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BRITS heading to Greece this week have been warned to expect chaos ahead of a huge country-wide strike.

Air traffic controllers in Greece have announced plans to strike on Friday, 28 February meaning all scheduled flights are expected to be cancelled.

Getty

With one of the key air traffic controller unions (ATC) staging a walkout, it will mean hundreds of commercial flights will be cancelled with thousands of passengers unable to fly.

Athens Venizelos Airport, that handles 400 flights a day, is due to shut down for 24 hours at the end of the week.

The UK airlines that could be affected include EasyJet, Wizz Air, British Airways as they all have flights to Athens.

Sun Travel has approached them for comment.

The ATC strike is part of a wider demonstration as it marks two-years since the rail crash in Northern Greece, where 57 people lost their lives.

Anton Radchenko, of AirAdvisor, says all travel to and from Greece will stop on Friday.

He adds: “It looks like air travel to and from Greece will grind to a complete halt on Friday.

“Unlike some ATC strikes, where only staff from specific unions walkout, from what we gather, Greece’s entire ATC workforce are taking a united front on this matter – so it’s unlikely that temporary staff will be drafted in to help manage the situation.”

For anyone due to fly to Greece on Friday, Anton suggests that travellers who haven’t been contacted by their airline should reach out to see if their flight will be rescheduled.

He also says to download the airline app and sign up to alerts to stay updated on the situation.

Adding to that, Anton explains: “If your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to request a seat on an alternative flight to your destination. 

“If they can’t rebook you on one of their services within a reasonable amount of time, and a seat is available on another carrier’s flight, they are required to book it for you, at your intended airline’s expense.”

Anton also adds that customers who decide they no longer want to travel are entitled to a refund equivalent to the full cost of their ticket.

Not only will the strike affect direct flights to and from Greece, there’s a possibility it will also impact international flights transiting through Greece due to airspace restrictions.

A few flights should remain unaffected which include medical emergency aircraft, those for search and rescue, and government planes.

Across Greece, there will be very limited services that coincide with the second anniversary of the Tempe rail disaster.

The crash on 28 February 2023 was said to expose the ‘shortcomings in safety equipment in Greece’s railway system’.

The hope for those going on strike is that the demonstration will push for greater safety reforms in Greece’s transportation systems.

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Along with the flight cancellations, there will be no train services throughout Greece because of the 24-hour strike.

Ferries will be docked at the port too as Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) are also joining the demonstration.

On Friday there will also be no taxis, pharmacies will close along with theatres and nightclubs.

Greece isn’t the only country staging strikes this week, there’s also disruption in Italy as pilots walk out with planes unable to take off.

Flight compensation rules

A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.

If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.

You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.

So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.

But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.

When am I not entitled to compensation?

The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.

Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.

Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?

If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.

Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.

Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.

If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.

Alamy

VAR was CORRECT to overturn Everton’s controversial late penalty against Manchester United.

The Toffees were denied a chance to win the clash in the dying moments at Goodison Park.

TNT Sports

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Rex

David Moyes’ side had thrown away a two-goal lead in the second half against the Red Devils.

But they believed they had the opportunity to claim three points after Ashley Young went down in the Man Utd box in injury time.

The former Red Devil fell theatrically after contact with Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, with the Dutchman grabbing his shirt.

But Referee Andy Madley pointed the spot as he judged MAGUIRE to have fouled the full-back.

This decision was checked by VAR Matt Donohue.

Maguire had placed a hand on Young’s hip but there was no obvious tug or pull to cause Young’s fall, meaning VAR believed it was a clear and obvious error to award the penalty.

Madley was called to the monitor to look at the incident involving Maguire and changed his decision.

Everton fans were up in arms that the penalty was overturned despite De Ligt clearly having a hold of Young’s shirt, but while the VAR did review that, he decided there was not enough to give a penalty.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

That’s because the penalty wasn’t originally given against De Ligt and therefore it couldn’t be deemed a clear and obvious error.

It’s the same as if the referee had waved play on – the threshold wouldn’t have been high enough to overturn the decision and give a penalty for the Dutchman’s shirt pull.

However if Madley had given the penalty due to De Ligt’s actions, then there would have been no intervention from VAR.

In that scenario it would not have been a clear and obvious error because De Ligt did grab Young’s shirt.

The threshold for this kind of decision has been risen this season.

Donohue decided that the holding of Young’s shirt was “fleeting” and not enough to cause him to fall in his exaggerated manner.

Therefore, Madley was shown angles of the Maguire incident and decided to rescind his original decision of a penalty.

He would have seen the two shirt pulls by De Ligt as he was shown a “high behind” camera angle.

The Premier League addressed the situation at full-time with a statement on social media.

It read: “VAR checked the referee’s call of penalty to Everton for a challenge by Maguire on Young and deemed that no foul had been committed and recommended an on-field review.

“The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with an indirect free-kick.”

Meanwhile, the Red Devils were slammed by their performance by club legend Rio Ferdinand.

The retired defender insisted that he had never seen the club play that badly before.

Sir Alex Ferguson was also in attendance and looked disgusted at the team’s first-half efforts.

Man Utd ratings vs Everton

MANCHESTER UNITED fought back from two goals down to draw against Everton at Goodison Park

The Red Devils were slammed as “embarrassing” by Rio Ferdinand after failing 2-0 down in the first half.

But they fought back late on thanks to a stunning Bruno Fernandes free-kick and volley from Manuel Ugarte, who bagged his first goal since his summer arrival from PSG.

Amorim’s men were then lucky to escape a penalty in the final moments after VAR overturned the decision.

SunSport’s Ken Lawrence has given his ratings of the Manchester United team…

Andre Onana – 7

United needed him with his game-head on, and his 93rd-minute stop saved a point.

Noussair Mazraoui 69′ – 4

Looked seriously uncomfortable on the right side of the back three – forced there because of a defensive injury crisis

Harry Maguire – 4

Out-jumped by Doucoure as the midfielder grabbed Everton’s second and was generally all over the place.

Matthijs de Ligt – 4

Nowhere for Beto’s opener, completely missing attempted clearance and got away with a 93rd-minute penalty call.

Diogo Dalot – 5

At least shows willing. Which is more than could be said for some of his team mates at Goodison.

Manuel Ugarte – 7

Spent most of the game stranded in United’s midfield morass but salvation came with a brilliant strike.

Casemiro 62′ – 2

The Brazilian is beginning to look like the world’s oldest 32-year-old —he’s become a genuine irrelevance.

Patrick Dorgu – 6

Made a determined start down the left flank but that enthusiasm was slowly but surely sucked out of him.

Bruno Fernandes – 8

His free kick was genuine class and once he was dropped deeper started controlling the game.

Joshua Zirkzee – 4

At £36.5M you would expect an element of ball control but the Dutchman used as a joint No 10 just looks lost.

Rasmus Hojlund 69′ – 3

Not so much a desperate Dane, more a despairing one although it would help if he had some support.

Subs:

Alejandro Garnacho 62′ – 7

Injected some desperately needed pace and passion. 

Leny Yoro 69′ – 6

Should have been on much earlier.

Chido Obi-Martin 69′ – 5

The 17-year-old has a presence for sure.

A SICK surgeon accused of sexually abusing 299 patients has gone on trial in what is being dubbed France’s biggest-ever child abuse case.

Depraved Joel Le Scouarnec, alleged to be France’s worst paedophile, took the stands today at the Morbihan Criminal Court in Vannes.

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AFP

The disgraced doctor has been accused of abusing 299 victims between 1989 and 2004, mostly in hospitals around Brittany, France.

Out of those, 256 were under the age of 15, with the youngest aged one and the oldest aged 70.

His youngest alleged victim is said to be just one year old.

The vile man even kept a sickening diary of his alleged crimes writing that he was a paedophile and “proud of it”.

Le Scouarnec is facing more than 100 rape charges and over 150 sexual assault charges at trial, with the average age of his alleged victims being just 11 years old.

Officials claimed he would carry out some of the attacks when his patients were under anaesthetic and being operated on.

The former surgeon is already serving 15 years behind bars after he was found guilty in 2020 of raping and sexually assaulting four young girls.

Two of these victims were his nieces, one was his neighbour, and the fourth was a former patient of his.

Horrifying evidence discovered in the previous investigation into the paedophile helped lead to his new bombshell four-month trial which began today.

He stopped working at the hospital and was arrested in 2017 when his six-year-old neighbour reported being raped.

She lived next door to Le Scouarnec, and told her parents that ‘the man with a crown of white hair’ had exposed himself and sexually touched her through a broken garden fence.

They went to the cops who then made shocking discoveries at his home, including the repulsive diary where he detailed sexual acts with children.

The monster doctor described himself as an “exhibitionist, voyeur, sadist, masochist, scatologist, fetishist, paedophile”.

Every year on his birthday Le Scouarnec would record his age and write a vile message to himself.

He wrote: “I am a paedophile and I am proud of it.”

His diaries reportedly described the apparent crimes in great detail and without an ounce of regret or empathy.

He also included the children’s names, the date he allegedly abused them, and where it happened.

Le Scouarnec denied these words were a reality and claimed they were just his sick “fantasies”.

MISSED CHANCE

Cops also discovered horrifying child-sized sex dolls, some of them chained up, and over 300,000 child abuse images were discovered.

Worrying questions have been raised after it was revealed a litany of chances to stop the monster were missed.

An FBI warning had alerted the French authorities that the former surgeon had been visiting child abuse websites.

The disgraced surgeon had been convicted of downloading pornographic images of children in 2005.

charentelibre.fr

Reuters

A psychiatrist at the hospital Le Scouarnec was also working raised the alarm and said this conviction should lead to him being kicked out of his job.

It was revealed the French health ministry was made aware of this conviction in 2006 but decided to take no further action.

In June 2008, Le Scouarnec moved to a new hospital in Jonzac, in south-west France, and told the director he was being investigated.

This was disregarded and the monster worked there until he retired in 2017.

His alleged sexual abuse is said to have driven some patients to take their own lives, sparked drug and alcohol dependency in others and destroyed relationships.

‘Beast of Avignon’ - France's worst mass rape case

IT is one of the worst cases of sexual abuse that rocked France.

Gisèle Pélicot, 72, was repeatedly drugged over a decade by her pensioner husband Dominique Pélicot so dozens of men could rape her.

Psychologists described Mr Pélicot as a “Jekyll and Hyde” character who appeared like a normal husband during the day and then drugged his wife so strangers could rape her at night.

They described him as having a split personality.

Mr Pélicot said of the comments: “I am accused of many things. We are not born perverts, we become them.

“Even if it is paradoxical, I have never considered my wife as an object.”

A report submitted to the court suggested Mr Pélicot displayed a tendency towards “paraphilia” –  sexual arousal in atypical situations – and also “somnophilia”– an attraction to unconscious partners.

This made him a “very caring and much-loved husband by day” but “a rapist at night”, psychologist Bruno Daunizeau explained in the report.

The court heard how Mr Pélicot considered himself a “good husband” to the woman he married in 1971 and had three children with.

He said he was “respectful of his wife’s desires and refusals to sex”, but “also had fantasies about swinging” and “got pleasure” in seeing his wife “undergo sexual acts that she normally refused”.

The sick grandfather admitted to the heinous mass rape of Ms Pélicot that stretched for almost a decade.

Dominique, dubbed the Devil of Avignon, wept as he was found guilty on all charges of aggravated rape, attempted aggravated rape and taking indecent images of women including his daughter Caroline in court.

Heroic Gisèle Pelicot told the press that she wanted to be open about the hellish struggle of the years-long abuse by her ex-husband for her children’s sake.

The victims and their families want the authorities, who they say should have stopped him earlier, to answer for the scandal.

Shortly after Le Scouarnec appeared in the dock, a spokesman for the departmental council of the Morbihan Medical Association told the court: “Joël Le Scouarnec has seriously brought the profession into disrepute.”

Thibaut Kurzawa, Le Scouarnec’s defence lawyer, said outside court: “He is waiting to be judged, to express himself, to say what he has to say to each of his victims.

“From the beginning he’s been ready to confront reality, to accept his responsibility.”

The Le Scouarnec trial continues and is expected to conclude in June.

Reuters