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Day: 13 October 2022

Turkish delight in Trabzon

by: luke@monacolife.net
13/10/2022

AS Monaco were comprehensively beaten by Trabzonspor (4-0) in Eastern Turkey on Thursday, in a result that throws their Europa League group wide open. 

Philippe Clement said pre-match that he believed that his side had shown themselves capable of playing in intense, heated atmospheres after their showing in Belgrade earlier in the competition.

A similar atmosphere awaited them at the Medical Park Stadyumu. Every moment of possession for Monaco was met with deafening whistles that reverberated around the stadium.

Monaco were imperiously dominant, at least statistically, in the opening moments. As Trabzonspor manager Abdullah Avci said post-match, “For the first 25 minutes, Monaco dominated the game.” However, despite multiple corners, and half-chances, the Principality side couldn’t convert their performance into a concrete advantage. And they were made to pay for that.

On the stroke of half-time, Clement’s men fell behind in a moment of folie. There was no danger evident when the ball was played back to Alexander Nübel. Looking to find Malang Sarr, in for Benoît Badiashile who felt discomfort in the warm-up, his pass caught the former unawares. The ball ricocheted off the Frenchman and into the back of the net, sending the almost 30,000 home fans into raptures.

With their tails up, Trabzonspor pushed in the final minutes of the second half against a Monaco side that had lost all rhythm and were grateful for the half-time whistle.

The break didn’t interrupt Trabznspor’s intensity or their rhythm. Vitor Hugo, a half-time substitute got on the scoreboard within three minutes of being on the pitch, rising highest at a corner to double the lead.

Things would get worse, and considerably so for AS Monaco. A sublime Enis Bardhi free-kick, slid under the monégasuqe wall made it three, before former Aston Villa man Trézéguet made it four.

The result ensured both times allowed the game to drift toward its inevitable conclusion. In victory, Trabzonspor have thrown their Europa League group wide open. For now, Monaco drop to third in Group H, behind Thursday night’s opponents only on goal difference with two games remaining.

Man of the match – Youssouf Fofana

On a difficult night for Monaco, Fofana showed his burgeoning experience. In the circumstances, he put in a calm performance. He displayed a range of passing in the first half, whilst also finding space in dangerous positions.

As his side struggled for control in the second half, his influence in possession waned, but he remained positionally aware in the defensive phases, despite the team conceding four goals. With injuries to N’Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba, his form could very realistically earn him a place in the France squad for the World Cup, especially following his positive performances for Didier Deschamps’ side in the most recent international break.

Clement’s comments

Post-match, Clement rued how his team let Trabzonspor take the upper hand in the tie after a positive start. “We started the match well. We mustn’t forget that. We were dominant and did the right things. We attacked well, we defended well, and created chances but weren’t efficient in taking those chances. We concede a goal that shouldn’t concede. Everyone knows that, including Alex.”

He was also disappointed by the manner of their second-half capitulation. “One by one, we tried to force things and stopped playing how we like playing. We had enough shots on targets, but without enough quality. After 2-0, we tried to force things, to play with emotions, and not play together. Playing together has been our strength. That’s been our strength in the past weeks and months. When we do things together, we do things well. Today was a big lesson. When we play as individuals and force things, we don’t play well,” he said.

He added, telling Monaco Life, “In the past weeks, we have won together and now we lose together; that’s how it is.”

However, looking forward, Clement knows that there is still everything to play for in their group. “There are still two matches and we still have our destiny in our own hands,” said Clement. Monaco must now use that agency to good effect in order to reach the knockout stages, as they did last year.

 

Photo by Monaco Life

Fuel crisis: CGT union rejects one-off bonus and 6% pay increase

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/10/2022

As long queues and caps on fuel purchases are imposed at some local petrol stations, the union representing fuel company employees has rejected two offers on the table, calling instead for the strike to be extended to the entire energy sector.

Oil and gas behemoth TotalEnergies has the eyes of all France aimed in their direction. A crippling strike by the company’s refinery workers has brought the country to its knees, with consumers bearing the brunt of the inconvenience.

The French situation has spilled over into Monaco, where local service stations are doing what they can to make supplies last in the face of uncertainties about when the next shipments of petrol will arrive.

The Esso station on Avenue des Castelans is limiting customers to purchases of €25, with a slightly higher cap for companies. The station, whose queues seem endless, is working on a one-day-at-a-time basis, as they are kept as clueless on fuel deliveries as the customers themselves.

Pitstop Monte-Carlo is also seeing massive lines, but they were not limiting purchases. “We were delivered on Friday,” Clivio Piccione, the station’s manager, told Monaco Matin. “Since the opening at 7am this morning, there has been a constant queue. For the moment we have everything, but it remains to be seen whether we will receive a delivery tomorrow (Thursday).”

As instructed by the French Government, TotalEnergies has tried to negotiate with the CGT union, proposing a 6% pay increase for French employees in 2023, and a one-off bonus for workers worldwide in December, equalling a month’s salary, “subject to salary agreements”.

But CGT leader Philippe Martinez publicly rejected the offer, saying, “A negotiation is not an announcement from the CEO. In a negotiation, we put ourselves around a table and we discuss.”

The union is calling for a 10% pay increase.

The government warned that it would step in if necessary and requisition personnel, which it did on Thursday at the Dunkirk and Flanders depots.

It has also told TotalEnergies to raise wages as the oil firm’s two-week standoff with striking workers, which has sapped the country’s petrol supplies, drags on.

Oil depot and refinery strikes have reduced France’s petrol output by more than 60% and left one in three petrol stations struggling for fuel. They have spread this week to other energy companies, including nuclear power group EDF

 

Photo above by Monaco Life

 

 

 

 

Government touts bonus for private sector employees

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/10/2022

Minister of State Pierre Dartout has thrown his support behind the idea of extending to all private sector employees the bonuses that were given in summer to hotel and restaurant employees.

Inflation is hitting pocketbooks all over the world, and even Monaco is not impervious to the effects. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that, with the Principality’s finances showing a projected surplus of €8.8 million, employees in the private sector may soon expect some relief in the form of a “discharged” bonus.

This bonus, which was handed out over the summer to employees in the restaurant and hotel sector and has already been doled out to civil servants and hospital staff, is now being considered for all private sector employees to help maintain their purchasing power in these trying times.

“The role of the State is both to prepare for the future and to protect the population from the dangers of the moment,” said the Minister of State during last week’s National Council Assembly. “Today we have to deal with a rise in the general level of prices that has not been seen since the beginning of the 1980s.”

The bonus would be paid to private sector employees up to a certain remuneration level, without the requirement for employers to pay social charges on top.

“Given the current particularly difficult economic and social context, both for employers and for employees in the Principality, I am announcing that the government is in favour of the bonus support for employees established by the ministerial decree of 1st August being extended to all sectors of activity in the Principality,” said Dartout.

The news was music to the ears of newly elected National Council President Brigitte Boccone-Pagès, who said, “I, along with my colleagues, wish that everything be done to ensure that the effects of inflation are most amply compensated, whether for civil servants, state and municipal employees, for retired civil servants, for medical and non-medical staff at the CHPG, but also for employees in the private sector.”

Of course, this is not a sure thing for all private sector employees, as the final decision rests in the hands of private sector company owners. But with the incentive of no extra social charges, the government and the Council are hopeful most will be happy with the arrangement.

Said National Council Vice-Preisdent Balthazar  Seydoux, “With regard to employees in the private sector, in a liberal economy, the State cannot of course decree salary increases. This is a decision of the employers. On the other hand, elected officials want employers to take up this issue so that in all companies where this is possible, the maintenance of the purchasing power of employees is ensured.”

 

 

Photo by Monaco Life

 

 

 

 

Half term fun to be had at Monaco Fun Fair

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/10/2022

The annual Monaco Fair in the port is back later this month with loads of great games, rides and attractions for kids of all ages!

Wondering what to do with the kids this half term break?

Monaco has it covered as the yearly fun fair returns to the port for four whole weeks of fun and games. Located over the entire upper section of the Quai Albert Ier, as well as on the Darse Sud, visitors can enjoy entertainment stands, delicious food offerings and thrilling rides. It’s a great way to pass a sunny afternoon or a fun evening out for the whole family.

The kick-off will be held on Friday 21st October at 2pm and the fair will run until midnight on 19th November. It will be open daily from 11am to 11pm, with an extended hour on both Friday and Saturday nights, as well as on the eve of public holidays.

On 18th November, the night before National Day, the park will stay open until 1am.

Public safety is at the forefront of the organiser’s minds, and as a result, they have incorporated a few measures to ensure a good time for all. Bags will be checked at the eight access points before entering the fair area, and visitors will be counted to avoid overcrowding. When a certain saturation point is hit, access to the fun fair will be temporarily suspended.

Crowd numbers can be seen in real time on the Monaco Mairie website at www.mairie.mc and it is recommended that people view the situation before heading to the Port.

Additionally, the Mairie has distributed a flyer to make sure that recycling and waste management is handled in an environmentally friendly manner.

 

 

Photo source: Visit Monaco website

 

 

 

 

Monaco set to celebrate the return of the International Circus Festival

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/10/2022

The 45th International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo and the 10th New Generation Festival are back in 2023 with all the usual magic and a few surprises!

After two years of cancellations due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival is returning in January to celebrate its 45th edition, along with the 10th anniversary of the New Generation Festival, showcasing young, up-and-coming talent.

The organising committee, headed up by Princess Stephanie, has an exciting show lined up including a fusion of the two events, where numbers from the New Generation event will be integrated into the International Circus festival, giving guests a chance to see the best of the best in circus entertainment.

As ever, a jury will be on hand to select the bronze, silver and gold winners of the coveted Clown Awards, given to the most creative and unique acts by the show’s jugglers, magicians, clowns, equilibrists and animals. Equally, the New Generation performers will receive similar awards for their efforts, and both groups will be honoured at the Gala Awards Ceremony which will be held on Tuesday 24th January.

The circus, started by Prince Rainier III in 1974, was formed to create a place where traditional circus performers and their families could be supported and showcase their talents to audiences. This small idea has gone on to blossom into the largest circus festival in the world, and has spawned other circus-related events in Monaco, such as the summer workshops, which lets kids try their hands at juggling, acrobatics and other fun activities, as well as the celebration of World Circus Day.

The International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo will be held from 20th to 29th January 2023 at the Chapiteau de l’Espace Fontvieille. Tickets, which are on sale now, as well as more information, can be found online at www.montecarlofestival.mc and www.francebillet.com/  or at the ticket office of the Chapiteau from Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm.

 

 

Photo source: International Circus Festival of Monaco