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Football with Faris: Arsenal see red after shocking dismissal
Arsenal found themselves on the receiving end of yet another controversial refereeing call, this time away at Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Gunners have now been awarded the most red cards this season, and those decisions were fairly debatable as to whether they should’ve stood. However, the decision at Molineux was categorically the wrong one, and the person who made that call was none other than Michael Oliver, supposedly the best referee this country has to offer.
Firstly, referees should receive criticism, but personal attacks and abuse, which Oliver has allegedly received, cross the line. However, it seems as though the media and refereeing board, PGMOL, are using this to deflect from accountability for poor refereeing decisions.
Eighteen-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly was left bemused as the victim of the decision. As Wolves looked to counter Arsenal’s corner, the young left-back appeared to trip Matt Doherty in the 43rd minute whilst the ball was still very much in the Wolves half. This tactical foul would surely warrant a yellow card rather than a red. The reasoning for the red was dangerous foul play for a high-studded challenge, but footage illustrated anything but that. Mistakes are part of the game, which is where you look towards VAR for help, but in this instance, VAR official Darren England upheld the on-field decision.
Justice prevailed
Fortunately for Arsenal, the red card didn’t impact the result. During the second half, they played with such intensity you’d have thought they still had 11 players on the pitch. Around the 70th minute, the game became a level playing field as Joao Gomes received a second yellow card for a challenge on Jurrien Timber, which was undoubtedly a far more dangerous tackle than Myles Lewis-Skelly’s and should’ve earned him a straight red and a three-match ban rather than one.
It was substitute left-back Ricardo Calafiori, who replaced Lewis-Skelly, that netted the winner on the half-volley in the 74th minute, rescuing Arsenal from a precarious situation alongside heroic saves from keeper David Raya. Following Arsenal’s appeal, the red card for Lewis-Skelly has since been rescinded, and his three-match ban has been rightly lifted, further proving just how ridiculous the decision was to begin with.
Reaction to the red card
There has been widespread scrutiny towards Michael Oliver’s blunder. Alan Shearer, who’s usually quick to begrudge Arsenal for complaining about referees, described it as one of the worst refereeing decisions he has ever seen. Arsenal legend Ian Wright also expressed his frustration on social media. Moreover, during the Ref Watch segment on Sky Sports, ex-referee Dermot Gallagher also admitted a yellow card should’ve been shown, which is significant as he usually rushes to defend referees after shocking officiating.
PGMOL lack accountability
With the news of a proposed Football Governance Bill that aims to bring an independent regulator to the English game, perhaps we should question whether the independent regulator’s remit should extend beyond the Premier League and also towards the PGMOL. This seems a good idea, not only due to poor refereeing standards and lack of accountability but also in light of the ex-referee David Coote scandal, where he was guilty of alleged substance abuse earlier this season, alongside a leaked video of him using vulgar language when speaking about Jurgen Klopp.
Perhaps with an entity to answer to, the PGMOL will be more cutthroat in response to poor officiating, rather than resting on their laurels and brushing incidents under the carpet.
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Exclusive: How will UK and India woo Trump?
“India’s foreign policy is not tied to the individuals in power in a particular country. We always aim to protect India’s interests, and changes in administration in any country do not alter that approach,” he said.
“Recently, there have been changes in administration in countries such as the UK, Sri Lanka and Japan. However, we continue to maintain strong diplomatic relations with them.
“India’s prime minister Narendra Modi has a good relationship with the US president. This rapport might prove beneficial for the country.”
Muraleedharan was the minister of state for external affairs when Trump visited India in 2020.
He said, “India always wants to maintain a country-to-country and peopleto-people connection.”
Trump and India’s prime minister spoke on a call on Monday (27), when the US president pressed Modi for “fair” trading ties and also discussed plans for a visit to the White House, a readout of the call said.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio with India’s foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Washington DC last Tuesday (21)
It came a day after British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke to Trump last Sunday (26) in a wide-ranging conversation on Gaza and the economy.
“The two leaders stressed the importance of the close and warm ties between the UK and the US, and the president spoke of his respect and affection for the royal family,” a Downing Street statement said. “They agreed to meet soon and looked forward to further discussions then.”
Trump began the call by offering condolences for the death of Starmer’s brother Nick last month.
The US president praised Starmer last Saturday (25) for doing “a very good job”.
“I think he’s done a very good job thus far,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “I like him a lot”.
Alice Copland, policy and parliamentary affairs manager at the UK’s Foreign Policy Centre, told Eastern Eye, “Keir Starmer and his colleagues have been clear in their intention to pursue good relationships with Trump and his allies and develop the US-UK relationship.
Anit Mukherjee
“Trump’s positive remarks about Starmer and their call over the weekend will be seen as a boost. However, the future remains ambiguous, particularly as the UK government also prioritises its manifesto commitment to ‘reset relationships’ with Europe and deliver steadfast support for NATO.
“What this means for the ‘special relationship’ remains to be seen.”
“The raft of executive orders signed by Trump in his first few days in office provide an indication of future challenges that could impact the UK’s relationship with the US. Withdrawal from the World Health Organisation and the Paris Climate Agreement are prominent examples, and these breaks from international norms and institutions could provide a point of tension for Starmer and his cabinet as they attempt to build productive relationships with US counterparts.
V Muraleedharan
“Looking forward, there will be no moment where the USUK relationship is ‘secured’. What often appears to be impulsive policymaking by Trump and an increased use of social media to outline priorities will mean that uncertainty will always remain. It’s going to be an ongoing balancing act for Starmer, when at any moment Trump, and his officials and allies, might suddenly upset the apple cart.”
Starmer last Sunday praised Trump for his “role in securing the landmark ceasefire and hostages deal in Gaza,” as they discussed the “importance of working together for security in the Middle East”.
Trump, meanwhile welcomed the release of BritishIsraeli dual national Emily Damari, who was freed a week ago by Hamas.
Trump also “expressed his well wishes for the King and the royal family”.
The two leaders discussed “how both countries can promote a fair bilateral economic relationship,” with Downing Street highlighting the UK’s efforts at “deregulating to boost growth.”
Dr Sasikumar S Sundaram
Starmer is keen to promote Britain to Trump and big US companies as the Labour government seeks new sources of investment to try to breathe life into a stagnant British economy.
“There are some real tensions between the Trump administration and the UK, particularly regarding how the UK government, under Starmer, supported Kamala Harris’s run for presidency,” Dr Sasikumar S Sundaram, senior lecturer at the department of international politics at City, University of London, and vicechair of the Global South Caucus, told Eastern Eye.
He added, “[Billionaire businessman] Elon Musk really does not like this because he believes it’s a far-left government which is engaged in woke politics. Having said that, the current UK government is also very pragmatic about trying to ensure they achieve the deal without creating a lot of performances, public appearances, and media frenzy.
“The biggest debate will be on tariffs and whether the UK will be affected by Trump’s tariff plan. The government has already made plans to establish proper mechanisms to avoid the sort of ‘tariff bite’.”
Sundaram dwelt on Britain and America’s ties with Asia. “The US also wants to have trade deals with India. There will be a lot of competition between these two countries as to how to approach India for new trade deals,” he said.
“We know that Narendra Modi and Trump are good friends, and they want to use their personal charisma to create more trade deals.
“However, the UK would also try to appeal to Indian industries and try to create a more favourable investment climate.” In his view, India will play the role of a “swing state” in global geopolitics, in terms of placing its central role between the US and the UK. Sundaram said, “Whether those deals can be delivered by the Indian industry is an entirely different question. India still wants to protect domestic industry that resonates with Hindu nationalism. But the real politics is not in focusing on Hindu nationalism, but on being pragmatic to leverage the role of state in global geopolitics. For this, India should reduce its emphasis on Hindu nationalism versus the liberal international order, and focus on what is in India’s best interest in a decade from now. The resolution of tensions with China is a right step in that direction.”
Trump on Monday stressed the importance of India buying more American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship in his phone call with Modi. Both leaders also spoke about immigration. It is anticipated that Modi will visit the US some time in February.
Modi and Trump enjoyed warm relations during the president’s first term, but during his re-election campaign last year, he called India a “very big abuser” on trade and vowed to use tariffs on global imports into the US to correct imbalances.
The US is India’s largest trading partner. Two-way trade surpassed $118 billion (£93.4bn) in 2023-2024, with India posting a surplus of $32bn (£25.4bn).
Trump has also threatened the BRICS group of nations, of which India is a part, with tariffs if they did not accept his demand of committing to not creating a new currency.
Anit Mukherjee, senior lecturer at Kings College, London, said he expected continuity rather than change in Trump’s relations with both the UK and India.
“The UK understands the importance of its partnership with the US, and the Americans also understand it. While there are apprehensions about the role of Elon Musk and his understanding with Keir Starmer, overall I do not see a big shift in UK-US relations,” Mukherjee told Eastern Eye.
He said the comments by some in the Trump administration were just part of a “social media storm”.
“In the world of diplomacy, people don’t get swayed by that. I think that’s just something you will see more in the X world than in the real world.
“While those concerns may have been expressed by some people close to Trump, eventually the president will not be swayed by such arguments and will actually look for what’s in it for America,” the academic said.
He believes the US will be looking at India to buy more American goods of all kinds, especially in the defence sector.
“Apart from that, there shouldn’t much change, since US-India ties enjoy bipartisan support. Moreover, the current form of the Quad came about during the first Trump administration and so there should be more continuity than change,” Mukherjee added.
Dr Uma Purushothaman, an assistant professor in the department of international relations and politics at the Central University of Kerala, said Trump was likely to pursue a more active policy of managing China’s rise by focusing on the Indo-Pacific.
India is also an important strategic partner in US efforts to counter China.
“Trump’s conciliatory approach towards Russia would give India more flexibility in its foreign policy. However, concerns over tariffs and illegal and legal immigration from India would remain, meaning it’s not going to be a totally smooth ride for IndoUS relations,” she said.
There was also likely to be less pressure on concerns over human rights from the US, she added.
D Dhanuraj, founder and chairman of Centre for Public Policy Research, an India-based thinktank, said India should work to strengthen the institutional mechanisms in mutually beneficial areas, instead of falling into sensitive matters that the new administration is focusing on in its early days.
“India must wait and watch the administration’s approach to India and south Asia, for some time. Continuous engagement with the administration and focusing on the commitments from both sides on the deliverables is the way to go, at this stage,” he said.
Lupa Foods CEO hails royal warrant as a mark of trust
Originally known as Donatantonio, Lupa Foods started as a delicatessen shop in Clerkenwell, London, importing and selling ingredients from Italy.
CEO Manish Mandavia told Eastern Eye, “The royal warrant from King Charles is a great sign of confidence, recognising our company as a trusted supplier to the royal household.” With a history of 120 years, Lupa Foods now sources ingredients from more than 10 countries, including Italy, Egypt, Mexico and the Netherlands, serving approximately 150 UK customers with a diverse product range.
Mandavia said, “We’ve earned this recognition through our commitment to high-quality products, exceptional service, and strong environmental and social governance policies.
“As a company, we are at the forefront of sustainable practices, reducing plastic packaging, prioritising staff welfare, and considering our broader environmental and social impact.”
Companies granted the royal warrant – valid for up to five years – are recognised for suppling goods or services to the monarchy. Warrant holders are permitted to display the coat of arms of the associated royal on their packaging, advertising, or stationery.
Mandavia joined Lupa Foods in 2008 as finance director, tasked with driving business growth. He explained that the company specialises in sourcing high-quality ingredients from around the world for delivery in the UK.
“Despite challenges from Brexit, which significantly increased import regulations and costs, we persevered. In 2018, we purchased Compleat Food Network, a strategic move that doubled our turnover from £20 million to £40m. To streamline operations, I made crucial changes – outsourcing our warehouse and delivery fleet to third-party logistics providers, allowing us to focus on our core expertise of sourcing Mediterranean ingredients,” said Mandavia, describing the changes he brought into the business.
“We expanded our ingredient sourcing globally, moving beyond our Italian heritage to include suppliers from Spain, Holland, Germany, Poland, Egypt, Portugal and Mexico.
“This global approach transformed our business model, enabling us to offer a more diverse and comprehensive range of ingredients to our customers.”
In January, Lupa Foods was acquired by Geia Food, a Nordic food group with a combined annual turnover of £370m. The deal marked a transition in ownership for Lupa Foods, moving from being part of the ProVen VCT, owned by Beringea, to joining Geia Food, owned by PE firm Triton Partners.
Mandavia said he is very ‘excited’ about the acquisition.
“This is a chance to scale our operations and enhance our value proposition while continuing to deliver the tailored, highquality service our customers have come to expect. Together with Geia Food, we are ready to lead the way in providing innovative and sustainable food solutions for the UK market,” he said.
“The transaction promises increased funding for strategic growth, enabling Luca Foods to acquire complementary companies in food ingredients and manufacturing. By transitioning from a finance-owned to a food-company-owned structure, the business aims to leverage shared supplier networks and launch new product categories in the UK market.”
Mandavia is a chartered accountant who began his career in E&Y. The Asian boss, who became the CEO of Lupa Foods in 2023, describes his leadership style as collaborative, prioritising staff empowerment through minimal micromanagement.
“My approach gives employees the freedom to make their own decisions and provides them with the space to perform. I like to maintain regular communication and receive updates, but largely, I believe in letting my team do their jobs effectively, intervening only when necessary to stay informed about their progress,” he said.
This philosophy helped create a diverse workplace, with employees from various backgrounds including Indian, Pakistani, Ghanaian, and Italian heritage, he said.
As a B2B company serving around 150 customers, Lupa Foods continues to adapt to changing business landscapes, he said.
On advice for aspiring Asian business leaders, the CEO said described the UK as a fantastic country, and said it operates as a meritocracy.
“Here, you’re judged on your ability and the person you are, rather than the colour of your skin or background. Make sure you work hard, stay focused on achieving results, and you’ll succeed. This is a wonderful place for people of colour to thrive.”
Mandavia said the company is focusing on sourcing ingredients from more diverse countries and categories.
Bobby Bawaw
“For instance, we’re looking at India as a potential source. If necessary, we may send someone on the ground to act as an agent or local market expert. Besides India, we’re also considering China and potentially South America as part of our sourcing plans,” he said.
Lupa Foods, which falls into the small to medium enterprise category, outsources several functions, such as HR, IT, logistics, and warehousing, which allows it to focus on sourcing high-quality ingredients and providing service to customers.
Another Asian-led company which received the royal warrant was Foodspeed. It has been serving the royal household for over 15 years and previously held a royal warrant from Queen Elizabeth since 2012.
Bobby Bawa, CEO of Foodspeed, expressed pride and honour in receiving the recognition. Foodspeed is a major supplier to the hotel, restaurant, and catering industry in London, providing milk, dairy products, and ingredients to over 500 clients.