SPORTS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2014

African asylum seekers in Sicily dream of soccer glory

MINEO: Like many young men in Italy, the soccer his teammates, Musa declined to give his full name Italy’s first black government minister, Cecile Sicily was badly overcrowded last year. A video players who put on their cleats for an afternoon for fear of reprisals against family members back Kyenge, has tried to introduce a law allowing anyone showing migrants standing naked in the cold while match in this small Sicilian town dream of interna- home as he seeks political asylum. born on Italian soil to become a citizen. She herself being sprayed for scabies stirred outrage and tional stardom on the field. But for this group, having In this country of soccer fanatics, ASD Mineo has has been a target of racists - likened to an orangutan prompted authorities to transfer them out in made it this far is already an achievement. become a test of racial integration. Though many and pelted with bananas in public. December. Many of the migrants ended up in the Each member of the 25-man amateur squad ASD Sicilians criticise local, national and European authori- “Immigration is a terrible battleground for politi- Mineo asylum centre, which sits in an isolated val- Mineo is African. They risked their lives to cross the ties for failing to provide enough resources to cope cians,” says Maurizio Ambrosini, sociologist at the ley southwest of the smouldering, snow-capped sea from Libya in overcrowded boats last year, a jour- with the influx of immigrants, ASD Mineo has not suf- University of Milan. “But soccer can be a very effec- Mount Etna volcano. Some 4,000 migrants from 40 ney that killed hundreds of others in shipwrecks, in fered public resentment. tive tool in the fight against racism.” nations occupy about 400 two-floor villas that once the hope of finding political asylum. Their team — That’s not always the case at the national level, housed U.S. Navy personnel who worked at the the first of its kind in Italy — was created and funded where racism has been a constant problem in foot- GATEWAY TO EUROPE nearby Sigonella NATO air base. There has been by the managers of the Mineo centre for asylum ball. Though top-flight teams include black and Sicily, an island that on a map looks like a ball occasional trouble: in October, residents of the seekers, one of Europe’s largest such shelters. Muslim players, stadiums often echo with monkey about to be kicked by the Italian “boot”, has been shelter blocked the two-lane highway that runs ASD Mineo, as the team is called, is registered in chants. One of Italy’s best footballers, Mario Balotelli, used as a stepping stone to the European mainland next to the centre, threw rocks at police and the lowest category of Italy’s official football pyramid, a Sicilian-born son of Ghanaian immigrants who for millennia by, among others, Phoenicians, Greeks destroyed cars to call for faster asylum and tempo- which groups 600 divisions and in which, in theory, plays forward for AC Milan and Italy’s national team, and Arabs. Today it is a gateway for migrants and rary permit procedures. Many of the shelter’s resi- any team can rise to the top of the league, or Serie A. has sometimes been on the receiving end. asylum seekers from as far away as India, Pakistan dents had been waiting up to two years for docu- The team is on track to advance to the next division Some argue that the problem is made worse by and the Syrian civil war. Most migrants come from ments needed to leave the camp and find work. in its first season. immigration rules which make it difficult for those Northern and sub-Saharan Africa. Italy has strug- Several of ASD Mineo’s soccer players have been “We can make it all the way to Serie A,” 19-year-old whose families come from abroad to be accepted as gled to provide basic services to the 40,000 new waiting 10 months, though Italian guidelines say it Musa from Gambia said after defeating another — Italians. Balotelli, for example, was not able to gain arrivals last year amid its worst recession since should take between 45 days and six months to get all-white — local team 4-0 on a recent Sunday. Like citizenship until he was 18. World War Two. The asylum centre in Lampedusa, through the asylum-request process.—Reuters Anichebe equalizer frustrates Chelsea

West Brom 1

Chelsea 1

WEST BROMWICH: Substitute Victor Anichebe struck a dramatic late equalizer yesterday to earn LONDON: Hull City’s Shane Long (left) jumps for the ball against Southampton’s West Bromwich Albion a 1-1 draw as Chelsea were Morgan Schneiderlin during their English soccer match. — AP forced to settle for a lead of two points, not four, at the top of the Premier League. Saints go marching on Jose Mourinho’s team were far from being in the fluent and formidable form which has characterised their recent ascent to the summit, however once with victory over Hull they led via Branislav Ivanovic’s goal in first-half added time at The Hawthorns they had looked on course for victory. at a cost as McShane-who had crashed into Yet Anichebe, on the pitch 14 minutes as a Harper in trying to clear the ball-had to be replacement for Morgan Amalfitano, had other Hull 0 ideas, with the Nigeria striker heading home in the stretchered off and replaced by George Boyd. LONDON: West Brom’s Gareth McAuley (left) competes for the ball with Chelsea’s Fernando Boyd should have put the hosts ahead 87th minute to secure a precious point which lifted Torres during the English Premier League soccer match. — AP against the run of play after Republic of Ireland the Baggies out of the bottom three. The result international striker Shane Long’s header came gave both Arsenal and City, who each to threaten when Samuel Eto’o’s cutback from the to Chris Brunt by Thievy, yet the Northern Ireland Southampton 1 back off the post but he could only miscue the play on Wednesday, the chance to claim top spot. byline almost found the onrushing Ivanovic, with a international dragged his shot wide. rebound and minutes later sent a header wide. West Brom, meanwhile, will take confidence combination of Gareth McAuley and Claudio Yacob Chelsea always looked the more likely to score Having got away twice Saints came back at from their third successive draw at home under doing just enough to avert the danger. and the home side survived an anxious moment Hull with Lambert turning creator this time new head coach Pepe Mel ahead of a meeting with Mel had previously claimed victory over when Gareth McAuley sliced a Blues cross over his LONDON: Southampton extended their unbeat- releasing Jay Rodriguez-their leading scorer in fellow relegation battlers Fulham on Saturday week. Mourinho when his Real Betis team pulled off a own crossbar. en run to six matches yesterday with a 1-0 win the Premier League with 10 goals-whose excel- They have, though, still won just once in 16 shock 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in November However, their resistance was finally deep into over Hull in their English Premier League clash. A lent effort from long range was only denied by league matches. New arrival Thievy Bifouma, on 2012. His tactics appeared to be working against the two minutes of added time when Willian’s cor- 69th-minute goal by Jose Fonte was enough to the bar with Harper well beaten. loan from Espanyol, was handed a first Baggies the Portuguese again and, with space squeezed in ner was flicked on by David Luiz and the unmarked give the visitors the points and leave Hull’s Steve The match was riveting no holds barred start, yet the major piece of team news surrounded the Blues’ final third, a Willian long-range effort Ivanovic swept home from close range. Bruce to wait a little longer for his 100th win in action as both sides threw caution to the wind. It the inclusion by Chelsea manager Mourinho’s deci- which flashed past the right-angle was as close as West Brom were out early for the second half, the Premier League as a manager. was Hull who went close next as Long’s strike sion to field Ramires, who replaced Frank Lampard. they came in the first half. yet Chelsea made the more purposeful start upon Victory saw Mauricio Pochettino’s attractive partner Croatian international Nikica Jelavic, The Brazil international was roundly booed by The hosts looked a side transformed to the one resumption with Eto’o’s fierce strike repelled by Ben and talented side move above Newcastle-who who had scored his first goal for his new club in the home crowd in what was the sides’ first meeting who toiled in the weekend defeat at Crystal Palace Foster.Fernando Torres was introduced for Eto’o as host Spurs on Wednesday-and to within two the win over Sunderland on Saturday, got free since he controversially won a penalty which which saw them fall into the bottom three. Mourinho looked to finish off the game, yet Chelsea points of seventh-placed Manchester United, but his shot was tame and no danger to Artur earned the Blues an injury-time equaliser in Pivotal to that change were rookie forward duo were given a scare late on when Thievy and Brunt who are away at Arsenal today. Defeat halted Boruc.Southampton were the livelier side after November. Despite their vastly contrasting recent Thievy, 21, and Saido Berahino, 20, whose trickery both wasted openings. Hull’s mini-revival and leaves them four points the break with Rodriguez always a threat as was form, it was a surprisingly even start to proceedings and tireless chasing made them a handful for the And, just as it appeared the home side had run above the relegation zone. Southampton domi- Lambert, with both having shots saved by with Mel’s renowned pressing game frustrating the Blues back four. out of opportunities, Anichebe struck with a fine nated the early stages of the game, Rickie Harper. visitors. The pair contributed to the Baggies’ best oppor- glancing header which crept in off the right post Lambert, who has eight goals to his name this The Saints finally broke the deadlock with It took Mourinho’s team until the 22nd minute tunity of the half when Berahino’s cross was laid off from Berahino’s teasing cross. — AFP season, going close in the third minute as he just over 20 minutes remaining, but it was no curled a shot inches wide from Adam Lallana’s thing of beauty. Hull failed to clear the ball first cross. Lambert was in again on goal soon after- from Fonte’s header, then Rodriguez seized on wards this time trying to chip the ball over goal- the ball but his shot was blocked, Fonte had and Villa in drab draw keeper Steve Harper, but the former Newcastle another go and then when it appeared it had Matches on TV netminder did enough with defender Paul not gone over the line Lambert made sure there (Local Timings) McShane to clear the danger. However, it came was no debate by forcing it over. — AFP Cardiff 0 EPL results/standings Italian Cup ‘Super sub’ Diame sinks Norwich Cardiff City 0 Aston Villa 0; Hull City 0 Napoli v AS Roma 22:45 Southampton 1 (Fonte 69); West Bromwich Albion beinsports 1 (Anichebe 87) Chelsea 1 (Ivanovic 45+3); West half-time, bringing on Marco Borriello for Carlton Spain Copa del Rey Aston Villa 0 Cole in a bid to give his side some extra Ham United 2 (Collins 84, Diame 90+4) Norwich Thursday 13 Feb 2014 West Ham 2 dynamism up front. City 0. The Canaries continued to press but couldn’t Sociedad v Barcelona 0:00 find a way past Adrian, the keeper denying beinsports English Premier League table after yesterday’s English Premier League Hooper for the second time in the match after CARDIFF: Cardiff City remain rooted in the Premier matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals the striker was put clean through by Snodgrass. Arsenal v Man United 22:45 League relegation zone after failing to make Norwich 0 against, points): As the match became an end-to-end contest, beinsports ground on the teams above them in a 0-0 draw Ruddy saved with his legs to deny Diame after Stoke v Swansea 22:45 with Aston Villa yesterday. the substitute was played in by Kevin Nolan beinsports Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side would have been in Chelsea 26 17 6 3 48 21 57 before Norwich’s Joseph Yobo lifted the ball over LONDON: Mohamed Diame proved himself the Everton v C Palace 22:45 the bottom three on goal difference alone had Arsenal 25 17 4 4 48 26 55 from a corner. Norwich’s pressure was made to textbook ‘super sub’ making one goal and scor- beinsports they prevailed at the , but Man City 25 17 3 5 68 27 54 ing the other as West Ham beat Norwich City 2-0 count for nothing when the deadlock was finally despite twice hitting the woodwork, they had to broken by Collins, six minutes from time. Man City v Sunderland 22:45 Liverpool 25 15 5 5 63 30 50 at Upton Park yesterday to bolster their hopes of beinsports settle for a draw. Villa might have snatched victory Premier League survival. Diame was allowed to cross from the left at the death, but Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall Spurs 25 14 5 6 32 32 47 unchallenged and central defender Collins then Newcastle v Tottenham 22:45 Norwich had the lion’s share of chances but displayed stunning reactions to thwart visiting Everton 25 12 9 4 37 26 45 the visitors couldn’t find a way past Hammers beat Ruddy to the ball before heading home. beinsports A desperate Norwich, chasing a late equaliser, substitute Andreas Weimann in injury time. Man Utd 25 12 5 8 41 31 41 goalkeeper Adrian. And West Ham, who’ve now Fulham v Liverpool 23:00 The point left Cardiff second from bottom, two left gaps at the back. And when they saw a cor- Southampton 26 10 9 7 37 29 39 won three straight games without conceding a beinsports points from safety, while ’s Villa goal, made them pay with two late goals. ner cleared by the Hammers, Diame was left with the length of the field to run. —AFP climbed one place to 11th. Cardiff were without Newcastle 25 11 4 10 32 34 37 Senegal Diame, who replaced talisman Craig Bellamy, banned earlier in the day West Ham 26 7 7 12 28 33 28 Matthew Jarvis on the hour, created the opening for three games after clashing with Jonathan de goal for James Collins in the 84th minute and Aston Villa 26 7 7 12 27 36 28 Guzman in the weekend loss to Swansea City, but then scored deep into stoppage time himself to Swansea 25 7 6 12 32 35 27 they took the game to Villa regardless. secure all three points for the Hammers. Hull 26 7 6 13 25 31 27 Victory took the east London club into 10th Indeed, after Fabian Delph had dragged an early place in the table and four points clear of the rel- shot wide of the Cardiff goal, the hosts largely Stoke 25 6 8 11 26 40 26 egation zone, with Norwich now a solitary point dominated the first half, notably hitting the frame Crystal Palace 25 8 2 15 18 34 26 above the bottom three. of the goal twice in the 14th minute. First, Wilfried Norwich 26 6 7 13 19 39 25 ’s side came into the game on Zaha freed Fraizer Campbell for a shot that Villa the back of 1-0 win away to Aston Villa, while goalkeeper Brad Guzan diverted onto the post and West Brom 26 4 1 2 10 30 38 24 Chris Hughton’s Canaries had held title chal- when the ball came out to Craig Noone, he saw a Sunderland 25 6 6 13 25 38 24 lengers Manchester City to a goalless draw. deflected effort come back off the crossbar. Cardiff 26 5 7 14 19 4422 Nathan Redmond, whose pace caused the Cardiff lost Jordon Mutch to an apparent ham- Fulham 25 6 2 17 24 55 20 Hammers’ defence problems, went clear down string injury just beyond the half hour, with the left and from his cross Gary Hooper saw a Magnus Wolff Eikrem coming on, but the home flicked header destined for the bottom corner side continued to push, with Zaha denied a goal by pushed away by the diving Adrian. Robert Albrighton and Delph. Snodgrass then went close, getting in behind the an offside flag after volleying home. Leandro Bacuna gave Cardiff a big scare when Agbonlahor saw the whites of Marshall’s eyes back four, only to hesitate before shooting, with from a Christian Benteke flick in the 82nd minute, Adrian getting a strong hand to the ball. he shot narrowly wide following a one-two with West Ham struggled to get anywhere near Gabriel Agbonlahor, but should but he took too long to size up his options and the Norwich penalty area, with try- have put the hosts ahead moments later when he Theophile-Catherine darted in to dispossess him. ing a speculative shot from 25 yards out that headed straight at Guzan from a Kevin Theophile- Weimann came even closer in the first minute of went straight to England goalkeeper John Catherine cross. stoppage time, but after poking out his foot to Ruddy. Adrian then produced his third good save LONDON: West Ham United’s goalkeeper Adrian (right) stops a goal attempt shot from Villa introduced Weimann with just over 20 min- connect with Benteke’s pass, he saw Marshall pro- of the half, turning away Alex Tettey’s shot from Norwich City’s Robert Snodgrass during their English Premier League soccer match at utes to play and the visitors began to look increas- duce a breath-taking reflex stop to tip the ball over the penalty spot. Allardyce made a change at Upton Park. — AP ingly dangerous, with Marshall saving from Marc the bar. — AFP