SPORTS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016

Banished Barton sorry for Rangers row

GLASGOW: Colorful Rangers midfielder Thursday, Barton-who has a history of misde- Nevertheless, some of the words used did overstep has apologized unreservedly after being banished meanours and was once jailed-said he was sorry for the mark. “As someone who communicates directly, from the club’s training ground the comments, but insisted he only made them I accept that some of the things I said were inappro- for what he called “inappropriate” comments. because he cares about the club. priate and for that I apologise unreservedly. “I can- Barton’s future with the giants was thrown “Obviously after (the) game on Saturday not, however, apologise for caring deeply about into doubt after he was sent home on Tuesday follow- everybody was hurting and in training on Tuesday winning and for wanting to perform better myself ing a reported row with team-mate Andy Halliday. there was a full and frank discussion about the and for Rangers to do much better.” Rangers manager told Barton result and reasons for our loss,” Barton wrote. “I, like Barton confirmed he had been told to stay away not to return until Monday and the 34-year-old will everyone else, care deeply about the task at hand, until next week and added: “Whilst I don’t feel that miss Saturday’s Premiership contest with Ross which is to restore Rangers Football Club to the top this was necessary I fully respect the manager’s deci- County at Ibrox. The incident occurred days after of Scottish football. “The discussion we had sion. “I regret what happened and on Monday I will Rangers suffered a painful 5-1 thrashing against bit- involved some sharp disagreement about the game report for training and I will do what it takes to help ter rivals Celtic in the first league Old Firm derby for and some harsh words were said. There were only the team draw a line under it so that we can get back four years. In a statement posted on Twitter late on words involved in the disagreement, nothing else. to the task at hand.” —AFP

No hard feelings over City dumping says Hart TURIN: Torino and England goalkeeper Joe Hart said yester- day he has no hard feelings towards Pep Guardiola despite being unceremoniously forced out at Manchester City and replaced by Claudio Bravo from Barcelona. Hart, who joined City as a teenager in 2006, signed for the unfashionable Serie A club on a season-long loan deal designed to make sure he is “playing regular football again”. Hart began his Serie A career with a 2-1 defeat away at Atalanta last weekend-he was at fault for one of the goals-a far cry from the razzmatazz of the world-famous Premier League. But the 29-year-old shot-stopper, who suffered huge criticism for the 2-1 defeat to Iceland that sent England crash- ing out of Euro 2016, said he felt no bitterness towards new City boss Guardiola. “It was fairly obvious to everyone,” Hart told media when asked about the circumstances surrounding his high-profile divorce from City. Asked if Guardiola had been honest with him, Hart said: “He was open with me.” He added: “Football’s football... and it resulted in me look- ing for a new club and, as I said, I’m very happy to be where I am at the moment. “I absolutely love to play football and it looked like my options were limited (at City). It was an easy decision for me. “I’m very thankful for the opportunity and I’m proud and happy to be here. I’m looking forward to hopefully having a good season.” Expected to return to the Etihad stadium at the end of the current campaign, Hart has fully embraced the Italian culture. He started his press conference at Torino’s Stadio Olimpico by speaking a few words of Italian. And although he has yet to receive any welcome messages from his opposite number at ATHENS: FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the vote for the new UEFA president. —AP city rivals Juventus, legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Hart said he wants to make the most of an experience “few English players” get the chance to have. “I was looking for an experience outside of English foot- Infantino to back dope ball,” added Hart. “Every day at City I trained with players from all over the world who’ve managed to make the move to England. So for me it was an amazing opportunity to experi- tainted Russia, Mutko ence a new style of football. “I feel confident I can come over here to learn the language and embrace the culture. “To get the opportunity to try a new league, which a lot of English ZURICH: FIFA President Gianni for competitions in the country. were made to disappear. players don’t get the chance to do, was too good an opportu- Infantino hit out yesterday at “It’s not my job to judge this Mutko, as well as being sports min- nity to turn down.” attempts to “undermine” the World report,” Infantino told the AP. “As ister, leads the country’s soccer feder- Cup in Russia, saying he will not president of football my concern has ation, and sits on FIFA’s ruling coun- Coy on City judge the country on the investiga- to be on football matters, has to be cil. He was banned by the IOC from Although happy to talk about Torino, Hart was more coy when asked about City. He said he did not watch the tion which documented a state-spon- on doping in football. “If there are attending the Rio de Janeiro Manchester derby last weekend, won by City, because “I was sored doping program that included elements on doping and football, Olympics last month based on training. I’m pretty limited to what I can watch in my hotel soccer. Infantino told The Associated then FIFA’s bodies will deal with that.” McLaren’s findings, but he retains room”. And, amid concerns his England place could now be at Press it is still “very good” working There appears no risk of Russia losing Infantino’s backing. “We have com- risk, Hart insisted his focus was only on improving his game. with Russian Sports Minister Vitaly the 2018 World Cup, with only nine mittees in place. Whatever evidence “Goalkeeping in football is ever-evolving. I’m very open-mind- Mutko, who has been accused of per- months until the doping-tainted Prof. McLaren has, he will send it to ed to improve and learn every day,” said Hart. sonally intervening to cover up a dop- nation hosts the Confederations Cup, the ethics committee of FIFA, and “I play football because I love football. Playing regular foot- ing case of at least one foreign foot- which serves as the warmup event. they will instruct or not a case,” ball is the most important thing for me. I love playing for my baller in the Russian Premier League. “We should see this as a chance Infantino said. “As long as this doesn’t country... but it’s an ambition of mine to play first-team foot- The details emerged in a report rather than trying to be negative,” happen I will certainly not participate ball. “My options at City were limited so I’m very grateful to be authored by Canadian lawyer Richard Infantino said. “We should see the in any speculation or any problems. “I here. I’m only on loan here and, technically, I’m supposed to McLaren, who was attending an World Cup in Russia as a chance for am working with the people who are go back to City. “But my focus is on playing for Torino. The ethics conference at FIFA HQ as FIFA but also for Russia to show itself there, who are legitimately elected ... (long-term) future will take care of itself but my future is here, Infantino conducted a 30-minute in a positive light as an organizer and he has been working in terms of the it’s on Sunday when we play Empoli.” Hart was one of several England players lambasted for their poor performance against interview with the AP. McLaren’s a welcoming country. “Let’s work in a organization of the world as far as I Iceland in France earlier this summer. But he said he is used to report cast doubt on Russia’s suitabili- positive sense in this direction rather can judge in an excellent way so far. the flak: “People say bad things about me every single day, ty to host sporting events, with the than trying to undermine this event.” So, for me and for us, it is certainly but football is about opinions and I don’t take things too per- International Olympic Committee McLaren also found that 11 positive very good to continue working with sonally.” —AFP temporarily withdrawing its backing doping cases of Russian footballers him.” —AP