THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016 SPORTS Atletico edge out PSV in penalty thriller

MADRID: Juanfran’s winning penalty ter-finals in the penalties, so there is also sent Atletico Madrid into the Champions great disappointment.” Despite being League quarter-finals on Tuesday, clinch- roared on by a full house at the Vicente ing an agonizing 8-7 penalty shoot-out Calderon, Atletico struggled early on as win over PSV Eindhoven after neither Cocu’s 5-3-2 set-up allowed PSV to domi- side could manage a goal in 210 minutes nate midfield. across the two legs of the tie. The first 14 However, Atletico did enjoy the best spot-kicks of the shootout were then chance of the first-half when Koke’s low converted in clinical fashion before PSV’s cross found Antoine Griezmann Luciano Narsingh smashed his effort unmarked just six yards out, but Jeroen against the bar. Zoet got down to deny the French inter- Juanfran then stepped up to convert national his 24th goal of the season. PSV the winning penalty and send Atletico had captain and top scorer into the last eight for the third consecu- back after he missed the first-leg tive year. “It was a heart-stopping tie,” through suspension and the former said Juanfran. “I am very happy to see Newcastle United striker was a constant how the crowd got behind the side. We menace to the usually unflappable believe, our coach makes us believe and Diego Godin. De Jong was unlucky we have a lot of hunger and heart.” It is when the ball fell just behind him after the second consecutive season that Oblak cut out dangerous cross from the Diego Simeone’s men have progressed right. to the quarter-finals on penalties after Atletico settled into their stride at the seeing off Bayer Leverkusen in similar start of the second-half, but still relied fashion a year ago. “It was a classic Cup on a set-piece to carve out an opportu- tie with plenty of tension,” said Simeone. nity as Jose Maria Gimenez rose highest “Neither team committed any errors and at the back post only to head Koke’s cor- in the end penalties went our way.” ner inches wide. As the hosts opened up, PSV were left to lament Jan Oblak’s though, PSV became even more of a brilliant save to tip Jurgen Locadia’s threat on the counter-attack. The visitors effort onto the post in the second-half of were somehow denied the vital away normal time as the Dutch champions goal on the hour mark when Locadia’s came so close to causing a huge upset. shot was brilliantly tipped onto the post “There are mixed emotions,” said PSV by Oblak and De Jong’s follow-up head- MADRID: PSV Eindhoven’s goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet misses a save during the UEFA Champions League last sixteen second coach . “On the one hand I er from point-black range was blocked leg football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs PSV Eindhoven at the Vicente Calderon stadium on March 15, 2016. —AFP am very proud. We played well in the on the line by Filipe Luis. year-old Lucas Hernandez. However, the ner. Griezmann’s range was off again extra time. Yet, it was PSV who came two games, but especially here. Atletico suffered a huge blow just young Frenchman had a great chance when he shot straight at Zoet after closest after the break, but Andres Tactically we played very well with a lot before the end of normal time when to make himself a hero early in extra great work by Saul Niguez as Atletico Guardado curled just wide to send the of discipline. “We were close to the quar- Godin limped off to be replaced by 20- time when he headed over from a cor- dominated during the first period of game to penalties.— AFP Pellegrini banks on Man City experience

MANCHESTER: Manuel Pellegrini backed his Nicolas Otamendi, both of whom were forced Manchester City team to make a mark on the off in the first 23 minutes. Pellegrini Champions League’s latter stages after they expressed hope that Otamendi will shake off overcame Dynamo Kiev to reach the quarter- his knock within “the next couple of days”, finals for the first time. City fell to Barcelona in raising the possibility that he could be fit for the last 16 in both of the past two seasons, Sunday’s derby at home to Manchester but they will take their place in Friday’s draw United. But Kompany, who will undergo tests for the last eight after Tuesday’s drab 0-0 yesterday, is facing at least a month on the stalemate completed a 3-1 aggregate suc- sidelines-and may therefore struggle to cess. City’s shaky domestic form suggests that return before the end of the season-after sus- they cannot be considered serious con- taining his 14th calf injury since 2008. tenders for the Champions League, but hav- ing seen them top their group above last sea- Beware Barcelona son’s beaten finalists Juventus before routine- While City have flattered to deceive ly eliminating Dynamo, Pellegrini is hopeful domestically this season, slipping 12 points that more historic moments lie ahead. off the pace in the , right-back “I think that as a team when you have a Pablo Zabaleta said that their European new achievement, it’s always important for breakthrough was a moment to savour. “It your trust (confidence),” he told reporters at was really satisfying to make history for this the Etihad Stadium. “This season we had a club,” said the Argentina international, who A combination of file pictures shows then (left to right) general-secretary of the Confederation of North, Central American andCaribbean very difficult group also, with Sevilla, with has played a part in all of City’s five (CONCACAF) Chuck Blazer, CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb and FIFA Vice President and CONCACAF President Jack Juventus and with Borussia Champions League campaigns to date. “We Warner in Barcelona. —AFP Moenchengladbach. “We won the group, so I are through to the quarter-finals for the first think this season, I don’t know if the word is time. This group of players are working hard better prepared, but we have more experi- every day to make this club even bigger.” Global soccer body admits ence to arrive at this stage and I hope we can City came closest to scoring when Jesus continue further.” He added: “I’m very happy Navas rattled the post midway through the for the achievement because it’s important second half, but Dynamo might have claimed for this club to continue improving every the spoils on the night in the latter stages, ‘World Cup hosting bribes’ season. I always said that the last two sea- only for City goalkeeper Joe Hart to save sons we are very unlucky to have the draw in smartly from Vitaliy Buyalskiy and then the round of 16. Olexandr Yakovenko. “We had chances to FIFA makes huge damages claim against ‘sordid’ officials “We were unlucky to play against score and Manchester had chances to score,” Barcelona. This season we won the group and said Dynamo coach Sergiy Rebrov. GENEVA: While acknowledging for the first time Most of the already seized money - $151.7 and now lives at his home near Atlanta, Georgia, we now are (among) the best eight teams in “The guys showed they deserved to be in that votes were bought in past World Cup host- million - will come from Brazilian marketing exec- awaiting sentence in June. Europe for the moment. We will see how far the Champions League. This game was a ing contests, FIFA is seeking to claim “tens of mil- utive Jose Hawilla, whose group of agencies were “These dollars were meant to build football we can go in this competition.” The bad news good experience for our guys. “I think we lions of dollars” in bribe money seized by US fed- heavily involved with matches CONCACAF and fields, not mansions and pools; to buy football for City came in the form of injuries to captain should say thank you to our guys and look to eral prosecutors. FIFA submitted a 22-page claim CONMEBOL controlled but not FIFA directly. In an kits, not jewelry and cars; and to fund youth play- Vincent Kompany and his fellow centre-back the future with optimism.— AFP to the US Attorney’s Office in New York on initial claim for $28.2 million, FIFA specifies an er and coach development, not to underwrite Tuesday that seeks a big share in restitution from amount for each of 20 men from the Americas lavish lifestyles for football and sports marketing more than $190 million already forfeited by soc- over many years that it says it should be repaid executives,” Infantino said. It is unclear how much cer and marketing officials who pleaded guilty in from money held by US authorities. FIFA wants influence Infantino, a former lawyer, had had in the sprawling corruption case. more than $5.3 million it spent on Chuck Blazer, the restitution claim since he was elected only Tens of millions of dollars more is likely to be the disgraced American official who has pleaded three weeks ago, with strong support from voters collected by US authorities when sentences are guilty, allocates $4.4 million of its claim for for- in the Americas. Infantino’s signature pitch to handed down, and from dozens of officials cur- mer FIFA vice president Jack Warner, and $3.5 voters on election day was about finances, saying rently indicted but who have denied bribery million for Ricardo Teixeira, Havelange’s former bluntly “It’s your money.” charges or are fighting extradition. FIFA claims it son-in-law form Brazil. That resonated with members of CONMEBOL is the victim of corrupt individuals, despite wide- Warner, a long-time powerbroker from and CONCACAF, who have had a combined $20 spread criticism that bribe-taking was embedded Trinidad and Tobago until resigning in a 2011 million central funding frozen by FIFA. CONCA- in its culture in the presidencies of Joao election bribery scandal, is identified by FIFA in CAF, based in Miami, has had its past three presi- Havelange and Sepp Blatter, who was forced its 22-page claim for receiving a $1 million bribe dents implicated in the US case. But it has passed from office after 17 years by the current scandal. from 1998 World Cup bid candidate Morocco, wide-ranging reforms to clean up its operations, “The convicted defendants abused the posi- and ensuring the $10 million bribe from South and has targeted restitution money to rebuild. tions of trust they held at FIFA and other interna- Africa was paid via a FIFA account in 2008. FIFA “CONCACAF views itself as a victim of a number tional football organizations and caused serious claims a further $2 million for payments to of the offenses described in the indictments and and lasting damage to FIFA,” FIFA President Jeffrey Webb, the Cayman Islands banker who intends to seek restitution at the appropriate Gianni Infantino said Wednesday in a statement. was arrested at a luxury Zurich hotel last May, time,” the regional body said in a statement.—AP “The monies they pocketed belonged to global football and were meant for the development and promotion of the game. FIFA as the world MANCHESTER: Manchester City’s Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini (left) consoles governing body of football wants that money Harry Redknapp to juggle Derby Manchester City’s Belgian defender Vincent Kompany as he leaves the pitch injured back and we are determined to get it no matter during a UEFA Champions League last 16, second leg football match between how long it takes.” role with two-match Jordan gig Manchester City and Dynamo Kiev on March 15, 2016. — AFP In documents seen by The , FIFA asks for: $28.2 million for years of payments, : Former Tottenham Hotspur manag- after Saturday’s local derby at home to including bonuses, flights and daily expenses, to er Harry Redknapp has accepted an advisory Nottingham Forest. “It’s going to be a tough officials it now says are corrupt; $10 million for role with Derby County until the end of the couple of weeks, that’s for sure,” he told the FIFA suspect keeps up the “theft” of money that FIFA officials transferred season, having already agreed to manage Sun newspaper. “I’m friends with Prince Ali as bribes to then-executive committee members Jordan for two matches, the English and wanted him to take over from Sepp champagne lifestyle to vote for South Africa as 2010 World Cup host; Championship side said yesterday. The 69- Blatter (at FIFA). He asked me if I’d manage the “Substantial” cost of legal bills since separate US year-old Redknapp will combine his mentor- team for a couple of matches and I agreed. “I’ll NEW YORK: Jeffrey Webb, the disgraced for- Yesterday, FIFA’s American lawyers com- and Swiss federal probes of corruption in interna- ing role at second-tier Midlands club Derby go to the Forest game and then go straight to mer FIFA vice president, has kept up a million- plained in a letter to the US attorney’s office tional soccer were revealed last May; Damages with managing Jordan in this month’s World London and fly to Jordan. It’s a busy time but aire lifestyle quaffing champagne, gambling that Webb enjoys an “extravagant lifestyle” at for harm to its reputation, plus other bribes and Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and I’ve missed the buzz of being involved in foot- and partying while under US house arrest a home he may have purchased “with bribes kickbacks for media rights to non FIFA competi- Australia. ball.” awaiting sentence for corruption, according and kickbacks.” “According to reports, he tions but “which were made possible because of “It is excellent news that Harry has agreed Derby are fifth in the standings, seven to football’s world body. The 51-year-old hus- recently hosted an expensive themed birth- the value of the FIFA brand.” to join us. His experience spans over several points behind Brighton & Hove Albion who band of American gynecologist Kendra day party for his wife, replete with entertain- “FIFA has become notable for the defendants’ decades and he is one of the most knowl- occupy the second automatic promotion spot Gamble-Webb was the first former FIFA offi- ment and gambling tables,” the Washington bribery and corruption, not its many good edgeable and informed figures in the game,” behind leaders Burnley. Jordan, currently led cial to appear publicly in a New York court last DC law firm wrote, enclosing a Cayman works,” lawyers for soccer’s world body state in Derby Chairman Mel Morris told the club’s by caretaker manager Abdullah Abu Zema, the claim. “FIFA is entitled to restitution for this July and quietly cut a plea deal four months Islands media report. The story published by website (www.dcfc.co.uk). Redknapp was play Bangladesh in Amman on March 24 and harm to its business relationships, reputation and later. the Cayman News Service said Webb enjoyed quoted by British media earlier on Wednesday the Socceroos in Sydney five days later. The intangible property.” FIFA’s grab for a share of the The Cayman Islands-British citizen pled a “lavish” Harlem Renaissance themed party saying he had agreed to help out Jordan’s Jordanians trail Australia by two points in money sets up a battle with two of its regional national team at the behest of their FA chief Group B in the second round of Asian qualify- guilty to racketeering, conspiracy, wire fraud “at his Georgia mansion” to celebrate his confederations - CONMEBOL, the South and money laundering. He promised to for- wife’s 40th birthday, attended by friends and American confederation, and CONCACAF, the Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, who lost the FIFA ing for the 2018 World Cup with the top two feit more than $6.7 million in assets and is to family. body running soccer in North America. It was presidential election to Swiss Gianni Infantino from each group going through to the third be formally sentenced in June. Last July he The report, dated February 8, included officials and competitions from those regions last month. round, when four berths in Russia will be at was confined to house arrest in New York on a photos purportedly of Webb dressed in a that were most involved in the corruption crisis. Redknapp, who has also managed stake. Redknapp’s fellow former QPR manager $10 million bond. But within weeks Webb was white dinner jacket and bow tie playing a It also signals a change in strategy for FIFA, after Bournemouth, West Ham United, Portsmouth, Ray Wilkins last year led Jordan to the Asian allowed to move home to Loganville, Georgia, winning hand at a blackjack table with a huge months of senior officials distancing Zurich from Southampton and Park Rangers, said Cup in Australia, where they were eliminated albeit subject to electronic monitoring, home grin on his face, and giving a speech next to a the scandal, instead blaming confederations he would leave Britain for the Middle East in the group stage.— Reuters detention and a security detail. cake. —AFP which are beyond its control.