' Not getting the Job after all '

Sacked by Cardiff City,24hrs before 1s home game

Not getting job at Cardiff Devils

Hmmm?


Former Cardiff City announcer Ali Yassine will NOT be switching to Cardiff Devils after club withdraw 'verbal' offer

Tuesday 18th August 2015

BY TERRY PHILLIPS

Yassine, relieved of his duties at Cardiff City Stadium shortly before the first game of the new campaign, had looked set for a switch to ice hockey


Former Cardiff City match announcer Ali Yassine will not be signing for Cardiff Devils after parting company with the Bluebirds abruptly ahead of the start of the new season.

Yassine, dramatically relieved of his duties on the tannoy at Cardiff City Stadium a fortnight ago, was offered a one-off role at a pre-season ice hockey match, but Devils have now said that won’t be happening.

“Cardiff Devils will not be engaging Ali Yassine as a guest announcer or in any other capacity,” said Devils managing director Todd Kelman.

“The suggestion of an opportunity was indeed made to Mr Yassine by a member of Cardiff Devils staff, although this was without my authorisation or support.

“Any verbal offer of engagement is retracted.

“Cardiff Devils have a close relationship with Cardiff City and that will continue.”



Ali Yassine pictured promoting his book at the Cardiff City Stadium
Yassine was taken off tannoy duties at Cardiff City Stadium less than 24 hours before the club kicked off their new season at home against Fulham, but the Bluebirds have dismissed rumours that it had anything to do with cost-cutting.

Yassine had been behind the microphone on match days for 14 years and admitted he was left ‘gutted’ and ‘gobsmacked’ by the decision.

More than 1,100 supporters have signed up to an online petition calling for him to be reinstated, but that looks unlikely to happen.

Cardiff City historian Richard Shepherd stepped in at the last minute to make team announcements for the match against Fulham, although the Bluebirds are actively looking to recruit a long-term replacement for Yassine.

Todd Kelman

An idea for Yassine to join Kelman behind the mic at Devils’ Big Blue Tent rink for their pre-season friendly at home to Coventry Blaze on Saturday, August 29 was suggested, but that will not happen.

Yassine, a regular spectator at ice hockey matches for the last four years, said: “I respect the Cardiff Devils decision.

“I am a big ice hockey fan and would have liked to do it, but Todd Kelman does a great job as their announcer and he helps make the night for me.”

The new Devils season starts this weekend with back-to-back home matches against French club Brest Albatros at the Big Blue Tent this Saturday and Sunday.

Close contact with Cardiff city hmmm!

Hmmmmmm

Hmmmmmm

Close contact with Cardiff city hmmm!

Conspiracy pheories will go into overdrive

Wasn't he sacked due to an argument with shop staff ?

I'm glad. Just wouldn't work at the devils. Shame he got sacked at city though.

Close contact with Cardiff city hmmm!

Yes, that short comment was telling, I believe!

I think we should realise that Ali was sacked for a reason
Whether it be for an argument in the club shop or anywhere else
The Devils decided not to employ him after consultation with Cardiff City
Read into that what you may but he's gone now and all these petitions will not bring him back
We all need to move on and hope the city bring a guy in who's better than Ali so we can get some atmosphere back before and during the games once more

That's why Tan was in the country then. To stop Ali getting the Devils job.

That's why Tan was in the country then. To stop Ali getting the Devils job.

You are learning Neil.

Poor guy I hope he finds a job soon.

Sounds like he was skating on thin ice

Been frozen out of that job then !! Premier trade frames are taking on if he is looking for weekend work.....its Friday to Sunday 6-00am to 6-30pm £220 a week..........and he can talk on the public address during his break...........come on boys.......lets make......some......windows.

If they already have an announcer it sounds like there wasn't a job in the first place. Whoever offered him the job verbally should get a right rollicking.

Sounds like he was skating on thin ice

He's been left out in the cold......

Represented everything that is wrong with football today - Ali's default position is the more noise the better, without actually contributing anything worth listening to. I used to despair at Ninian when half time was nigh, and everyone was forced to listen to some exceedingly loud drivel.

Met the bloke once, same result.

If a football club needs an announcer to generate an atmosphere, then God help us all.

Poor guy I hope he finds a job soon.

Yeah bless him that 2 hours a week he's lost must be terrible. Poor, poor guy.

Poor guy I hope he finds a job soon.

Yeah bless him that 2 hours a week he's lost must be terrible. Poor, poor guy.

I don't know the guy personally, but I had the impression he was above his station. What P.A announcer writes books, appears on S4C and tells little kids off for taking some scrap from a demolished Ninian Park.

He even used to sit just behind the dug out

He was also absolutely appalling at his job. He was paid well for doing something badly. Not sure why he was sacked though...... They wouldnt just sack him would they, especially with his perceived status.

A job offer is not an offer until it's put in writing. If Ali assumed that they wouldn't have asked the club about the reason for his leaving then he's more naive than I thought

I don't know the guy personally, but I had the impression he was above his station. What P.A announcer writes books, appears on S4C and tells little kids off for taking some scrap from a demolished Ninian Park.

He even used to sit just behind the dug out

He was also absolutely appalling at his job. He was paid well for doing something badly. Not sure why he was sacked though...... They wouldnt just sack him would they, especially with his perceived status.

You forgot being best mates with Carwyn Jones for the Yes campaign. lol