full cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel following their 34-day war on Lebanese territory that year. An encouraging sign UNIFIL Head and Force Commander, Aroldo Lázaro, welcomed the delegation and noted it would have been impossible to host the diplomats just a few months ago. ' Your presence here is an encouraging indication of the increased stability in the south and the progress made since the understanding on a cessation of hostilities came into effect on 27 November 2024,' he said. 'The support of UNIFIL's troop-contributing countries – and the countries who contribute in other ways – is essential to restoring stability to south Lebanon and along the Blue Line. I thank them and their peacekeepers serving on the ground for their continued contributions.' The delegation also visited two UNIFIL positions along the Blue Line, near Marwahin and in Labbouneh. Ambassadors expressed their appreciation for the mission's important work.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cardiff review underway as Tan issues statement
Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan says the club have started a review of "several structures and practices" following relegation to League One. The Bluebirds will be playing third tier football next season for the first time since 2003 following a miserable campaign in which Erol Bulut, Omer Riza and Aaron Ramsey have all taken charge of the first team. Sections of the club's fanbase protested against owner Tan following Saturday's 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion - a result that confirmed Cardiff's relegation. The Malaysian businessmen has hit back at criticism that he has minimal contact with the club. "To say I don't care is wrong and I strongly push back on that," his statement read. "I watch every game and speak to the board and manager before and after each one. My family will tell you: I kick every ball!" A statement from the club and its board of directors does acknowledge calls from Cardiff City Supporters' Trust for communication from the club's hierarchy as well as recognising the "overwhelming feeling of supporter sadness and frustration" following relegation. "This will be the first time in 22 years that Cardiff City Football Club has not been a Premier League or Championship club and it's a reality that we are determined to address and correct at the earliest opportunity," the statement adds. "To have the best chance of achieving this, there will be a thorough period of review across several structures and practices. "This review has begun and involves the owner, board, executive management and stakeholders." 'This storm has been coming' – how Cardiff lost way 'Big changes needed' as Cardiff owner Tan blasted Latest Cardiff City news, analysis and fan views Ramsey was tasked with taking charge of Cardiff's final three matches of the season following the departure of Riza fewer than 24 hours after the Bluebirds were beaten 2-0 by Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on 18 April. The Wales captain oversaw draws against Oxford United and West Bromwich Albion, although Cardiff slipped to the foot of the table. They sit five points behind 21st-placed Luton Town going into their final match of the campaign at Norwich City on Saturday, 3 May (12:30 BST). Tan also said the review will focus on bringing a fresh coaching team to the club. "It will culminate in the appointment and announcement of a new permanent manager and management team that can sculpt and coach a competitive squad through pre-season and into the 2025-26 campaign," his statement continued. "This message has been internally communicated to club staff as the first point of a developing strategy. "We commit to communicating further strategy points with you as the summer progresses; as appointments are made; as our revamped playing squad takes shape; and as we rebuild." Cardiff claimed just one point from the first six matches of the season as Bulut was sacked in September. He was replaced by Riza who oversaw a significant lift early on before the club's form nosedived again in the new year. Prior to the end of his tenure, Riza labelled some of the club's fans "clueless", later apologising after his comments were branded "disrespectful" by the Supporters' Trust. Cardiff were unable to get the vital victories they needed under Ramsey - who said everyone connected to the club "has to look at themselves in the mirror". "We have to be big enough to accept that and we need to get it right for next season," said the Wales international. "It's so important because this club has got so much potential. It's just about getting that right now and hopefully responding well to this and bouncing back quickly."
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Wrong to say I don't care'
Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan says the club have started a review of "several structures and practices" following relegation to League Bluebirds will be playing third-tier football next season for the first time since 2003 following a miserable campaign in which Erol Bulut, Omer Riza and Aaron Ramsey have all taken charge of the first of the club's fanbase protested against owner Tan following Saturday's 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion - a result that confirmed Cardiff's Malaysian businessmen has hit back at criticism that he has minimal contact with the club."To say I don't care is wrong and I strongly push back on that," his statement read."I watch every game and speak to the board and manager before and after each one. My family will tell you: I kick every ball!" A statement from the club and its board of directors does acknowledge calls from Cardiff City Supporters' Trust for communication from the club's hierarchy, as well as recognising the "overwhelming feeling of supporter sadness and frustration" following relegation."This will be the first time in 22 years that Cardiff City Football Club has not been a Premier League or Championship club and it's a reality that we are determined to address and correct at the earliest opportunity," the statement adds."To have the best chance of achieving this, there will be a thorough period of review across several structures and practices. "This review has begun and involves the owner, board, executive management and stakeholders." Ramsey was tasked with taking charge of Cardiff's final three matches of the season following the departure of Riza fewer than 24 hours after the Bluebirds were beaten 2-0 by Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on 18 Wales captain oversaw draws against Oxford United and West Bromwich Albion, although Cardiff slipped to the foot of the table. They sit five points behind 21st-placed Luton Town going into their final match of the campaign at Norwich City on Saturday, 3 May (12:30 BST).Tan also said the review will focus on bringing a fresh coaching team to the club."It will culminate in the appointment and announcement of a new permanent manager and management team that can sculpt and coach a competitive squad through pre-season and into the 2025-26 campaign," his statement continued."This message has been internally communicated to club staff as the first point of a developing strategy. "We commit to communicating further strategy points with you as the summer progresses; as appointments are made; as our revamped playing squad takes shape; and as we rebuild."Cardiff claimed just one point from the first six matches of the season as Bulut was sacked in was replaced by Riza who oversaw a significant lift early on before the club's form nosedived again in the new to the end of his tenure, Riza labelled some of the club's fans "clueless", later apologising after his comments were branded "disrespectful" by the Supporters' were unable to get the vital victories they needed under Ramsey - who said everyone connected to the club "has to look at themselves in the mirror"."We have to be big enough to accept that and we need to get it right for next season," said the Wales midfielder."It's so important because this club has got so much potential. It's just about getting that right now and hopefully responding well to this and bouncing back quickly."
BBC News
27-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'This storm has been coming' – how Cardiff lost way
Agonising, embarrassing and, ultimately, City's relegation has felt a long time coming, much more than just one dismal it has been team has won fewer games in the Championship, and having gone through three managers during this campaign – making it eight in the past four years – the Bluebirds will be playing in the third tier next season, for the first time since Cardiff have been promoted to the Premier League twice in the past 12 years and still have a wage bill bigger than two thirds of their Championship peers, many will wonder why the club finds itself in such a the unavoidable truth is that this relegation is no accident, and is instead the stark result for a club that lost its way a long time ago."It's been an inevitability staring us in the face. It's death by a thousand cuts – I've felt it's been coming for years," former Cardiff striker Nathan Blake told BBC Sport Wales."There's a lot of responsibility that needs to be shared among a lot of people, rather than just focusing on the team or manager. You do have to look at those above and say 'maybe you've run your course'. I think they ran their course a long time ago."You do feel this storm has been coming." Managerial upheaval and 'lost identity' Cardiff had actually started this season with relative optimism, as the 2023-24 campaign was their first without changing manager since successive relegation battles, Erol Bulut came in and guided the Bluebirds to a respectable 12th-place hope was that they could build on that foundation but, instead, Cardiff made the worst start to a season in their history and Bulut was sacked after picking up just one point from their opening six games in the replacement Omer Riza oversaw an initial improvement but, having been brought in as interim manager in September, it was not until December – and in the midst of a nine-match winless run – that he was announced as Bulut's successor until the end of the instability is nothing new for Cardiff, who have had 16 different managers during Vincent Tan's 15-year ownership of the even by their standards, the protracted appointment of Riza drew sharp criticism from fans, with one supporters' group writing an open letter raising "serious concerns" about the state of the were also major doubts about Riza's suitability for the role, considering that his only previous EFL managerial experience had been a brief spell in which he got Leyton Orient relegated to the National League in Cardiff captain Jason Perry believes the "chaos" at board level and "toxic" atmosphere around the club had limited their options, while relegation rivals were appointing proven Championship operators such as Gary Rowett and Mark Robins to steer them to safety."They've not sleepwalked into this situation, they've run into it. It's an incredibly badly run club," Perry tells BBC Sport Wales."I know a lot of supporters who've followed this club for a long time but have told me they're never coming back now."They are supporters who saw more bad days than good days but they felt part of something, that the club represented them – but they don't feel that now."And I get that because I don't feel it as a former player. I find it hard to come here. I think the club has lost touch with what Cardiff is about, it's lost its identity and that hurts more than relegation. That really hurts." 'Tan out' but can Cardiff survive without him? That toxicity has been a theme of the Tan era, manifesting itself with unrest at games and numerous fan rebranding of Cardiff from their traditional blue to red in 2012 caused deep divisions, which have not fully healed for some even a decade after he reversed his recently, supporters have voiced their anger with two large demonstrations this season against the owner, chairman Mehmet Dalman and chief executive Ken perpetual lurching from one crisis to another is seen by many as a result of a lack of football knowledge on the board, denying the club a clear strategy or long-term plan."The board don't know what they're doing and haven't done since they first stepped through the door," says Blake."Things need to change. Whether they will or not, who knows, but if they don't, I just don't know where this ends."These fans deserve more, this city deserves more. To have a billionaire owner and still be in the position we're in… there needs to be a plan. The board needs to improve. I don't think anything changes until things change at the top."That was what fans were demanding at a protest before the draw against Oxford United on Easter Monday."We've been fighting a relegation battle for four years and we've had enough of it. The owner just doesn't want to know," Chris, one of the leaders of the protest holding a banner that read 'Tan Out', told BBC Sport Wales."He hasn't been to a game for years. We can't cope with Tan anymore. We don't know who would replace him but it can't get any worse."Therein lies the issue for those who want Tan gone: Cardiff are utterly dependent on their owner and there are currently no feasible club recorded pre-tax losses of £11.66m in its most recent accounts for the 2023-24 season, showing further support from Malaysian businessman added another £11.83m worth of loans, bringing the total owed to him to around £ club said the loans will be written off or converted to equity, while interest is also being waived. Tan has also provided a written commitment outlining his ongoing from directors and other connected parties have also increased by an additional £11m, taking the total to £ accounts for a large amount of that £40.3m so, although fans may call for the chairman and board to be sacked, it is not a case of simply dismissing a man so heavily invested in the Tan and Dalman can sell Cardiff to a buyer willing to match their valuation, they will be staying. And where Tan is concerned, the club cannot survive without him for Dalman himself wrote in the accounts, Cardiff remain "heavily reliant upon the continued financial support of our owner… without which the future of the club would look much more precarious". 'Expectations high but you know the divides' As long as Tan stays and the fans do not get the change they want, Cardiff will remain a club have been times when old wounds appear to have healed. On the day the Bluebirds were promoted to the Premier League in 2018, Tan was carried on the shoulders of some supporters as they spilled on to the Cardiff City Stadium for many others, the relationship is beyond repair."The situation looks hopeless for us," says Gwenllian Evans, who follows the team home and away."I think plenty still blame Tan and the board for the decisions they've made. There seems to be a lack of interest in the club from Tan, which is disappointing."As well as corroding the club's very soul, that division between its hierarchy and fanbase can affect matters on the described Cardiff as "a big pressure cooker ready to explode" during his tenure and, when he was asked if he thought the club was united in its fight against relegation, his blunt answer was "no I don't," before adding: "I think the expectations are so high at this club."It's the capital of the country, it's a club that's been in the Premier League and is a club that wants to do well, fans want to do well."You already know the divides. I think until that all comes together and there's acceptance of what it is and how we can move forward together, I don't think we'll ever improve."Riza was sacked a couple of days after that interview, a decision that came too late to change the course of Cardiff's Choo and other board members are believed to have wanted him gone during the March international window; some thought they should have pulled the trigger back in Warnock had been sounded out for a dramatic return to the club he saved from Championship relegation and took to the Premier League – but Tan stuck by Riza, a decision that proved profoundly down to League One will cost Cardiff millions of pounds in lost revenue from television coverage, sponsorship and prize money, while attendances will be expected to is no guarantee of a swift return to the Championship either. It took Cardiff 18 years to get back to this level when they were last relegated to the third tier in the 29 teams to have been in the Premier League and relegated to League One, six have never made it back to the Cardiff solve some of their most chronic, deepest-rooted issues, there will be nothing inevitable about their chances of a return.
BBC News
20-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sacked Riza urges Cardiff to stick together
Omer Riza says Cardiff City can only avoid relegation from the Championship if everyone connected with the club is was sacked by the Bluebirds in the aftermath of Friday's 2-0 loss to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, a result that leaves Cardiff in 23rd place, a point adrift of safety with just three matches left to play this Ramsey will take charge of the club's remaining games against Oxford United, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich his exit, Riza said he still feels Cardiff will avoid the drop."Firstly I would like to thank [owner] Tan Sri and the board for the opportunity given to me to steer Cardiff City away from relegation," he wrote on Instagram. "Although not quite there yet, I firmly believe we will survive."I would also like to thank the players who I had a great relationship with and staff for their continued drive and togetherness to achieve this."This season I have had the pleasure of introducing our youngsters at the club on a regular basis which will hopefully give Cardiff City something to really talk about in the future."The staff around the ground and stadium have all been supportive throughout and I wish you all the very best." Following the sacking of Erol Bulut in September, Riza was appointed on a caretaker basis before being handed a contract until the end of the season in losing his opening match as interim boss at Hull City, Riza guided Cardiff to a six-game unbeaten run in which they claimed 14 of the 18 points on was also in charge as the Bluebirds claimed a thumping 3-0 victory over rivals Swansea City at Cardiff City Stadium on 18 January, just two days after the death of his following a bright start, results and performances dropped as the Welsh club found themselves in another relegation his departure, Riza thanked Cardiff fans for the support they showed him."To the fans, I would like to say I hope we enjoyed some moments, the Jacks (Swansea) at home, Watford's 18-game unbeaten run that we stopped, Plymouth 5-0 win and other memorable moments," he wrote."The support you gave me after the loss of my father Josh is one I will never forget and appreciate."Riza, who apologised the day before his sacking for calling some fans "clueless", went on: "The city, the club, the fans, players and board, you can only do this if you do it together."Thank you for everything, the ups and downs will make us stronger."The 45-year-old won nine of his 37 Championship games as boss at a rate of 24%.He also guided the Bluebirds to the fifth round of the FA Cup after knocking out Sheffield United and Stoke City, before being beaten 2-0 by Premier League Aston Villa in the last-16.
