How did Israeli intelligence fail to stop major attack from Gaza?
Israeli officials tell BBC an investigation into Gaza's surprise attack will go on for years.
2023-10-07 21:16
Felipe Massa starts legal action over 2008 F1 title loss to Lewis Hamilton
Felipe Massa’s lawyers have started legal action against Formula 1 and the FIA over the 2008 F1 title loss to Lewis Hamilton, seeking substantial damages following that year’s “Crashgate” scandal and a subsequent alleged “conspiracy.” Brazilian driver Massa, then racing for Ferrari, missed out on the 2008 title by a single point in dramatic circumstances at the final race in Brazil as Hamilton – then driving for McLaren - claimed the point he needed on the final lap in wet conditions. Yet new comments earlier this year, by former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, about the infamous ‘Crashgate’ scandal in Singapore that season has encouraged Massa to assess all his potential options regarding compensation and perhaps overturning the result. While the latter is not currently possible under FIA regulations, a formal eight-page ‘Letter Before Claim’ was sent to F1 boss Stefano Domenicali and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem on Tuesday from London-based Enyo Law, as reported by Reuters. The firm, acting on Massa’s behalf, alleges that the 42-year-old has been “the victim of a conspiracy committed by individuals at the highest level of F1 together with the FIA and Formula One management.” It adds that Massa has lost out on tens of millions of euros in lost earnings and bonuses as a result of Crashgate and missing out on the 2008 title. Crashgate rocked the sport when the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix saw Renault’s Fernando Alonso win the race before it emerged that his team-mate Nelson Piquet Jr. had deliberately crashed to bring out a safety car that played into Alonso’s hands. That safety car prompted a Massa pit stop that Ferrari mishandled, with Massa eventually finishing the race 13th while Hamilton came home third – a difference of six points, a swing which ultimately impacted the title result. While Renault and team boss Flavio Briatore were punished in 2009, the result of the race stood despite Massa’s protestations, with the FIA’s statues making clear that overturning the classification from each season is impossible once the FIA Awards Ceremony for that year is complete, a rule set in the FIA International Sporting Code. Ecclestone revealed in March that both he and then-FIA president Max Mosley knew of the Crashgate scandal in 2008, but refused to publicise the chain of events to avoid the sport a “huge scandal.” The letter from Massa’s lawyers, sent to F1 and FIA, states: "Simply put, Mr Massa is the rightful 2008 Driver’s Champion, and F1 and FIA deliberately ignored the misconduct that cheated him out of that title. "Mr Massa is unable to fully quantify his losses at this stage but estimates that they are likely to exceed tens of millions of Euros. "This amount does not cover the serious moral and reputational losses suffered by Mr Massa.” F1 did not provide an immediate response to Reuters, while the FIA acknowledged receipt of “correspondence” from Massa’s lawyers and added: “The matter is under review and we will not be providing comment at this stage.” The Independent has contacted Formula 1 for comment. Ecclestone, however, told Reuters he could not remember saying the key lines. "I don’t remember any of this, to be honest,” said the 92-year-old. "I don’t remember giving the interview for sure." Massa, speaking in Miami in May, called the situation an “injustice.” “You fight them to the last corner of the last race, pass the chequered flag as the champion and then everything changed,” he told Sky Sports. “For sure, a fight on the track. “Then you discover what has happened in Singapore. People, important people like Bernie [Ecclestone], like Max Mosley, like Charlie Whiting - they knew in 2008 and they didn’t do anything. “That is really a massive surprise for me. It’s really [an] injustice and I think definitely we need to study everything that happened because it’s not fair what has happened.” The new furore surrounding the 2008 title was triggered after Ecclestone told F1-Insider earlier this year: “We decided not to do anything for now. We wanted to protect the sport and save it from a huge scandal. That’s why I used angelic tongues to persuade my former driver Nelson Piquet to keep calm for the time being. “Back then, there was a rule that a world championship classification after the FIA ​​awards ceremony at the end of the year was untouchable. So Hamilton was presented with the trophy and everything was fine. “We had enough information in time to investigate the matter. According to the statutes, we should have cancelled the race in Singapore under these conditions. “That means it would never have happened for the championship standings. And then Felipe Massa would have become world champion and not Lewis Hamilton.” Massa’s lawyers added that the Brazilian wants “recognition that, but for those unlawful acts, he would have been awarded the 2008 Championship” – adding that they will “commence legal proceedings in the English courts” if a suitable response is not received within 14 days. Despite the start of legal action, Massa is not able to officially overturn the result – with the FIA’s own International Sporting Code stating protests and reviews expire 14 days after a competition and four days prior to that year’s prize giving ceremony. He also cannot use the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which has no jurisdiction over the FIA on issues like this, with the independent International Court of Appeal the highest authority in the sport. CAS may only be involved in F1 matters relating to the FIA’s Anti-Doping Disciplinary Committee. Massa’s best-finish in F1 turned out to be that 2008 season as he retired in 2017 while Hamilton has gone on to win six more titles with Mercedes, holding the joint-record of seven F1 World Championships with Michael Schumacher. Read More F1 2023 mid-season awards: Best driver, worst race and biggest surprise Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 F1 title still under threat as Felipe Massa bemoans ‘injustice’ Is a bright Ferrari future being hampered by the past? Flavio Briatore: The ego who landed... with a crash
2023-08-18 17:11
Eddie Howe reacts to Jason Tindall 'centre of attention' memes
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has been asked about the notoriety assistant coach Jason Tindall has been getting on social media.
1970-01-01 08:00
BOE Chief Economist Says UK Inflation at ‘Turning Point’
Bank of England Chief Economist Huw Pill gave the clearest indication yet that officials think they might be
1970-01-01 08:00
San Francisco Giants Clubhouse Apparently More Into Card Game Than Baseball
Giants players are reportedly more into Pusoy dos than baseball.
2023-09-27 07:25
Mentally ill man who attacked congressional staffers has violent history, police say
A man charged with attacking two congressional staffers with a metal baseball bat is being held pending an initial court appearance
2023-05-16 22:45
James McClean wants to carry on playing for Ireland for as long as possible
James McClean has vowed to prolong his Republic of Ireland career for as long as possible after manager Stephen Kenny tipped him to follow in Luka Modric’s footsteps. The 34-year-old old Wigan midfielder will win his 100th senior cap for his country in Monday night’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Gibraltar in Dublin, with the Ireland boss marking the achievement by handing him the captain’s armband. Kenny voiced the opinion last week that McClean is so fit, there is no reason he cannot do what Croatia star Modric has done and play international football at the age of 37. Asked if that was in his mind, McClean said: “Physically I feel great. I don’t feel I have slowed down too much. If I stay injury-free and I’m still enjoying it, if I continue to get picked, why not?” Derry-born McClean won his first cap for Ireland as a substitute against the Czech Republic in February 2012 during his time at Sunderland, and was part of the squads which qualified for the finals of both Euro 2012 and 2016. A winger by trade, he has scored winning goals in key World Cup qualifiers in Austria and Wales, but latterly has been used by Kenny as a wing-back. He will join some of Ireland’s biggest names in reaching a century with only Robbie Keane, Shay Given, John O’Shea, Kevin Kilbane, Steve Staunton and Damien Duff currently ahead of him. Speaking before Kenny confirmed he will start the game, McClean said: “To hopefully get 100 caps and join the illustrious names on that list will be pretty special, not just for my family, but everyone who helped me make that happen.” McClean, who won his 99th cap as a substitute in Greece on Monday evening, will hope to reach his personal landmark in style after a bruising experience for him and his team-mates in Athens. But for all the big nights he has enjoyed in a green shirt, McClean insists the honour of pulling it on in the first place represents the biggest thrill. Asked what was his proudest moment on the international stage, he said: “Representing Ireland. “Being able to do that just once was special. I’ve never hidden the fact of how proud I am to be Irish. To be given the opportunity to step on the pitch and effect games for your country, that’s what I’m proudest of.”
2023-06-19 01:04
Scottish Women’s national soccer team look beyond the upcoming World Cup
As women’s soccer teams around the world prepare for the World Cup kicking off later this week, Scotland are focused on looking ahead to a big set of matches in the autumn.It’s not long now until the 2023 Women's World Cup starts in New Zealand and Australia. The opening match f...
2023-07-18 23:05
JD Sports says still on track despite North American slowdown
By Sarah Young LONDON (Reuters) -JD Sports Fashion said there had been some softening in trade in its North American
2023-06-27 16:20
Barcelona transfer rumours & gossip: Kimmich, Gundogan, Messi & outgoings
Joshua Kimimich, Ilkay Gundogan and Lionel Messi are potential transfer incomings at Barcelona, with rumours suggesting Ansu Fati, Jules Kounde and Ez Abde could be on the way out.
2023-05-27 00:35
Chipmaker Nvidia joins exclusive club of companies with a $1 trillion market capitalization
Nvidia has joined the exclusive club of companies with a $1 trillion market capitalization as the chipmaker benefits from the growing use of artificial intelligence
2023-05-30 23:36
RTÉ admits overpaying Late Late show host Ryan Tubridy
The Irish broadcaster has admitted the top presenter was paid €345k more than was declared publicly.
2023-06-23 00:40
You Might Like...
‘It was dark’: 'Guns N' Roses' Duff McKagan reveals sobriety journey, says 'I wasn't headed toward a long life at all'
Phoenix cleanup at 'The Zone' may have just pushed homeless people to find new places in the area
Who's that singing? As fall migration arrives, apps that ID birds by sound have taken off
Florida man enjoys beer amid Hurricane Idalia floodwaters on August 30
Norfolk Southern changes policy on overheated bearings, months after Ohio derailment
If You Bought A&W Root Beer in the Past 7 Years, the Company Might Owe You Money
Russia-Ukraine war – live: Blood transfusion centre in Kharkiv hit by Russian attack as three killed
US Jobless Claims Tumbled Last Week After Fraud-Inflated Jump