SPORT SPORT | 14 SPORT | 15 US Open: Serena Belgian rider advances to Van Aert wins last 32, Murray wind-blown Tour crashes out de stage

SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2020

Messi staying at 'club of his life' to avoid court fight

AFPAFP – MADRIDMADRID said that at the end of the season I could the only way to leave was to pay the “It wasn’t because of the Champions decide if I wanted to go or if I wanted 700-million-euro release clause. League result against Bayern, I had been Lionel Messi said yesterdayyesterday he will stay to stay and in the end he didn’t end up “This is impossible, and then the thinking about it for a long time. I told at Barcelona, insisting he couldco never keeping his word,” Messi said in an other way was to go to trial. I would the President and the President always go to court against “the clubc of his interview with Goal, released never go to court against Barca said that at the end of the season I could life”. yesterday. because it is the club that I love, that decide if I wanted to go or if I wanted But he launched a stinging “I thought and we were sure that I gave me everything since I arrived, it to stay and in the end he did not end up attack on Barca {resident was free. The president always said that is the club of my life, I have made my keeping his word.” Josep Maria Bartomeu,Ba at the end of the season I could decide life here.” Despite his unhappiness, Messi accusing him of going if I stayed or not and now they hold on Messi had said he wanted to leave insists he will give his all for Barcelona back on an to the fact that I did not say it before the club he joined as a boy after Barce- next season under their new coach agagreementree to June 10 when it turns out that on June lona’s humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Ronald Koeman, with his current con- let him leave 10 we were competing for the league in Munich in the Champions League tract due to expire in June next year. forfo free at the middle of this shitty virus and this quarter-finals in August. “I will do my best. I always want to thet end of disease that altered all the dates.” His lawyers sent a burofax stating win, I am competitive and I don’t like last Messi, 33, added: “And this is the his intention to go for free on August 25 to lose ever... I said before we couldn’t season. reason why I am going to continue in the but Messi says he had made his feelings win the Champions League. Now I don’t “The PresidenPresident always club... because the President told me that clear to Bartomeu many times before. know what will happen," Messi said. Al Duhail kick off title defence in style

THE PENINSULA – Al Duhail's Wakrah 2-1 in their opening is being congratulated by match of the season. Khalid The reigning champions, Al team-mates after he scored the Muneer took Al Wakrah ahead Duhail began their QNB Stars team's second goal against Umm in the 25th minute, but Al Ahli League (QSL) title defence in Salal, yesterday. replied through emphatic fashion with a 3-0 (38th minute) and Nabil El win over Umm Salal at the Zhar (51st-minute penalty). Education City Stadium YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Al Wakrah had more of the yesterday. Al Duhail 3-0 Umm Salal ball and chances, but they lacked Luis Martin (fifth minute), Al Ahli 2-1 Al Wakrah in finishing. Mohammed Muntari (36th On the other hand, Al Ahli Al Khor 2-2 Al Arabi minute) and substitute were more pragmatic in their (90+3) scored for The Red approach and reaped the Knights. Boudiaf, Yousef Msakni and rewards for it. Al Duhail started from where Bassam Al Rawi. Khalid Muneer found the they left off, having recently won Luis Martin put Al Duhail in target with an opportunistic their seventh league title. They the lead with a long-range left- strike when Al Ahli goalkeeper edged Al Rayyan by one point in footer. Captain set Ivanildo Rodrigues fumbled with the final round of the previous him up after Luis Martin played collecting Jassim Ali Al Hashimi’s QSL season to secure the Falcon a one-two with him following cross from the left. Shield two weeks ago. Baba Malick’s clearance. Omid helped The Brigadiers Al Duhail dominated Umm The second goal came when draw level by slotting the ball Salal, who put up a brave fight Muntari rose high to head in home following a corner kick in the game after conceding two Rezaeian’s measured cross from from Nabil El Zhar. goals. However, The Orange For- the right. Nabil struck what turned out tress conceded a late goal as well. Ali Afif, who came off the to be the winner when he con- Al Duhail had two new faces bench for Dudu, added the third verted a penalty, awarded for a in Eduardo Rodriguez (Dudu) goal of the match by giving fin- foul by Murad Naji on Hazem and , who ishing touches to his own effort Shehata. switched from relegated side Al off a counter-attack on behalf matches being scheduled in at relegation and even occu- them in front of the might of Later, at the same venue, Al Shahania. Overall, their players of the champions who are pre- Doha. pying the bottom of the table Al Duhail. Khor and Al Arabi shared points more than made up for the paring for the 2020 AFC Cham- Umm Salal, who finished in at one stage, had reinforced Meanwhile, at the Al Ahli following a thrilling contest absences of injured key players pions League, which will the 10th position in the the squad in the new season, Stadium, the hosts fought back which saw the teams scoring two like , Karim resume soon with all West Zone 2019-20 season after staring but that was not enough for from a goal down to beat Al goals each.

Naomi Osaka of Japan hits a forehand against Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine (not pictured) on day five Osaka of the 2020 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, yesterday. battles into last 16

AFP – NEW YORK

Two-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka battled into the last 16 of the US Open yesterday, Alkedri, ridden by Jean-Bernard Eyquem, reaching the finish line to win her first requiring three sets to defeat 18-year-old Group victory, the French Arabian Breeders’ Challenge-Pouliches (Gr2 PA) at Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk. La Teste-de-Buch, France yesterday. Osaka, the 2018 US Open champion, needed RESULTS: 2hr 33min to beat the unseeded world number Men's 137 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 6-2 inside an empty Arthur Alkedri lands first group Singles: Ashe Stadium. Third Round The Japanese fourth seed will play either Alejandro Estonia’s 14th seed Anett Kontavelt or Magda win for Al Shaqab Racing Davidovich Fokina, Linette of Poland for a place in the Spain, def. Cameron quarter-finals. Norrie, Britain, 7-6 (2), 4-6, Osaka walked onto the court wearing a THE PENINSULA – LA TESTE-DE-BUCH early stages of the 2,000m contest race 6-2, 6-1. facemask emblazoned with the name of Ahmaud before Alkedri, who was ridden by Jean- David Goffin (7), BEL, def. Filip Arbery, an unarmed black man who was shot Three-year-old Purebred Arabian Bernard Eyquem, showed a nice turn of Krajinovic (26), Serbia, 6-1, 7-6 dead in broad daylight while jogging in the town Alkedri (Mister Ginoux) landed her first foot in the straight, going on to win deci- (5), 6-4. of Brunswick, in southern Georgia, in Group victory when taking the French sively. The Ali bin Hamad Al Attiya- Women's Singles: Third Round February. Arabian Breeders’ Challenge-Pouliches owned My Belle Du Soleil (General) fin- Petra Martic (8), Croatia, def. Varvara Osaka, an activist against racism and police (Gr2 PA) by a two-length margin at the ished second. Gracheva, RUS, 6-3, 6-3. brutality, is wearing different masks honoring line at La Teste-de-Buch, France Bred by Al Shaqab Racing, Alkedri Yulia Putintseva (23), KAZ, def. Aliaksandra victims of social injustice throughout the tour- yesterday. is the second Group winner for the first Sasnovich, Belarus, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. nament. Ahead of her second-round win on The filly, owned by Al Shaqab Racing crop of the sire Mister Ginoux (Amer). Angelique Kerber (17), GER, def. Ann Li, USA, 6-3, 6-4. Wednesday she wore a covering with the name and trained by Charles Gourdain, scored The Al Shaqab Racing stallion is based Naomi Osaka (4), JPN, def. Marta Kostyuk, UKR, 6-3, Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old African-American for the second time in succession, having at the Haras de Thouars and the same 6-7 (4), 6-2. man who died in police custody last year after landed her first victory over a mile back Qatari connections are also responsible Jennifer Brady (28), USA, def. Caroline Garcia (32), being placed in a chokehold and injected with a in July. for breeding Alkedri. Incidentally, this FRA, 6-3, 6-3. sedative. Hafsa De Monlau (Saladin de filly is a granddaughter of the much-her- Monlau) took the field along during the alded Bergeronnette (Djouran). 14 SPORT SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2020 US Open: Serena advances to last 32, Murray crashes out

AFP — NEW YORK Serena Williams of the United States Serena Williams continued her hunt for a record seventh US Open serves the ball title with a straight-sets win on against Margarita Thursday as Andy Murray crashed Gasparyan of Russia out in the second round at Flushing on day four of the Meadows. 2020 US Open. Williams, the tournament’s third seed, dispatched unseeded Russian Margarita Gasparyan 6-2, OG Anunoby of the 6-4 under the roof of a near-empty Toronto Raptors Arthur Ashe Stadium on a wet New dribbles the ball York evening. during the second The 38-year-old closed out the quarter against the first set with ease before a slight Boston Celtics. wobble in the second when she was broken twice by Gasparyan, before progressing into the third I’m just happy to get through NBA: Anunoby’s round. it and try to focus on the next “I’m just happy to get through round: Serena Williams it and try to focus on the next buzzer beater gives round,” said Williams, who will take on 2017 champion Sloane Stephens in the last 32. Raptors crucial win Williams is seeking a record- equalling 24th singles Grand Slam over Boston Celtics title at a subdued, spectator-free Billie Jean King US National Tennis improved by the absence of The Czech was stunned in In early men’s matches, AFP — MIAMI Center in New York. several top players, included top- straight sets by France’s world second seed Dominic NBA PLAY-OFF RESULTS A tournament victory next ranked Ashleigh Barty and Simona number 50 Caroline Garcia. Thiem celebrated his 27th OG Anunoby drained Eastern Conference (Semi-finals) week would also see her break Halep, over coronavirus fears or Williams’ American compa- birthday with an easy a buzzer-beating Toronto 104 Boston 103 away from Chris Evert, on six titles, injury. triot Sofia Kenin, the number two straight-sets win against three-pointer as the (Boston lead series 2-1) as the most decorated US Open She was handed a further seed, continued her impressive India’s Sumit Nagal. The Toronto Raptors champion of the women’s game boost on Wednesday when top form this year with a straight- Western Conference (Semi-finals) Austrian triumphed 6-3,

resuscitated their NBA Denver 97 LA Clippers 120 in the modern era. seed Karolina Pliskova tumbled forward 6-4, 6-3 victory over title defense on Williams’ chances have been out of the tournament. Canadian Leylah Fernandez to 6-3, 6-2 against Nagal, who (Clippers lead series 1-0) Thursday with a progress into the third round. became the first Indian man 104-103 victory over The reigning Australian Open since 2013 to reach the the Boston Celtics. champion Kenin is yet to drop a second round of a Grand Kyle Lowry, tasked with inbounding the ball set at Flushing Meadows as she Slam. with half a second on the clock and the Raptors bids for her second Grand Slam down 103-101, lofted a perfect arcing pass over title of the year, and of her career. Boston’s towering Tacko Fall to Anunoby on the “I feel like I found a groove. I’m against Slovakia’s Norbert opposite sideline. really focused on every shot,” said Gombos. Third seed and beaten “I had confidence in him,” Lowry said. “We’ll the Moscow-born player who will finalist last year Daniil Medvedev take that win.” take on 27th seed Ons Jabeur of made light work of Australia’s Anunoby set his feet and fired and the Raptors Tunisia in the next round. 116th-ranked Christoper narrowed the deficit in the best-of-seven Eastern In the men’s draw Andy O’Connell, easing into round three Conference semi-final series to 2-1 -- avoiding an Murray, slumped to a 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. 0-3 hole from which no NBA team has come back defeat against a dominant Felix Elsewhere, sixth seed Italian to win a post-season series. Auger-Aliassime. Matteo Berrettini brushed aside “We scrapped and clawed and fought,” said The 15th seed Canadian France’s Ugo Humbert 6-4, 6-4, Lowry, who led the Raptors with 31 points, six smashed 24 aces and 52 winners 7-6 (8-6) while Spaniard Roberto rebounds and eight assists. “We never quit.” in a one-sided affair that saw Bautista Agut progressed against Fred VanVleet scored 17 of his 25 points in the Murray muster just two and nine Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic. second half and Pascal Siakam scored 14 of his 16 respectively. In the women’s competition on after the interval and Anunoby contributed 12 “I just felt like everything was Thursday, Tsvetana Pironkova, points for the Raptors, who battled back from a coming in, my toss, my rhythm. returning after a lengthy time 57-47 halftime deficit. Everything was going well through away from the game following the In a fourth quarter that saw seven lead changes the whole match,” said Felix birth of her son, advanced at the -- neither team leading by more than four points Auger-Aliassime. expense of Garbine Muguruza. -- Boston looked set to take a stranglehold on the In early men’s matches, second The unseeded Bulgarian series when center Daniel Theis, fed by Kemba seed Dominic Thiem celebrated knocked out the 10th Spaniard 7-5, Walker’s savvy pass through traffic, slammed home his 27th birthday with an easy 6-3 in 1hr 21 min. a dunk for a 103-101 lead with 0.5 seconds on the straight-sets win against India’s Seventh seed Madison Keys of clock. Felix Auger-Aliassime of Sumit Nagal. the USA also progressed, making During the ensuing timeout, Boston brought Canada serves during his The Austrian triumphed 6-3, light work of Spain’s Aliona in Fall, who tops out at 2.26m, to defend the men’s singles second round 6-3, 6-2 against Nagal, who Bolsova 6-2, 6-1, while Stephens inbounds play, but he couldn’t hold back the 2019 match against Andy Murray became the first Indian man since easily overcame Belarusian Olga champions. of Great Britain. 2013 to reach the second round of Govortsova 6-2, 6-2. Walker led the Celtics with 29 points. Jaylen a Grand Slam. British ninth seed Jo Konta Brown added 19 with 12 rebounds and Jayson Thiem will play 2014 US Open became another high-ranking Tatum chipped in 15, but Boston have a series on champion Marin Cilic for a place woman to be sent packing, losing their hands now. in the fourth round after the in three sets to Romania’s Sorana Croatian advanced in four sets Cirstea after going a set ahead.

Harbhajan pulls Harbhajan Singh Warriors Sports Center introduces out of virus-hit Indian Premier innovative coaching methods League THE PENINSULA — DOHA Innovative training methods and a AFP — NEW DELHI scientific approach to cricket coaching will be at the forefront at Former India Test off-spinner Harbhajan the newly-opened Warriors Sports Singh yesterday added to a growing list Center (WSC) at Ideal Indian School of top names to pull out of the corona- in Doha. virus hit Indian Premier League. For the first time in , WSC The 40-year-old has also become the has taken the initiative to introduce second key player to withdraw from players development pathway three-time champions Chennai Super program from age group 4 years to Kings ahead of the start on September Under-19 and above. Dr. M P Hassan 19 in United Arab Emirates. The academy was inaugurated Kunhi, President of “Dear Friends, I will not be playing recently by chief guest Dr. M P Ideal Indian School IPL this year due to personal reasons,” Hassan Kunhi, President of Ideal inaugurating the Harbhajan announced on Twitter. Indian School, along with guest of Warriors Sports “These are difficult times and I would honor, Syed Shoukath Ali Principal, Center at Ideal expect some privacy as I spend time with Ideal Indian School, Gul Khan, Head Indian School in my family.” of Domestic Cricket at Qatar Cricket Doha. Harbhajan, who had been at the Association (QCA), Salim Kainikkara, centre of growing speculation as he had General Manager, One FM Radio, and not joined the other players in Dubai, said Mohammed Ibrahim, Managing Chennai had been “extremely supportive” Harbhajan, who has claimed 150 Partner, WSC. of WSC said. Dr. MP Hassan praised appreciated their efforts in pro- and he wished them a “great IPL”. wickets in 160 IPL appearances, was part “We will be coaching children the facility constructed by WSC and moting cricket in Doha. Former Test batsman Suresh Raina of the Mumbai Indians squad for 10 years from the age of 4 years and onwards ensured full support to Warriors. WSC has up to date equipment’s went to Dubai with Chennai but flew before joining Chennai in 2018. till the age of 19 years and above. Our Syed Shoukath Ali said since WSC is for coaching, including a bowling back last weekend, also for “personal Other big name players have also players development pathway based at Ideal Indian School (IIS), the machine, feed buddy machine and reasons”. withdrawn from the tournament in recent program will start with the age group boys team of IIS will perform better ball pitching machine, they employs He cited a deadly attack on his family days. Under-7 years to Under-19 and in the inter school completions high class coaching faculty, certified by robbers after leaving. England’s Jason Roy of the Delhi Cap- above. The program will identify and organised by QCA. coaches from International Cricket The tournament was moved out of itals will not go because of injury. Aus- evaluate the players skill set within Gul Khan of QCA said that such Council (ICC), Sri Lanka Cricket India because of the pandemic. But two tralian international Kane Richardson the different age groups and develop facilities will not only promote Board, Cricket South Africa and Chennai players -- Deepak Chahar and pulled out of Royal Challengers Bangalore them to compete at local and inter- cricket in Qatar but will also produce Pakistan Cricket Board. The facility Ruturaj Gaikwad -- and 11 officials and to be at the birth of his first child. national level. The courses offer many cricketers for Qatar National includes 4 astro turf nets, open field support staff have tested positive for The IPL has yet to release a fixture list Group Coaching, and 1 to 1 coaching team. On behalf of QCA management, playground, running track, and high coronavirus and this has delayed the start for the league, which runs through to sessions to both male and female he wished good luck to the man- standard modern cricket coaching of Chennai’s training. November 10. cricketers,” Kushal Kumar, an official agement and all the staff of WSC and equipment. SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2020 SPORT 15 Johnson, Van Aert wins wind-blown stage Rahm set Stage winner Team Jumbo TOUR DE FRANCE AFP – LAVAUR rider Belgium’s Wout van for battle RESULTS Aert (left) celebrates as he Wout Van Aert picked up a second win of the 2020 crosses the finish line at 1. Wout Van Aert, Belgium, in play-off Tour de France yesterday as aggressive tactics the end of the 7th stage Jumbo-Visma, 3:32:03. and crosswinds combined to produce an of the 107th edition of 2. Edvald Boasson Hagen, Norway, finale enthralling race that claimed several victims. the Tour de France cycling NTT Pro Cycling, same time. British rider Adam Yates retained the yellow race, in Lavaur, yesterday. jersey while Peter Sagan took the green points 3. Bryan Coquard, France, B&B REUTERS – ATLANTA jersey after his Bora team led a carefully plotted Hotels-Vital Concept, same time. and brilliantly executed attack to drop his sprint 4. Christophe Laporte, France, The PGA Tour wraps up a rivals. Cofidis, same time. season unlike any other with From 150km out, Bora launched an unexpected 5. Jasper Stuyven, Belgium, Trek- this week’s Tour Champi- assault, cranking up the pace with attacks which Segafredo, same time. onship in Atlanta where the succeeded in exploiting the crosswinds, splitting 6. Clement Venturini, France, winner from an elite the pack and shedding Sagan’s rivals in the points AG2R la Mondiale, same time. 30-player field will be classification, Irishman Sam Bennett who started 7. Hugo Hofstetter, France, Israel crowned FedExCup champion the day in green, and Australian Caleb Ewan. Start-Up-Nation, same time. and take home an eye- Among the other victims was young Slovenian 8. Egan Arley Bernal Gomez, popping $15m. Tadej Pogacar, who started the day in third overall Colombia, Ineos Grenadiers, Due to a staggered scoring and was left behind late on due to a puncture with same time. system that gives a head start the peloton hitting speeds of 70 km/h in a 9. Adam Yates, Britian, Mitchelton- to the top players in the points crosswind. Scott, same time. standings, Dustin Johnson will Jumbo’s Belgian all-rounder Van Aert also won 10. Alejandro Valverde, Spain, begin at 10 under par, fol- stage five and on Friday outsprinted a small Movistar Team, same time. lowed by Spaniard Jon Rahm leading group. at eight under and former “All the sprinters were dropped already and OVERALL STANDINGS FedExCup champion Justin afterwards it was totally hectic,” said the Jumbo Overall standings after stage 7 of Thomas at seven under. rider at the finish line. the Tour de France from Millau Yet despite the early edge “It was a good day for the team as some to Lavaur yesterday: to begin the third playoff favourites from the GC lost time too,” said Van event, East Lake has not been Aert, whose team leader Primoz Roglic is the 1. Adam Yates (GBR/Mitchelton) kind to favourites as the top favourite to win the Tour. 30hrs 36mins 0sec seed has been winless over “I got a slipstream, found a gap and timed my 2. Primoz Roglic (SLO/JUM) at the last 10 Tour sprint perfectly,” said Van Aert. “But this is more 3 sec Championships. of a surprise than the last win.” The stage 3. Guillaume Martin (FRA/COF) 9 “It’s not like I’ve got a embarked within sight of the 336m-high Millau 4. Egan Bernal (COL/INE) 13 two-shot lead going into the viaduct that reaches across the Tarn Gorge, where 5. Tom Dumoulin (NED/JUM) 13 final round. I’ve still got four winds also hit the Tour in 2019. “The next two 6. Nairo Quintana (COL/ARK) 13 rounds to play,” said Johnson, days should be quite difficult,” admitted Yates. 7. Romain Bardet (FRA/ALM) 13 who is seeking his first Fed- “Everyone expected a quiet day before the 8. Miguel Angel Lopez (COL/ ExCup title in his PGA Tour- mountain but Bora had their ideas. It was very AST) 13 best 12th consecutive Tour hard from start to finish. It means that the next 9. Thibaut Pinot (FRA/FDJ) 13 Championship appearance. two days will be harder.” 10. Rigoberto Uran (COL/EF1) 13 “I’m still going to have to go out and play some really good golf for four days.” Johnson enters the final event of a season that resumed in June after a PSG announce ‘three three-month COVID-19 AFC ‘confident’ of completing hiatus in top form having new positive’ virus won the first playoff event before falling to Rahm in a CL season, says top official play-off at last week’s BMW cases, six in total Championship. Rahm, who with his win AFP – PARIS AFP – KUALA LUMPUR tests, and only being allowed to vaulted seven spots up the leave their hotels with prior standings, said he prefers Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday announced “three new Asia’s football body is “confident” agreement. being the pursuer rather than positive cases” of Covid-19 in their squad, a day after of completing its coronavirus-hit Asked if Asian football will starting with a target on his Neymar and two teammates were revealed to have Champions League this year, a continue to be disrupted even into back like Johnson. contracted the virus, casting serious doubt over the start senior official said yesterday, as it next year, John said the AFC was “Oh, there’s a difference, of their season in France. heads into a frantic period of working on the 2021 calendar, but yeah. You essentially have the “The latest Sars CoV2 tests carried out on the Paris games with some venues still that safety was paramount. pressure of the FedExCup on Saint-Germain playing staff have confirmed that there unknown. “The safety of our teams, your shoulders four days in a are three new positive cases,” the French champions said The region’s showpiece tour- players, officials, broadcast row, even though you still in a tweet, taking the total number of cases in their squad nament has been on hold since partners and stakeholders will need to play really good golf to six. March, creating a heavy backlog always remain the highest priority, for four rounds,” said Rahm. Neymar, Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes were before West Asia group games and we will not hesitate to make Rory McIlroy, who earlier the first three to test positive, all after a recent holiday resume in Qatar on September difficult decisions if necessary,” he on Thursday announced that on the Spanish Mediterranean island of Ibiza. 14. said. his first child was born on Sports daily L’Equipe reported that Brazilian defender Two of the East Asia groups “Our commitment remains Monday, returns as defending Marquinhos, Argentine striker Mauro Icardi and goal- will be played from October 16 in countries in Asia are battling focused on completing our com- champion and will start the keeper Keylor Navas -- who were also in Ibiza -- were Malaysia, but no host has been serious outbreaks. But John said petitions as much as possible and Tour Championship seven the new positive cases. announced for the two remaining he believes the Champions League the safe resumption of Asian shotsshots offoff JohnsonJohnson Another PSG player, midfielder Ander Herrera, is also pools or the knockout stages for can restart safely. football.” John also played down (pictured)(pictured). known to have been in Ibiza. the Eastern clubs. “We have engaged with our concerns over the introduction of PSG are due to play their first game of the new Ligue Only two rounds of games medical experts to establish VAR, which is due to be used from 1 season away at Lens next Thursday, September 10, but were possible before the several guidelines taking reference the quarter-finals of this year’s there are increasing doubts as to whether that match will shutdown, and teams from China the industry’s best practices to Champions League for the first now go ahead. have played no matches at all. But minimise the risks,” he said. time. The Lens game was initially due to go ahead last Sat- Asian Football Confederation When asked separately about Video assistant referees have urday, but was controversially postponed to give the PSG general secretary Windsor John a Japanese report claiming the AFC been used in competitions squad a break after their run to the Champions League said everything will be completed had asked for a further post- worldwide from the Premier League final in Lisbon on August 23, in which they lost 1-0 to before the year’s end. ponement, an official reiterated to the 2018 World Cup, but their Bayern Munich. That was despite PSG -- by far France’s “We remain committed and that the governing body was “con- decisions have often sparked richest club -- having played just five competitive games confident of completing the com- fident” of finishing the tournament controversy. in the preceding six months. petition within the 2020 calendar this year. John said VAR had already Instead of playing the game, their squad were granted year,” he said. A bio-secure “bubble” has been been used in Asian tournaments, time off but the club has now been left to deal with a John said more details on East put in place for the resumption of including the 2019 Asian Cup, cluster of coronavirus cases which raise questions about Zone matches would be matches in Qatar, similar to one and that officials had been why the French league decided to postpone PSG’s match announced after an AFC executive implemented for the UEFA Cham- trained to use the in Lens, only for so many of their players to travel abroad meeting next week. The competi- pions League. technology. on holiday during a pandemic. tion’s single-leg final is scheduled Under the arrangement in “The AFC has a proven PSG are also due to entertain bitter rivals Marseille for December 5. Lisbon, players and officials were track record in the on September 13, three days after the new date for the The pandemic continues to subject to strict rules. These implementation of the Lens match. spread worldwide and several included having to undergo virus VAR system,” he said. Italian GP: Hamilton fastest ahead of Bottas in 2nd practice

AP – MONZA from 19th in P1 to 12th, and Charles Mercedes’ Lewis health workers invited to attend in Leclerc moved from 11th to ninth, but Hamilton during recognition of their efforts during the Mercedes again topped the leader- both were more than a second slower practice ahead of coronavirus pandemic. board as Lewis Hamilton posted the than Hamilton. the Formula One On Friday, FIA President Jean Todt fastest time ahead of teammate Both Ferrari drivers ran off track Italian Grand Prix and Francesco Rocca, president of the Valtteri Bottas in second practice and Leclerc was heard saying over at the Autodromo International Federation of Red Cross yesterday for the Italian Grand Prix. team radio, “The car is so hard to Nazionale Monza, and Red Crescent Societies, visited The championship leader finished drive.” Hamilton has won five of the in Monza, Italy, nearby Bergamo to pay tribute to the .262 ahead of Bottas, who was seven races and is 47 points ahead of yesterday. work carried out worldwide against quickest in first practice. McLaren Red Bull rival Max Verstappen and 50 COVID-19. Bergamo is one of the driver Lando Norris was third, .897 ahead of Bottas. Italian cities hardest hit by the slower than Hamilton. Verstappen was fifth in the second coronavirus. “The car didn’t feel great in the session, 1.036 slower than Hamilton. “Bergamo is a symbol, in Italy and first session but in the afternoon, it He finished in the same position in in the world, for the spirit with which felt like we made some encouraging first practice after spinning at the doctors, nurses, hospital and Red improvements and it was much Ascari chicane, sidelining him for 25 Cross personnel have worked and are better,” Hamilton said. “We have a few minutes as his car was repaired. working in these difficult times,” said more steps to make overnight and “Not a good day struggling with Angelo Sticchi Damiani, president of then I think it’ll be where it needs to. grip and balance in general,” Ver- the Automobile Club of Italy. “The field is typically a lot closer stappen said. “So quite a bit of work It was the fourth consecutive time “It’s going to be interesting in qual- “This is why ACI has decided to here, compared to Spa, as it’s such a to do.” Earlier, Bottas posted the that Bottas has been quickest in the ifying ... I think the last corner will be invite 250 of them to attend the fast lap and there aren’t many corners. fastest time in first practice. The first practice session but he has only a bit of a nightmare with everyone Italian Grand Prix in Monza, so that Valtteri’s quick here, too, so it’s going Finnish driver’s best lap was .245 won one race. trying to get a gap, so it’s going to be institutions, ACI, FIA, drivers, teams to be a fun battle.” Ferrari improved seconds quicker than Hamilton and A third and final practice takes hard work,” Hamilton said. and fans all over the world can give slightly in the second session at its .797 ahead of Red Bull driver Alex- place Saturday ahead of qualifying in There will be a smattering of spec- them the thanks and applause they home track. Sebastian Vettel went ander Albon. the afternoon. tators at Monza on Sunday with 250 deserve.”