WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2015 SPORTS

CONCACAF decide against selecting new president

MIAMI: CONCACAF, the crisis-hit gov- the United States. President be determined by a public added. Blazer was once CONCACAF general erning body for soccer in North and Cayman Islander Webb himself had election and the scrutiny that comes Burrell was banned for three months secretary and a former FIFA executive Central America and the Caribbean, come to power after the downfall of with it,” read the statement. by FIFA from taking part in any football- committee member. Officials from CON- whose acting president Alfredo Hawit long-term CONCACAF president Jack The organisation said their elected related activities for violations of FIFA’s CACAF member countries Guatemala, was arrested last week, have decided not Warner of Trinidid and Tobago who has leaders would “ in an advisory Ethics code at a meeting of the Panama and Honduras were part of the to appoint a new interim leader. also been indicted and faces extradition capacity” to CONCACAF’s acting general Caribbean Football Union in 2011. latest Department of Justice indictments Hawit was arrested in Zurich on to the United States, which he is fight- secretary, Ted Howard, and director-level That meeting formed part of the ‘cash announced last Thursday. Thursday and was indicted by the US ing. staff. “It is critical for the Confederation’s for votes’ scandal surrounding Qatari Twenty seven soccer officials are Department of Justice on corruption Miami-based CONCACAF announced future that the next President be elected Mohammed Bin Hammam’s bid to be under indictment in the United States charges as part of their investigation on Monday that they would not select by the full Congress, rather than statuto- FIFA president. Burrell has denied any over allegations they ran bribery into world governing body FIFA. The another interim president and would rily appointed,” Jamaican EXCO member wrongdoing. schemes totaling as much as $200 mil- Honduran had taken over the helm of instead leave their executive committee Horace Burrell said in the statement. The United States is a member of lion in the sale of television and market- CONCACAF following the May arrest of (Exco) to run their affairs until a congress “Under this leadership structure, CONCACAF and it was a longtime ing rights for soccer tournaments and previous president Jeffrey Webb, also on in Mexico City on May 12. CONCACAF can ensure there is sufficient American soccer , Chuck Blazer, matches. In addition, 12 people and two corruption charges, in Zurich before a “The CONCACAF Exco concluded time to publicly vet candidates while the who became an important cooperating sports marketing companies have been FIFA meeting. Webb has pleaded guilty that, in light of current events, it is criti- Confederation focuses on continued witness after secretly pleading guilty in convicted in the investigation by US to the charges after being extradited to cal that the Confederation’s next implementation of strong reforms,” he 2013 to criminal charges. prosecutors. — Reuters Berdych ready to step up

MANILA: Czech player Tomas Berdych said Meadows. yesterday he is ready to break the strangle- But he went furthest in Australia before hold of the elite who have taken the being beaten in an explosive semi-final lion’s share of the major men’s tournaments against , now the world’s sec- in the past decade. ond-ranked men’s player. Only Marin Cilic, the 2014 US Open win- The first of 2016 starts in ner, and Juan Martin del Potro at the same Melbourne on January 18. For most of his tournament in 2009, have broken the stran- professional career, Berdych has played in glehold of the current top five men’s play- the shadow of the now third-ranked Roger ers in the past 10 years. Berdych, ranked Federer, fifth-ranked Rafael Nadal and number six but at 30 surely nearing the , the world’s top player, who final years of his pro career, fell short at the together have won 41 Grand Slam titles. semi-finals of the 2015 , his Number four and num- best Grand Slam result this year. ber two Murray, who have three Grand “I am trying to get myself in the best Slam titles between them, are the other possible shape next year,” the 13-year veter- two players now ahead of Berdych in the an told reporters in Manila when asked if world rankings. he thought he would finally break his Retired former world number one Carlos Grand Slam duck. “My preparation, I think, Moya and former world number two Goran is going pretty well,” the hard court special- Ivanisevic however said that on current ist added. form it would be difficult to bet against the Berdych is in Manila this week for the world’s top four at the Australian Open. second leg of the International Premier “There are a few guys that I believe will Tennis League circuit, which began in step up next year,” Moya added, naming Japan last week and will also have stops younger players like Milos Raonic, Nick this month in India, Dubai and Singapore. Kyrgios and Grigor Dimitrov. However He reached a record-high ranking of Ivanisevic said it would take the young fourth in May during a year in which he got guns “another five years or six years” to married and also reached the fourth round break through. “I don’t see any surprises” at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Flushing for 2016, the Croat added. —AFP

LIVERPOOL: Everton’s Gerard Deulofeu, centre, controls the ball with Crystal Palace’s Yohan Cabaye and Pape N’Diaye Souare, left, during the English Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool, England, Monday.— AP Lukaku salvages 1-1 home draw with Palace

LIVERPOOL: Romelu Lukaku extended his red- have great character in the team.” Everton had hot streak as the Everton striker’s late equaliser scored 10 in their last two home league match- rescued a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on es, but if the watching Wayne Rooney was Monday. Lukaku has been in superb form over expecting another goal spree from his former Matches on TV the last month and Palace were unable to sub- club, the Manchester United captain was des- (Local Timings) due the Belgium international, who poked home tined to leave disappointed. from close-range with nine minutes remaining Instead he had to make do with appreciating UEFA Champions League at Goodison Park. the talents of the powerful Lukaku and his The former Chelsea star now has 50 goals in Everton team-mate Ross Barkley. 100 appearances for Everton since first joining In a low-key first half, Lukaku was unlucky not Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Barcelona 22:45 them on loan in 2013 before making what now to open the scoring when his shot beat Palace beIN SPORTS looks a bargain £28 million ($42 million, 38 mil- goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey but rebounded AS Roma v Bate Borisov 22:45 lion euros) permanent move a year later. off the inside of the far post and flew across the beIN SPORTS He has 14 goals in all competitions this sea- face of goal. Dinamo Zagreb v Bayern Munich 22:45 son, with seven of that total coming in his last six Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard’s legs came beIN SPORTS matches. Lukaku’s latest crucial intervention was to the rescue after the break to deny Yannick well-timed, coming just five minutes after Palace Bolasie on the breakaway. Olympiacos v Arsenal 22:45 defender Scott Dann had headed the visitors Then Dann’s blushes were spared only by the beIN SPORTS into the lead. crossbar as he almost headed Barkley’s in-swing- Dynamo Kyiv v Maccabi 22:45 Everton moved up to ninth place in the ing free-kick past Hennessey into his own net. beIN SPORTS Premier League in extending their unbeaten run Liverpool fan Dann thought he had complet- Chelsea v FC Porto 22:45 to seven matches in all competitions, while ed a memorable Merseyside double, having beIN SPORTS Palace climbed to the lofty heights of sixth. scored the winner at Anfield a month ago, when “I am proud but I’m a team performer, so I’m he headed in from a corner in the 76th minute. Valencia v Lyonnais 22:45 happy with the record but disappointed we did- But Lukaku had the final word with nine min- beIN SPORTS MANILA: The Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych of the UAE Royals hits a return against n’t get the three points,” Lukaku said of his goal utes to go when he converted Gerard Deulofeu’s KAA Gent v Zenit 22:45 Australia’s of the in the men’s singles event of the milestone. low cross with an outstretched boot from virtu- beIN SPORTS International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) competition in Manila on yesterday. — AFP “After their goal we reacted well, it shows we ally on the goalline. —AFP Neville handed chance to become instant Valencia hero

VALENCIA: Gary Neville will be handed a bap- at the start of the season. On top of the confi- tism of fire as Valencia boss when the Spanish dence gained for taking a from Barcelona, side host Lyon in the Champions League today morale amongst the Valencia camp should be hoping to seal their place in the last 16. The boosted by the return of a number of key play- match will be Neville’s first as a head coach after ers. he was surprisingly hired by business partner Former Manchester City striker Alvaro and Valencia owner Peter Lim until the end of Negredo could return for the first time since the season despite his lack of managerial expe- early October after he was discarded by Nuno rience. To reach the knockout stages for the after a fall-out between the two before under- first time in three years, Valencia need to win going surgery for appendicitis last month. and hope that Belgian champions Gent don’t Shkodran Mustafi and Javi Fuego are also beat the already qualified Zenit St Petersburg. expected to return from injury, whilst right-back “I’ve only known one way in football which is Joao Cancelo returns from suspension. Neville to expect to win every match,” said Neville on admitted the Valencia fans are right to have his unveiling at the Mestalla. “You can’t always misgivings about the appointment of a coach do that but that is what you should expect, it’s with no previous experience and who doesn’t what I expect and what a club of this size speak Spanish, but he has already tried to win expects and the fans too. “Everything that I do, I them over by opening his first full training ses- do with the aspirations to do the absolute best, sion to the supporters. it’s the way I’ve approached everything I’ve And he could hardly have picked a better done and this will be no different. “Valencia will opponent to face in his first outing than a Lyon get every ounce of enthusiasm I can give. side in crisis having failed to win any of their last Hopefully that can lead to success. I’m aware of five matches. the expectation and I know that if I fall below it I The latest embarrassment for Hubert won’t be here.” Fournier’s men came with a 2-0 defeat at home Neville watched on from the stands as to Angers in the last ever league game at the Valencia salvaged a point against European Stade Gerland on Saturday. Lyon are already champions Barcelona on Saturday in front of a eliminated from all European competitions after vociferous home support thanks to Santi Mina’s taking just one point from their opening five late equaliser. group games. Moreover, the French side are Gary’s brother Phil Neville was part of the hampered by injuries to several key players. caretaker coaching staff against Barca and will Nabil Fekir, Gueida Fofana, Aldo Kalulu and continue as assistant having joined the club Christophe Jallet are all long-term absentees, VALENCIA: Valencia’s British coach Gary Neville (bottom L) talks to assistant Phil Neville (bottom R) during a training session at the under Neville’s predecessor Nuno Espirito Santo whilst Jordan Ferri is suspended. —AFP Valencia’s Sport City in Valencia yesterday, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League match Valencia CF vs Lyon. — AFP