Green Activists Lose Court Case over Dutch F1 Grand Prix

Formula 1 is set to return on Sept. 5 to the picturesque Zandvoort circuit. (Reuters)
Formula 1 is set to return on Sept. 5 to the picturesque Zandvoort circuit. (Reuters)
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Green Activists Lose Court Case over Dutch F1 Grand Prix

Formula 1 is set to return on Sept. 5 to the picturesque Zandvoort circuit. (Reuters)
Formula 1 is set to return on Sept. 5 to the picturesque Zandvoort circuit. (Reuters)

A Dutch court on Thursday denied claims by environmental activists against organizers of the country's first Formula 1 Grand Prix since 1985, who they said threatened endangered species such as the natterjack toad and sand lizard.

Formula 1 is set to return on Sept. 5 to the picturesque Zandvoort circuit, hemmed in between the Dutch coast and a large nature reserve some 25 kilometers (15 miles) west of Amsterdam, as it hopes to make the most of the popularity of Dutch racer Max Verstappen in the Netherlands.

The nature activists had demanded that permits for the track's expansion be overturned, as they claimed builders had demolished precious dune reserves where the rare toads and lizards live and breed.

The court, however, said all permits were in order, as the disturbance for the animals was only temporary and did not weigh up the expected social and economic impact of the Grand Prix.

"This is a sporting event with one of the largest audiences worldwide ... which will likely provide an economic impulse for Zandvoort and the circuit", the court said.

The activists said they would appeal the decision, but the case is unlikely to be heard before the first weekend of September.

To make the race happen, the organizers had to drastically modernize and expand their outdated track, build new access roads through the dunes and construct extra stands to accommodate the expected more than 200,000 spectators.

How many of them will actually be allowed at the track remains to be seen, however, as COVID-19 rules still only allow for limited audiences at events.

Current rules are in place until Sept. 1 and Prime Minister Mark Rutte is expected to clarify the rules for after that date on Friday.



Montpellier Appoint Former PSG Assistant Coach Camara as Manager

(From L, first row) Paris St Germain's assistant coach Zoumana Camara (red jersey) takes part in a training session at the club's Camp des Loges training grounds in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, west of Paris on September 24, 2019. (AFP)
(From L, first row) Paris St Germain's assistant coach Zoumana Camara (red jersey) takes part in a training session at the club's Camp des Loges training grounds in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, west of Paris on September 24, 2019. (AFP)
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Montpellier Appoint Former PSG Assistant Coach Camara as Manager

(From L, first row) Paris St Germain's assistant coach Zoumana Camara (red jersey) takes part in a training session at the club's Camp des Loges training grounds in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, west of Paris on September 24, 2019. (AFP)
(From L, first row) Paris St Germain's assistant coach Zoumana Camara (red jersey) takes part in a training session at the club's Camp des Loges training grounds in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, west of Paris on September 24, 2019. (AFP)

Montpellier have appointed Zoumana Camara as manager, the Ligue 1 club said on Tuesday, with the team bottom of the standings and on a nine-game losing streak.

This will be 46-year-old Camara's first managerial role, having spent over five years as an assistant to Laurent Blanc, Unai Emery and Thomas Tuchel at Paris St Germain, where he played the last eight years of his career.

Camara left that position after the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino in 2021, and spent three seasons coaching the PSG Under-19 team.

Jean-Louis Gasset, who had announced his retirement when leaving his role as interim manager of Olympique Marseille at the end of last season, took charge of Montpellier in October.

Montpellier have 15 points from 28 games, and with six matches remaining, are 11 points off 16th spot which would still put them into a relegation playoff.

Camara's first game in charge will be at Angers on Sunday.