“What it would demonstrate is Madrid’s ability to recover in a very short time from the dramatic situation we have been through.”Almeida added “adequate security conditions exist, we have the infrastructures and public services to host it and it would send a message to the world that Madrid, despite what we have experienced, does not give up and is back.”UEFA is yet to confirm how or if the tournament will continue, with an update expected after the governing body’s executive committee meeting on June 17.The BBC in Britain reported on Tuesday Lisbon is favourite to host an eight-team Champions League knockout tournament in August, pending UEFA approval.Neither of the city’s two teams — Benfica and Sporting Lisbon — are in the competition and both of their grounds are capable of hosting top level matches, while most virus restrictions will be removed this month.Domestic leagues like La Liga in Spain and the Premier League in England are due to finish in July, allowing the possibility for European competitions to resume the following month. Madrid, Spain | AFP | The mayor of Madrid has said the city is being considered as a potential host of this year’s Champions League final and has given the idea his “total and absolute support”.The fixture was due to be played at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on May 30 before the Champions League was postponed in March with only half of the last 16 completed.The final last season between Liverpool and Tottenham was held at Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano while Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu hosted the 2010 decider between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich.“I know steps are being taken in this regard and on behalf of the city council, I want to show my total and absolute support for the Champions League final being held in Madrid,” mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida told Spanish television channel Trece late on Monday.Spain has been able to bring the coronavirus under control in recent weeks and Madrid moved into phase two, the penultimate stage of the government’s de-escalation programme, on Monday.But overall there have been more than 27,000 deaths caused by COVID-19 in the country.“I think hosting an international event like the Champions League final is very important but especially in these circumstances,” Almeida added. Share on: WhatsApp read more
Few days back DMK working president MK Stalin released a video of him working out vigorously in the gym.While this is seen as the public relations strategy to strengthen his image during this time of political crisis in Tamil Nadu, his own party senior leaders call it unnecessary.The video shows the 64-year-old Stalin doing some hardcore exercises including lifting dumbells. But many are wondering why the video which starts with the message “attitude and effort decides you ” has been released now.DMK spokesperson A Saravanan said, “Stalin believes in strict diet and health regime. The video shows how he is able to maintain health and take work seriously.”Saravanan added that this was not an image building strategy but just a message. “He doesn’t need enhance his political image through this. He is the tallest leader now,” he added.But some senior DMK leaders disagree and told India Today that Stalin is being mislead by a team trying to promote his image.NOT FITNESS BUT PROMOTE DMK IDEOLOGY”DMK is a 70 year old party which does not need an individual image building. Instead Stalin should concentrate on promoting the party’s ideologies,” said a senior DMK leader who didn’t want to be named.M K Stalin got his exclusive public relations and image building team during 2014 Lok Sabha elections when he was given a free hand. After BJP came to power and DMK was washed out, Stalin’s team started concentrating on 2016 assembly elections.Pada Yathras, meeting people, dancing with tribes and yoga photos became popular. His yoga video was released in 2015 where Stalin said he loves sports and promoted yoga for good health.advertisementBut the team which worked for Narendra Modi could not ensure victory for DMK in 2016 assembly elections.And now when Tamil Nadu has too many competitors for grabbing power especially stars like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, sources say Stalin also wants to reach out to people as a dynamic leader.But taking a sarcastic view, political analyst GC Segar said, “He is unable to flex his muscles politically. So happy flexing them in the gym.”NOT AN OFFICIAL VIDEOMadurai Central MLA, Palanivel Thiaga Rajan told India Today, “first thing to point is that it is not an official release. He is an extremely disciplined person. Despite a busy schedule, he maintains his health. That’s how he stays fit because he is focused and disciplined.””Lot of changes are taking place in politics, he had been asking us to stay fit. I used to be fit but because of hectic schedule my fitness routine was disrupted. This video was internally circulated among MLAs and district secretaries. Somebody has taken that video and edited with music and text. It was not intentional. It was more like encouragement for us. We have not traced the person who did it. It’s not intended as a PR exercise and is not posted on official page of DMK,” added Rajan. VIDEO | DMK’s Stalin shoots workout video to strengthen his political image read more