Smile Jose, it'll be fun! Real Madrid unveil plans for holiday resort in the UAE
Real Madrid have unveiled plans to build a $1billion holiday resort in the United Arab Emirates that is due to open in January 2015.
'Real Madrid Resort Island' will be supported by the government of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, the club said on Thursday.
A presentation at the Bernabeu showed plans for sports facilities, a marina, luxury hotels and villas, an amusement park, a club museum and a futuristic 10,000-seat stadium with one side open to the sea.
Cheer up, Jose: Mourinho (centre) at the unveiling of Real Madrid's holiday resort on Thursday
Getting shirty: A UAE ambassador with club legend Zinedine Zidane (centre) and striker Karim Benzema
'It is a decisive and strategic step that will strengthen our institution in the Middle East and Asia,' said Real president Florentino Perez.
The 430,000-square metre facility is expected to attract around one million visitors in 2015.
Real, nine-times European champions, said the artificial island's location put it equidistant between Europe and the Far East, adding that more than half of their estimated 300 million followers were based in Asia.
But one man present at the unveiling of the plans looked decidedly unimpressed. Madrid manager Jose Mourinho could not force a smile for the cameras.
Glum: Mourinho looked downcast with Benzema and Madrid defender Sergio Ramos (centre)
Frustration: Real Madrid dropped more points in the La Liga title race at Villarreal on Wednesday
Perhaps that has something to do with his team's result on Wednesday night. Despite Cristiano Ronald scoring yet again, for the second time in four days the La Liga leaders conceded a late free kick as they slipped to a 1-1 draw at Villarreal.
And, not only that, Mourinho, who had already been warned by the referee and had seen one of his assistants ejected for complaining, was sent off in the 84th minute for protesting the foul that set up Marcos Senna's equalizer for the Yellow Submarine.
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