Rob Palmer

Jan 10, 2025 | surinenglish.com | Rob Palmer

First the good. Before the game there was a touching moment of solidarity as the team from the capital handed over a donation of €1m to help support those affected in the Valencian region by the floods. Valencia thanked them for their financial generosity and for passing over a giant Senyera flag (the flag of the Valencian region) that had been used in Madrid to show support for the victims. Everyone inside the stadium and watching worldwide would have been misty eyed.

Jan 3, 2025 | surinenglish.com | Rob Palmer

I'd previously predicted in this column that Real would test Liverpool FC's resolve with a tempting winter offer. They've always needed a long-term replacement for Dani Carvajal; but now the need is the short-term too, as the right-back is out for the season. The Liverpool star is arguably the best in the world in that position - and certainly the most eligible. Madrid could wait until the summer to sign him for free. As he's in the last six months of his contract, he could start negotiations now.

Dec 27, 2024 | surinenglish.com | Rob Palmer

Let's assess the Catalans first. Under the new management of Hansi Flick, they were energised at the start and he found a formula to utilise the raw young talent he'd inherited. At the end of October, they walked over Sevilla 5-1, beat Bayern Munich 4-1, and humiliated Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. The 4-0 victory took them six points ahead of their great rivals. Atlético were nowhere to be seen. Since then, Barça have gone into freefall, with only one win in seven league matches.

Dec 20, 2024 | surinenglish.com | Rob Palmer

I'm with Jude - who genuinely hasn't got a clue where the Real Madrid roadshow rolls into next. Between 24 November and 12 January, the team have 13 possible games scheduled; remarkably, only two are in their home city. Jude and his teammates took in Leganés and Liverpool. After a brief trip home to host Getafe, they headed to Bilbao and Girona. He made the comments in Bergamo. I'm not alone in discovering that it is the location of Atalanta's Gewiss stadium.

Dec 16, 2024 | jdsupra.com | Rob Palmer

Key takeawaysThe SIAC Rules 2025 come into force from 1 January 2025. They contain a number of changes to the previous rules, with the intention of enhancing the efficiency of SIAC-administered arbitration. We expect the new rules – and, in particular, the more cost and time-effective procedures available – to be well received by users of arbitration.