FOOTBALL | Page 2 ATHLETICS | Page 7 ‘Very special’ ‘Underdog’ Austria brace Bolt ready to for historic fi re in 100m Euro 2017 game defence

Wednesday, August 2, 2017 CRICKET Dhul-Qa’da 10 , 1438 AH England’s Ali picks GULF TIMES his moment for fi rst hat-trick SPORT Page 4 FOOTBALL Barcelona block Neymar’s multi-million dollar bonus Brazil and Barca star keeps fans guessing with cryptic Twitter posts as CRICKET speculation mounts about his move to Paris Saint-Germain No Bangladesh tour AFP Barcelona without new pay deal, arcelona have blocked pay- ment of a 26-million-euro says Australia’s Smith ($31-million) bonus for star attacker Neymar as specula- Reuters Btion mounts that he will move to Paris Sydney Saint-Germain, a source at the club said yesterday. The Brazilian football star, who is due ustralian players will not to come back for training today morn- travel to Bangladesh for a ing, is at the centre of an apparent tug two-test tour starting this of war between the two European gi- Amonth until the pay dis- ants in what would be the most expen- pute between them and the sport’s sive transfer fee in football history. national governing body is resolved, Speculation is mounting that the captain Steve Smith said yesterday. 25-year-old could quit Barcelona for The Australian Cricketers’ Associa- PSG for a world-record 222mn euros. tion (ACA) and Cricket Australia’s “These 26mn euros have been placed (CA) have failed to resolve a long- with a notary pending to see if the play- running pay dispute that has left er continues,” the source, who refused around 230 players eff ectively to be named, told AFP. unemployed after the previous five- The renewal bonus was agreed on a year agreement expired in June. year ago when Neymar extended his The Australia A team boycotted contract with Barcelona until 2021, and their South Africa tour in July after a was due to be paid to the player after he new Memorandum of Understand- completed a year. ing could not be agreed and Smith But the club has decided to put it on says the senior team will skip the hold pending to see how the situation Bangladesh tour, which is scheduled evolves. to start on Aug 27. CA is on the verge of an agreement The contract Neymar signed also Guessing game: Neymar “I’d like to, but as we’ve said for a with the players’ union and Smith increased an early termination clause long time we need to get the deal remained hopeful that a solution from 200 to 222mn euros, which PSG is Spanish sports media doubt he will In another video posted from an forward could be headed directly to done first,” Smith told Fox Sports. would be found. reportedly willing to pay. show up. aeroplane, Neymar jokes around with Paris after deciding to quit the Spanish “I don’t think it would be fair for us to “It’s had some diff icult moments,” Neymar’s future is the talk of Span- Neymar, meanwhile, triggered a an image messaging app that superim- club. go away after the (Australia) A guys the 28-year-old said. ish football, and particularly Barcelona guessing game on his return from Chi- posed a Spanish fl ag and a small plane BeIN Sport, like PSG backed by Qa- were very strong on not going away “When this is all over with, I have to supporters. na yesterday, posting a video on social on his tee-shirt — suggesting he is in- tar, said in a tweet in Arabic on Monday on their tour, for us to then go away I deal with Pat Howard, I have to deal After a successful pre-season tour media apparently from Dubai but leav- deed headed home to Barcelona. that Neymar had decided to leave the don’t think that’s fair. with the (CA) Board and speak to (CA in the United States that saw Barce- ing his fi nal destination — Paris or Bar- The decor in that video was identifi - Catalan club, citing a club management “CA know this, they’ve been told chief executive) James Sutherland lona win against Juventus, Manchester celona — a mystery. able as from an Emirates aeroplane. source at Barcelona. this. I told (CA’s Executive General so I have to be careful with what sort United and Real Madrid, the footballer As speculation mounts of an im- Earlier reports claimed that he was While Neymar has studiously re- Manager Team Performance) Pat of lines I tread. fl ew to China for a promotion trip. minent record-busting transfer from headed from China to Doha, to meet mained silent about his future, Barca Howard personally that this was “Talking to the two parties and try- But he studiously avoided comment- Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, PSG’s Qatari owners and pass a medical coach Ernesto Valverde is expecting how things were going to be if there ing to figure out what each of them ing on the situation. Neymar’s video appeared to be from the before his reported 222-million-euro him back at the club today for the re- wasn’t a deal done.” want and the best way forward. It’s Today, Barcelona players resume fi rst class lounge at Dubai airport. ($260mn) move from Barca. sumption of training, although Spanish The dispute revolves around CA’s been a long process and hopefully it training after their summer break, with The 25-year-old forward, who was But his being on an Emirates plane sports media claim he won’t turn up. scrapping of the two-decade-old comes to a close soon.” a double session in the morning and in in Shanghai on Monday fulfi lling a rules out Doha as a possible destination In his four years with the Catalans he revenue share model, by which play- Sutherland said last week that his the afternoon. sponsor’s engagement, also posted a given the diplomatic crisis between has won the Champions League in 2015, ers get a fixed share of the organisa- organisation would take the pay Neymar has been called to the train- photo with the caption in Portuguese: Qatar and its Gulf neighbours. La Liga twice, the Spanish Cup three tion’s annual revenue, in the new dispute to arbitration if a resolution ing, the club source said, although “Lunch at half-way”. Other reports had said the Barcelona times and one FIFA Club World Cup. pay deal. Local media reported that was not found by this week.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL Qatar duo top pool in World Championships

By Sports Reporter With this win avenged a 2-1 loss Vienna to the Latvian’s at the 2015 FIVB Xiamen Open to even the head-to-head at 1-1 in FIVB World Tour competition he Qatar duo of Jeff erson Pereira and Cherif Younousse topped Pool B in the said. “We did well in the pools round and Cherif Beach Volleyball World Championships really enjoys playing these big tournaments. He after a convincing 2-0 (21-17, 21-19) win connects really well with the supporters and overT second-seeded Latvians Aleksandrs Sam- plays with happiness and the fans here have oilovs and Janis Smedins in Vienna. been amazing so far. With this win they avenged a 2-1 loss to the “We are more confi dent after what we did and Latvians at the 2015 FIVB Xiamen Open to even we feel we can compete in the top, so maybe we their head-to-head record at 1-1 in FIVB World can surprise people again”. Tour competition. The 28-year-old player also trusts his own Qatar fi nished their Pool B engagements with Qatar’s Jeff erson Pereira lucky charm to claim a good result in Vienna. a 3-0 record while Latvia are second with two in action in Vienna. Jeff erson has grown a goatee to compete in the wins and a loss. Germany’s Markus Bocker- World Championships, one that has earned mann/Lars Fluggen are third while Jhonatan him the nickname “The Rock” (in a reference Golindanoa and Carlos Rangel of Venezuela fi n- to American actor and professional wrestler ished 4th. Dwayne Johnson). Both Latvia and Qatar have advanced to the “It all started in a regional tournament in knockout phase and will play Thursday. Asia”, he recalls. “I was wearing the goatee and The Qatari duo have made impressive progress was playing with a lot of intensity, hitting the since their historic performance in The Hague, ball really hard and people starting calling me fi nishing ninth at Rio 2016 Olympic Games and ‘The Rock’. We got a pretty good result there winning their fi rst-ever gold medal in the FIVB and since then I decided to grow it to every im- World Tour in Kish Island also last year. portant tournament we play, especially the Ol- “I believe we can repeat what we did in The ympics and the World Championships. It has Hague and, why not, even get further”, Jeff erson worked so far and I hope it does again this time”. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, August 2, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT EURO 2017: WOMEN ‘Very special’ Austria Real expected to brace for historic game give MLS stars intense match ‘When you get to play for a team like Real Madrid, there’s no days off . There are no File picture of Austria’s Katharina Schiechtl (L) in action during their easy games. They have a world-class coach that they are trying to impress’ UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 quarter-final against Spain.

AFP AFP Freiburg in the Bundesliga. Chicago Wageningen, Netherlands “But Denmark sounds a little better than Germany.” Aschauer added she had no eteran goalkeeper Tim Howard omen’s Euro new- doubt Austria — which enjoys says top North American club comers Austria are massive fan support at home — players should expect “cut- bracing for their was ready for the challenge. throat” competition from semi-fi nal against “Our team is something very VSpanish giants Real Madrid in today’s WDenmark fully aware that tomor- special in every sense of the Major League Soccer All-Star Game. row’s encounter will be a world word,” she added. The All-Star match marks the end of a apart from last month’s 4-2 win “Of course team spirit is the four-match, 11-day pre-season US tour in a friendly. most important thing, the key for Real Madrid. “It’s going to be a complete- factor, but we are also very good But Howard expects Real Madrid to ly diff erent game, the friendly individually. bring their best as they prepare for the was weeks ago,” right full back “What makes us special is upcoming La Liga campaign. Katharina Schiechtl told AFP that we stick together no mat- “When you get to play for a team like at Austria’s training ground in ter what, and we always believe Real Madrid, there’s no days off ,” Howard Wageningen. until the fi nal whistle that we can said. “There are no easy games. They “Denmark have presented make it.” have a world-class coach that they are themselves very well so far at the “That’s what we proved for trying to impress. Euros, they’ve played stronger example in the game with Spain, “They have got to play well to earn a and stronger every game.” but also in the other games.” spot coming up for the La Liga season. “Besides, they have high-class Austria surprisingly won their World football is intense and it’s cut- individual players like Pernille group after beating Switzerland throat. There aren’t any days when guys Harder,” added Schiechtl. and Iceland and a 1-1 draw with just take it easy. When you put your jer- She was on the pitch on July 6 France. sey on and cross the line — whether it’s when Austria beat the Danes ow- Aschauer and the lanky a tournament, a regular-season game, a ing to braces from Nicole Billa Schiechtl, who is 24 and plays for pre-season game, an All-Star Game — and Sarah Zadrazil. Werder Bremen in the Bundes- these guys are going to be up for it.” So was left full back Verena liga, agreed the quarter-fi nal win Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Howard will Aschauer, who said Denmark against Spain on penalties after a start in goal for Chicago Fire coach Veljiko were a little more acceptable op- goalless draw was the biggest of Paunovic in the mid-season exhibition. ponent than Germany, the eight- their careers so far. In 2001, Howard represented the East time champion eliminated by “Incredible, amazing,” said in a conference versus conference All- Denmark in the quarter-fi nals. Schiechtl. It’s a dream come true Star Game and in the following year he “I wouldn’t prefer Germany, at the moment, and speaking of was part of an MLS All-Star squad that but in the semi-fi nal it doesn’t the semifi nal we’re going to put took on US national team. matter who you play against, eve- in everything we have left in us.” He played against the MLS All-Stars rything is possible in one game,” “But Denmark is going to be a when he returned with English Premier- File picture of Real players said the 23-year-old, who plays for hard task.” ship side Everton in 2009 in the current during a training session format that pits the All-Stars against top-fl ight European competition. PRAISE “I’m not sure which one’s better,” he said including World Cup winners Bastian if we can win, we will go for the match,” Orlando City’s Brazilian star Kaka, of the various permutations of the All-Star Schweinsteiger, David Villa and Kaka. Schweinsteiger told the Chicago Tribune. who helped Real Madrid to the 2011-12 La Game he has experienced. “But it will be “It’s an honour to play for the MLS All- “We know that it is a very strong team Liga title, said facing his former team will certainly exciting to play Real Madrid — Star team, especially here in Chicago,” and that we are playing together for the be “a very emotional experience.” Lacazette can’t be there’s no question about that.” said the Fire’s Schweinsteiger. fi rst time. It is not going to be easy at all, “I do not know how the game will go, The All-Stars feature plenty of heavy- “We will look to have a good game, to but we will try and have a good game and but we have a great team to play a very weights with marquee match experience, be competitive against Real Madrid and enjoy it a little.” even game with Real Madrid,” he said. replaced: Lyon boss

ADVANTAGE Matic at Man United will help unlock Pogba’s talents: McClair Reuters of 89 million pounds and en- London dured a patchy comeback. With Matic boosting the array AFP pressure,” said Genesio. of ball-winners at United, the Lyon “We can’t be over-motivated he signing of workhorse physical yet talented Frenchman or allow that to create negative Nemanja Matic should should be allowed to play further waves by saying we have to win allow Manchester Unit- upfi eld to make use of his great- rsenal’s new signing or have to be in the fi nal because ed to make better use est skills. Alexandre Lacazette it’s in Lyon. Tof gifted France midfi elder Paul “Pogba’s attributes are all is irreplaceable, ac- “It’s a great opportunity for us Pogba in the coming years, the about attacking,” said McClair. cording to the coach of to play in a fi rst European fi nal, club’s former forward Brian Mc- “He can fi nd a pass, beat a play- Lyon,A who sold the forward to and on top of that it’s at home. Clair said. er and has fantastic skills. He can the Londoners last month. “It needs to transcend the United manager Jose Mour- score goals. For him to have the Lyon have been hit by an exo- team and not create a pressure inho acquired the tall Serbian best opportunity of success at Old dus of top players during the that inhibits us.” enforcer from Premier League Traff ord, Pogba needs to be play- close season including Coren- rivals and champions Chelsea ing in the fi nal third of the pitch as tin Tolisso, Mathieu Valbuena, Unsettled Sanchez for a reported fee ranging from much as possible.” Maxime Gonalons and Rachid back in training 40 million to 50 million pounds Matic could make his competi- Ghezzal. with Arsenal ($53 million-$66 million) on a File picture of Nemanja Matic (L) during his days with Chelsea and Man United’s Paul Pogba. tive debut for last season’s Europa But none is more damag- three-year contract on Monday. League winners United against ing than the loss of 26-year-old Alexis Sanchez finally “United need someone who thing similar but who will be more that someone like Matic would Chelsea, having been offl oaded Champions League holders Real Lacazette, the club’s top scorer returned to training with Arse- sits there behind Pogba, who mobile in the coming years.” fi t in,” McClair said. to Portuguese giants Benfi ca in Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup in each of the last four seasons. nal yesterday amid persistent played his best football when With Pogba a regular starter “In some games, Paul Pogba 2011 during his fi rst spell with showdown next Tuesday in Mac- “We can’t replace Alex. We’ve speculation the Chile forward (current United captain) Michael for United, Matic looks set to has been in the wrong place and the club under Mourinho. edonia’s capital Skopje. bought Mariano (Diaz), who has is keen to leave the Gunners. Carrick also played last season,” compete for a midfi eld slot with it has stifl ed his abilities which Pogba, who was shipped out Matic is United’s third signing diff erent qualities, and we have Sanchez missed Arsenal’s McClair told ESPNFC. the 36-year old Carrick, Span- United bought him for.” from United to Juventus by Alex this summer, following Romelu young players with diff erent qual- pre-season tour of Australia “Michael is coming to the end iard Ander Herrera and Belgian Matic, who turned 29 yester- Ferguson in 2012 as a 19-year Lukaku from Everton and Victor ities too,” said Bruno Genesio. and China, as well as last of a wonderful career, so United enforcer Marouane Fellaini. day, won two Premier League old, returned to Old Traff ord last Lindelof from Benfi ca. “We’re going to have to com- weekend’s Emirates Cup need someone who can do some- “In the short term, I could see titles in his second stint with year for a then world record fee pensate collectively for his de- tournament, as he rested parture.” following international duty at Lacazette was Ligue 1’s top the Confederations Cup. scorer in 2014/15 and fi nished The 28-year-old was due to Manchester City set for Spain trip aft er of football Txiki Begiristain told the club website. Marlos Moreno and Spanish midfielder Aleix Garcia will second to Paris Saint-Germain resume training with his Arse- season opener “We have had some players away on international duty all spend the forthcoming season with Girona as City stars Zlatan Ibrahimovic and nal teammates on Sunday, but this summer, which means Pep hasn’t had the chance to strengthen their links with the club. Edinson Cavani over the subse- he was unable to fly back to Manchester City have made the unusual decision to work for long with the whole squad. City had already sent Pablo Maff eo on loan to Girona quent two years. London until yesterday after travel to Spain for a training camp less than a day after “The game itself promises to be a fantastic spectacle, earlier this week for the right-back’s third spell with the He bagged 91 league goals and going down with the flu. their opening Premier League fixture, the club have as Girona finalise their own preparations for their debut Spaniards. 113 in all competitions over the Just hours after posting a announced. campaign in La Liga.” Luiz’s move comes just weeks after the highly-rated last four seasons, convincing picture on social media of City manager Pep Guardiola and his squad will fly to City host Everton in their second Premier League 19-year-old was signed by City from Vasco da Gama for Arsenal to splash out £52 million himself and his dogs next to Girona for a four-day trip just hours after visiting pro- fixture on August 21. £10 million ($13 million). ($68 million, 58 million euros) to a private jet, Sanchez added moted Brighton and Hove Albion on August 12. “Girona will give Douglas the perfect opportunity to sign the France international. a photo of him running and The training camp, which will include a fixture against Man City send three youngsters on loan develop at the top level of the European game,” City Lyon fi nished fourth in Ligue wrote: “Back to training.” La Liga newcomers Girona, has been arranged to give to La Liga newcomers Girona director of football Txiki Begiristain said. 1 last season and will play in the Wenger had said he would Guardiola time to work with players who missed City’s Moreno, 20, was signed by City last year but spent the Europa League during the com- have to check on Sanchez’s fit- pre-season tour of the United States. Manchester City sent three young stars on loan to La 2016-17 campaign on loan at Deportivo La Coruna. ing campaign, with the fi nal of ness before deciding whether “This trip is a great opportunity for Pep to work with his Liga newcomers Girona yesterday. Garcia and Maff eo, both 20, have been on the fringes of that competition played in their to include the former Barce- full squad in an intensive training camp,” City director Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz, Colombian winger the City first team without earning regular opportunities. own stadium in May 2018. lona star against Chelsea. “That needs to be a positive Gulf Times Wednesday, August 2, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Sekour set to join Al Ahli announce Umm Salal Majid signing

Moroccan professional QSL side Al Ahli have con- Youssef Sekour has arrived firmed that they have signed to Doha ahead of a medical Qatari midfielder Majid Mo- for Umm Salal which will take hamed. The club announced place tomorrow at Aspetar. that they have secured the Standing brings The player is looking to make 31-year old’s services for one a move from Moroccan Cham- season with an option to pionship side IR Tanger. renew. The 29-year-old attacker has The right-footed midfielder experience playing in Europe moves to the Brigadier’s ranks as well as Morocco. Umm from Al Duhail and will be Salal are set to make him their looking forward to making an fourth foreign professional for impact in the new season. The passion but still a the upcoming QSL season. former Qatari international Umm Salal held a press con- has 77 international caps and ference on Sunday to reveal more than 10 years of experi- their new signings ahead of ence in the QSL. the start of the QSL season. The player will now join his Six players were presented to team for their pre-season the media including Moroccan training camp in Holland. professional Adil Rhaili. contentious issue Rhaili is a centre-back who Qatar SC head to previously played for Kuwaiti Slovenia for camp A campaign to bring back standing areas gained fresh impetus when members of Premiere League side Al Kuwait. Umm Salal now have Newly-promoted QSL side, the Liverpool supporters’ group Spirit of Shankly voted in favour of safe standing three confirmed professional Qatar SC have mapped out players for the new season, their pre-season training with Rhaili joining Ivorian camp which will take place striker Yannick Sagbo and in Slovenia. The Kings have Syrian attacker Mahmoud Al confirmed that they will be Mawas in the side. involved in friendly matches Along with Rhaili, there were while at the camp. five local players announced The club announced on their as well, including Maher off icial social media account Yousef from Al Wakrah, Mus- that the friendly matches are tafa Abdi from Al Gharafa, scheduled for the 13th, 15th, Basil Zaidan from Muaither, 22nd, 23rd and 28th of August. Khalid Zakiba from Al Rayyan Gabriel Calderon’s men are and Rami Fayes from El Jaish. currently training in Doha The players will be travelling and played a friendly match with their new team to their against Muaither which ended pre-season training camp in in a 2-2. The team will now Holland which will last from travel to Slovenia from the the 10th of August to the 27th 9th of August to the 29th of of August. August.

QFA names U19 squad for Thailand camp ahead of Asia Cup qualifi ers Qatar Football Association team will play two friendlies (QFA) has announced the against Thailand on Aug 8 and squad of the U19 national foot- 10. ball team for a training camp The Asian Cup qualifiers in Thailand ahead of the Asian draw placed Qatar in Group C Cup qualifiers, which take place alongside Iraq, Lebanon and in Doha in November. Afghanistan. File picture of the Suedtribuene or the South Stand at Borussia Dortmund’s stadium Westfalenstadion. Spectators are allowed to stand in this section. The 23-strong squad features The first-placed book a ticket in six players from Al Duhail, five the finals along with the best five Reuters A campaign to bring back standing Each row has a safety barrier which all matches in its competitions, including from Al Gharafa, four from Al second-placed in the 10 groups. Zurich areas gained fresh impetus on Monday incorporates a seat that can either be the World Cup qualifi ers, would have to Sadd, two from Qatar SC, two The junior Maroons kick off when members of the Liverpool support- locked into an upright position for stand- take place in all-seater stadiums. from AL Ahli, and one from the qualifiers against Lebanon ers’ group Spirit of Shankly (SOS) voted ing, or unlocked and folded into position “The safety of spectators at FIFA each of Al Khor, Al Arabi, Al on Nov 4 before they take on ormer Borussia Dortmund coach overwhelmingly in favour of safe stand- for sitting. matches is our primary concern and we Wakrah and Al Rayyan. Afghanistan on Nov 6 and wrap Juergen Klopp once described en- ing in an online poll. Other varieties include clip-on seats, are not considering any change to our During the camp, which runs up the campaign against Iraq tering the pitch to the clamour of Even so, any changes to the existing where terrace steps have metal clips that position regarding appropriate spectator from Aug. 4 to 11, the national two days later. fans on Europe’s biggest standing legislation would require government seats can be attached to and removed accommodation at FIFA matches,” said a tribuneF at the club’s Signal Iduna stadi- approval as well as the backing of the from, and fold-away seats, which can be spokesperson. um as “like being born”. football authorities. slipped under aluminium steps. In France, the National Association “You go through this dark tunnel to get And SOS emphasised that they were Like its German counterpart, Austria’s of Supporters (ANS) issued a 20-page ENGLANDBOTTOMLINE on to the pitch, it’s precisely two metres not actively campaigning in favour of Bundesliga views standing as benefi cial booklet in November explaining why it high,” he said. standing. and safe. was in favour of a return of standing ar- “When you come out, the place ex- In countries such as Germany, Austria, “We like to off er diff erent target groups a eas. Crackdown on divers begins plodes... out of the darkness and into the Switzerland and Sweden, standing has wide range of services,” the Austria league “(It) would promote a greater at- light. You look to your left and it seems not been banned. said in an e-mailed statement to Reuters. mosphere in the stadiums, would allow with season’s openers there are about 150,000 people up on the Instead, standing areas have been re- “Those include seats, VIP off ers, spe- cheaper places, limit the costs of main- terrace all going completely nuts.” designed to make them safer while allow- cial off ers for families in addition to taining the stands and prevent support- Reuters settled by a compliance offi cer, “The only diff erence is that, when you ing fans to create a vibrant atmosphere. standing places — which are both for the ers from injuring themselves by standing London in England a three-person panel are born, there aren’t as many people ap- “It’s not theatre, it’s football... it’s active fan scene or for spectators who in appropriate surroundings,” it said. consisting of an ex-player, an ex- plauding.” important to have these emotions,” said simply prefer not to sit down.” Spain’s La Liga does not allow standing manager and an ex-referee will The sight that caught the imagination Benni Burkart, head of security at Swiss “It can also be observed that the noise and fans seem content simply to ignore new era in English soc- sit in judgement. of Klopp, now manager of Liverpool, was Super League club St Gallen, adding that in the stadium as a rule emanates from the the rules — something which standing’s cer begins on Friday All three must agree there is a the Suedtribuene, with standing room for he did not consider standing to be a risk active fan scene in the standing places.” supporters say happens elsewhere. with a crackdown on “clear and overwhelming case” 25,000 fanatical, fl ag-waving supporters. in itself. The league did not share the concept “One of the problems we have at the players who cheat ref- for a charge to be brought. Standing, though, has long been “The risk are the people who do not that standing fans increased the risk of moment is that people stand up in seat- ereesA by diving to win a penalty If the player accepts a charge banned at the World Cup, the European obey the rules,” he told Reuters. vandalism. ing areas anyway and then the people be- or get an opponent sent off . he will be given an immediate championship and European club com- “There are a wide range of measures to hind them are also forced to stand,” said The second-tier Champion- two-match ban. petitions. SEAT DESIGNS OFFER OPTIONS ensure the safety of spectators including Peter Daykin from England’s Football ship games between Sunderland If not, the case will go before In England, all-seater stadiums be- There are several varieties of safe stand- wide stairs, crash barriers and security Supporters’ Federation (FSF). and Derby County and between an FA independent regulatory came mandatory in the top two divisions ing where terraces can quickly be con- cameras,” it said. “It’s preferable to have designated Nottingham Forest and Millwall commission that deals with all following the Hillsborough disaster in verted to seats for European club match- Even so, standing remains conten- standing areas rather than having ar- will be the fi rst in which players disciplinary issues. 1989, when 96 fans were killed in a crush es. tious. eas where some people stand and others can be retrospectively punished Players proved to be the in- at the FA Cup semi-fi nal between Liver- Rail seats are widely used in the Ger- Global soccer’s governing body FIFA don’t. The fans deserve proper and safe with two-match bans if they are nocent victims of cheating will pool and Nottingham Forest. man Bundesliga. said it would not change its stance and standing areas.” found guilty in a trial by video. have red cards, although not yel- Diving for penalties has been a low ones, rescinded. growing problem in the English The crackdown is an extension BOTTOMLINE game. of the FA’s “not seen” measure, Most clubs in the top two divi- which led to retrospective bans sions were accused of it at some for Tyron Mings and Zlatan Ib- point last season, with Marcus rahimovic for clashes that were Second-tier teams scramble for share of EPL riches Rashford of Manchester United, not picked up by offi cials in last Leroy Sane of Manchester City season’s game between Bourne- Reuters ry Monk lavishing 30 million est, traditional powerhouse and Harry Kane of Tottenham mouth and Manchester United. London pounds on three new strikers Leeds United, who changed both Hotspur coming under the spot- Not everyone thinks the new - Britt Assombalonga, Martin manager and owner over the light on a single weekend. measure goes far enough, how- Braithwaite and Ashley Fletcher summer, and two-time top-tier The crackdown, announced in ever. he annual scramble for - plus 10 million more on sundry champions Derby County. May, is aimed at players who go Former England manager Sam promotion to the Pre- others. But last season’s success of unpunished during the match for Allardyce criticised it for having mier League begins on Boro are favourites to make Huddersfi eld, who won promo- actions that have a signifi cant no provision to remove cards for Friday after a summer of a quick return to the Premier tion under rookie German man- bearing on it. players wrongly accused of diving. Tfrenetic hiring and fi ring by the League, along with former Eu- ager David Wagner via the play- The Football Association will He also wants greater use of 24 teams in England’s second- ropean Cup holders Aston Villa off s, suggests no team should be be able to charge them with in-game video technology of tier Championship. under new captain John Terry. ruled out. “successful deception of a match the kind used at this summer’s Each is intent on securing the “Forget Lukaku going to Man- Norwich City have fol- offi cial”. Confederations Cup when six golden ticket of entry into the chester United, Villa signing lowed the Terriers’ example Its implementation follows “game-changing decisions” world’s most lucrative league John Terry on a free is the deal of in appointing a former Borus- a year of feedback from players were changed. with almost 100 million pounds the summer,” said their former sia Dortmund II coach, Daniel and offi cials and it is adapted World soccer body Fifa said ($132.10 million) on off er to even striker Dean Saunders, now a TV Farke, as their fi rst foreign man- from a similar regulation in force the experiment had “really good the team that fi nishes bottom. pundit. ager, while another promotion in Scotland. results but many aspects should Sunderland banked that check Villa are banking on experi- favourite Fulham have done well While controversies there are be improved”. last season when they lost their ence with Terry, a fi ve-time to hang on to their promising top-fl ight status after 10 years. Premier League winner with youngsters like Ryan Sessegnon. The Black Cats are one of sev- Chelsea who will partner the Of the outsiders, Sheffi eld Dante relieved Balotelli and Favre staying at Nice en Championship teams under much travelled Chris Samba in United will carry the momen- new management, with Simon defence. tum of last season’s League One Nice centre-back Dante said is relieved the temperamental Grayson handed the dubious “It’s an exciting new chapter title win into the division, where yesterday he is delighted that Italian has remained on the task of seeking instant success for me,” Terry told reporters yes- they will face neighbours today star forward Mario Balotelli Cote d’Azur. in a job with an average lifespan terday. “In front of 45,000 here in the league for the fi rst time in and coach Lucien Favre decid- “Mario was free (to leave).The of less than a year. File picture of Chelsea coach Antonio Conte with the EPL trophy. every week is what I want to be fi ve years. ed to stay at the Ligue 1 club. two parties made an eff ort, Former Russia national man- doing and competing at the very Lesser-known Brentford pro- Nice face a trip to Amsterdam though. We’re very happy with ager Leonid Slutsky is the most ship with Chelsea owner Ro- profi t in 2015-16, the last season top. Our ambition is to get up.” vide an intriguing model of how to take on Ajax in the Champi- that,” said Brazilian Dante. high-profi le new manager at an- man Abramovich to negotiate when accounts are available. Two other signings, Ahmed to succeed on the cheap. ons League qualifying second Favre had been courted by other relegated club, Hull City, the loan of two of the Blues’ But their summer dealings Elmohamady and Glenn Whe- The west London side have a leg today in their first ever par- Borussia Dortmund but Nice while Portugal’s Nuno Espírito most promising young players, suggest their Chinese owners lan, have both won promotion wealthy backer in Matthew Ben- ticipation in Europe’s premier ruled out any exit for the Swiss Santo has swapped Porto for one Ola Aina and Michael Hector, Fosun International are prepared to the top fl ight, as has man- ham, who as a professional gam- competition. coach. “I never though the of England’s most famous old while Santo has brought in Ru- to plunge into the red to secure ager Steve Bruce - a record four bler knows how to buy players Although Balotelli will be miss- coach would leave before the names, Wolverhampton Wan- ben Neves for a club-record 15.8 promotion after fi ve years out of times. cheap and sell at infl ated prices ing after suff ering a hamstring end of his contract,” said Dan- derers. million pounds and loan signing the top fl ight. Other big-name teams with - perhaps the perfect profi le injury in the 1-1 first leg draw te. “It is normal that he thought Both have shown the impor- Willy Boly from his former club. Relegated Middlesbrough impeccable top-fl ight creden- for success in a league where so in southern France, in which about it a bit, as Dortmund are tance of football networking, Wolves were the only one of have spent even more aggres- tials include double European many are betting on better fu- he scored Nice’s goal, Dante a very big club.” with Slutsky using his friend- the division’s 24 teams to make a sively, with new manager Gar- Cup holders Nottingham For- tures. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, August 2, 2017 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT CRICKET Pneumonia-hit Chandimal to lead England’s Ali Lanka recovery bid picks his moment for fi rst hat-trick 'I’ve scored a few hat-tricks in football warm-ups, but this is a diff erent sort of feeling... a better feeling'

AFP “Mo quite likes having that feeling of hav- London ing maybe a little bit less pressure,” explained Root. Dinesh Chandimal of Sri Lanka. “When we need to take wickets in the oeen Ali chose a fi ne time to make fourth innings of a Test match, he’s able to do AFP Sri Lankan chief selector both personal and cricket history it,” he added. Colombo Sanath Jayasuriya backed his after his fi rst hat-trick at any Several former England captains had team to bounce back at the Sin- level sealed England’s 239-run slammed Root’s men for an inability to graft halese Sports Club Ground, re- winM in the third Test against South Africa at out a score during a 340-run thrashing by inesh Chandimal is ex- calling India’s turnaround during The Oval. South Africa in the second Test at Trent pected to return from the previous series in 2015. A match imbued with historical signifi - Bridge. pneumonia to lead “India did come back the last cance — this was the 100th Test at The Oval But with all-rounder Stokes, the man-of- injury-hit Sri Lanka as time they were here, after losing — saw off -spinner Ali create some of his own. the-match, making 112 in a fi rst innings 353, theyD bid to rebound from their in Galle. This is cricket, and if His was just the 14th England hat-trick England established a commanding position record thrashing against India we apply ourselves and want (to at this level and the fi rst in south London at The Oval that they never let slip. in the second Test in Colombo, come back) then we can,” Jayas- ground The Oval’s 127-year history as a Test “It was obviously a diffi cult week up in starting tomorrow. uriya told The Times Of India. venue. Nottingham, but the way the guys responded Chandimal, who was only ap- “This is something we proved Dean Elgar did his best to prevent England and character they showed to come back was pointed last month, sat out the last year when we beat Australia, going 2-1 up in this four-match series with a outstanding,” said Root after just his third fi rst Test in Galle when Virat then world’s number one Test gutsy innings of 136. Test as captain. Kohli’s India won by 304 runs — team, 3-0 when they were here. The left-handed opener was, however, the But if the pattern of this see-saw series their biggest margin of victory in It wasn’t a one-off win because fi rst of Ali’s hat-trick victims on Monday’s continues, South Africa should secure an terms of runs on foreign soil. we can’t win three Tests in a row fi fth day, edging to Ben Stokes at fi rst slip. equally huge win in the fourth Test at Old It piled yet more pressure on without playing well. Kagiso Rabada exited in similar fashion Traff ord starting on Friday. beleaguered Sri Lanka, whose “So, our players are capable. next ball but that was the end of the over. “We’ve not done things by halves so far in humiliating one-day series de- We need to give them lot of con- But with South Africa surviving the ensu- this series,” Root admitted. feat to minnows Zimbabwe fi dence,” said the former star all- ing Stokes over, it was left to Ali to have last “It’s just important that we take (with us) prompted former captain Angelo rounder. man Morne Morkel lbw with his next deliv- the way we’ve played this week — especially Mathews to step down. But Sri Lanka, now seventh ery. the way we batted, which I thought was ex- Sri Lanka are also battling in- in the world rankings, will have It needed an England review of West In- ceptional.” juries ahead of the second Test, to show rapid improvements dian umpire Joel Wilson’s not out decision, Stokes led the way and Root said: “He where they are bidding to stay against India, who dominated however, to confi rm that the Proteas, set a thinks really well and he’s got a great cricket alive in the three-Test series. the opening Test. mammoth 492 for victory, were all out for 252 brain, which he doesn’t always get a lot of All-rounder Asela Gunaratne Kohli said he was facing his after lunch on Monday’s fi fth and fi nal day. credit for. fractured a thumb during the own selection headache with “I’ve never taken a hat-trick in any sort of “He’s a person you know you can turn to fi rst Test in Galle, and veteran opener Lokesh Rahul available cricket,” said the 30-year-old Ali. under pressure to wrest a game back in your bowler and stand-in captain for selection after recovering “I’ve scored a few hat-tricks in football favour.” Elgar battled hard to keep England at Rangana Herath also injured a from viral fever. warm-ups, but this is a diff erent sort of feel- bay during an innings where he copped both middle fi nger. Shikhar Dhawan, who scored ing... a better feeling.” physical and verbal blows. Sri Lanka’s cricket manager 190 in the fi rst innings, and Ab- England captain Joe Root added: “It was a “It’s part of the game — you have to roll Asanka Gurusinha said Chan- hinav Mukund, whose 81 steered special way to fi nish, and quite a fi tting one in with the punches and take the blows when dimal should be fi t for Colombo the team’s second innings, have the 100th Test here, and summed up a really they come your way,” he said. after his bout of pneumonia. made the opening slot a dilemma good week for us.” As for the ‘verbals’, Elgar insisted he “en- Left-arm spinner Herath, who for the selectors. Ali, England’s lone specialist spinner at joyed it”, adding: “England are a big huff - was unable to bat in the second But Rahul is expected to make The Oval, has now taken 18 wickets this se- and-puff bowling attack and when they are innings, is still not certain. the starting line-up in place of ries and 116 in his Test career in total. on top, they are defi nitely going to bring their “We will give him (Herath) till Mukund. England’s Moeen Ali bowls on the fifth and final day of the third Test match Not that England will care if Ali, who had mouths as well. the last minute to make sure that The match will mark batsman between England and South Africa at The Oval cricket ground in London on innings fi gures of four for 45 on Monday, “If the shoe was on the other foot I’m sure he is fi t. The day before the Test Cheteshwar Pujara’s 50th Test. Monday. keeps taking wickets. we’d be doing the same thing.” we will see whether he can drift He hit a patient 153 in the fi rst the ball, it will come down to innings of his 49th game to im- that,” said Gurusinha. prove his average to 52.18. SELECTION TENNIS Batsman Danushka Gunathi- “There have been ups and laka, who made his Test debut downs, but looking at the recent in Galle, is likely to give up his form, I will be looking forward to place to Chandimal, while Kusal play in the 50th Test match and Finn Sharapova struggles but advances on Mendis is expected to return to score some runs for the team,” his number three batting posi- the 29-year-old Pujara said. replaces return from injury at Stanford Classic tion. Reuters who’s able to play some great tennis.” CYCLING injured Washington “I feel like I’m playing catch-up against everyone. “All that matters is that I keep playing. Wood aria Sharapova shook off The more I play, the better I’ll do. That’s the Sagan keeps yellow, some rust after injury and a goal.” Reuters 15-month doping ban to beat Meanwhile, Russia’s Daniil Medvedev London Jennifer Brady in her fi rst match overcame an ankle injury then fought off a Ewan wins in Poland inM the United States in more than two years match point to advance to the second round on Monday at the Stanford Classic. of the Citi Open in Washington, DC on AFP on. Ewan powered past Sagan teven Finn has replaced The fi ve-times grand slam champion, Monday. Katowice, Poland with under 100m to go, while injured fast bowling col- who returned to tennis in April after being Medvedev twisted his ankle late in the van Poppel beat the Slovak to league Mark Wood in the banned for testing positive for meldonium, third set and fought off a match point second on the line with a bike only change to England’s suff ered a thigh injury at the Italian Open in Maria Sharapova signs autographs for fans against Reilly Opelka before he prevailed ustralian sprinter throw. The charismatic Sagan squadS for the fourth and fi nal May and struggled to put away Brady before 6-7(8) 6-3 7-6(6) to move into a second Caleb Ewan edged extended his overall lead to after beating Jennifer Brady (USA) in the test against South Africa, start- she advanced with a 6-1 4-6 6-0 win. Bank of the West Classic tennis round clash with American Steve Johnson. Danny Van Poppel and ten seconds over Dylan Teuns ing on Friday at Old Traff ord. “I feel like I just want to hug everyone and tournament at Stanford University on The men’s draw suff ered a minor blow Peter Sagan in a fran- thanks to his time bonus. Toby Roland-Jones made his say thank you,” Sharapova told an on-court PICTURE: when John Isner, who won the Atlanta title ticA bunch fi nish yesterday after Burgos, Spain: In-form Sky Monday. Stan Szeto-USA TODAY debut in the third test victory interview after her triumph as a tourna- Sports last week and has been beaten three times the 238km fourth stage of the rider Mikel Landa was fi rst up and was part of England’s pace ment wildcard. in the fi nal in Washington in 2007, 2013 and Tour of Poland. the tough fi nal slope to win the attack alongside James Ander- “It’s my fi rst match in the States in a re- Brady rebounded when she raced away to 2015, had to withdraw from the tournament The result was enough for fi rst stage of the fi ve-day Tour son and Stuart Broad, while ally long time, and it’s the closest thing to a 3-0 lead in the second set, before Shara- with a knee injury. world road race champion Sa- of Burgos in Spain yesterday. Finn, whose last test appearance home for me. The welcome has been in- pova regrouped to run away with the match “Disappointed to have withdrawn from gan to keep the overall leader’s Spanish rider Landa was key was in October last year, was credible and fi nally playing so close to home in the third to set up a clash with seventh the @CitiOpen this year,” Isner posted on yellow jersey as he seeks re- to Chris Froome’s fourth Tour added as standby for Wood. was really special.” seed Lesia Tsurenko, who beat Lara Arrua- Twitter. “Unfortunately, I’m just not quite demption after being thrown de France win in July and crucial Finn’s Middlesex team mate Sharapova was pushed by Brady who barrena-Vecino 6-3 6-3. fi t enough for it this year. I’ll be back!” off the Tour de France in July. too in the San Sebastian Classic Roland-Jones took eight wick- forced several long games during the match. “I had a bit of a letdown but that’s the In other fi rst-round men’s action, Amer- On the largely fl at stage an win for Polish teammate Michal ets, while fellow debutant Tom In the opening set, Sharapova saved three way it is,” Sharapova said of her loss of the ican Donald Young beat compatriot Tim escape group formed on a siz- Kwiatkowski on Sunday. Westley, batting at number break points in the sixth game but managed second set. Smyczek 4-6 6-3 6-4, to set up a second zlingly hot day, extending Today's second stage is a three, also shone with a 59 in the to hold to take a 5-1 lead before she sealed “I feel like I face a lot of things: not com- round clash with world number nine Kei their lead to over seven min- 155km totally fl at run likely to second innings as the hosts won the set in the next game. peting for a long time, (and) an opponent Nishikori. utes before being reeled in late end in a bunch sprint. by 239 runs on Monday to take a 2-1 series lead. BOTTOMLINE With the inclusion of Westley Amazon poaches ATP tennis rights from Sky and another debutant batsman in Dawid Malan, England moved Reuters, London: Amazon. NFL’s Thursday Night Football Moeen Ali down to number Nishikori tries to end title drought com Inc has made it first move in April, kicking off a push by eight at The Oval but that could into major sports rights outside the online retailer to attract change in Manchester. AFP court,” Nishikori said on Monday. well, I’ll be winning some. The chance will the United States by outbidding fans to its shopping and video England coach Trevor Bayl- Washington “I think there’s an advantage for past come if I keep working hard.” Sky for the exclusive UK rights service. iss feels the side can cope with champions. I’m happy to play in a place Nishikori took some time off in Japan after to tennis’s ATP World Tour, the Sky, Britain’s biggest pay-TV a batsman less as all-rounders I’ve won before.” making a third-round Wimbledon exit. He Guardian said yesterday. group, said last week it had Ben Stokes and Moeen have apan’s Kei Nishikori, trying to end an Ninth-ranked Nishikori was the 2014 had matched his deepest French Open run Amazon Prime Video agreed to walked away from bidding on both contributed runs for Eng- 18-month ATP title drought, hopes re- US Open runner-up, becoming the fi rst with a quarter-fi nal eff ort at Roland Gar- pay as much as 10mn pounds some sports rights as it invest land. turning to the scene of his most recent Asian man in a Grand Slam fi nal, and ros, losing to British world number one Andy ($13.2mn) a year for the rights, elsewhere in the business, in- “I’m still of the view we don’t Joutdoor crown will provide a pre-US reached the semi-fi nals last year at Flush- Murray. But he got back to work last week. which include the ATP Tour cluding continuing to broaden need more than seven batters,” Open spark. ing Meadows. “It has been a very good week. Trained finals competition between the its drama and entertainment Bayliss told Sky Sports. The 27-year-old Rio Olympic bronze But he hasn’t won a title since taking his a lot,” Nishikori said. “I’m excited to be in top eight singles and doubles content. “We’ve got three guys like medallist opens with a second-round fourth consecutive Memphis Open crown this tournament. The court is a little faster players, the newspaper said. Sky has recently reorganised its Ben Stokes, (wicketkeeper) match Tuesday at the ATP Citi Open in his in February 2016, dropping six fi nals since than two years ago. It’s a little hot. I make fi t Sky was paying about 8mn sports broadcasting to create Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali fi rst match on the Washington hardcourts then — last year at Miami, Barcelona, Can- my tennis in these conditions.” pounds a year under a deal that channels dedicated to specific who give us a lot of options, so since beating John Isner in the 2015 fi nal ada and the Swiss Indoors and this year at The wildcard second seed is among fi ve lasts until 2018, the Guardian sports such as soccer, cricket, on this occasion, we looked at for his 10th career ATP crown. Brisbane and Buenos Aires. of the world’s top 11 players in the fi eld, said. Formula One and golf. the conditions, saw it was a bit “I don’t want to think about it too much, “I’m always looking to win,” he said. paced by seventh-ranked Austrian Domin- Amazon won the streaming Amazon and Sky declined to green here and played the extra but I know this is a tournament I’ve won “I’m a little disappointed not to be win- ic Thiem and rising German star Alexander rights in the United States for comment. batsman. before. I do have good memories on center ning some tournaments. If I keep playing Zverev, ranked a career-best eighth. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 2, 2017 5 SPORT

MLB Gonzalez hurls eight no-hit innings in Nationals win National League East division leaders improve to 63-41 with second-place Miami, 49-55, falling 14 games behind

AFP all. The Phillies no longer own the worst record Miami in the majors, a distinction that now belongs to San Francisco. Pivetta (4-6) held Atlanta to one run on three hits in six innings, but the bullpen ashington Nationals pitcher Gio nearly gave it away. Hector Neris got the fi nal Gonzalez hurled eight no-hit in- out for his 10th save. ning on Monday before fi nally surrendering a base hit to Miami MARINERS 6, RANGERS 4 Win a 1-0 Major League Baseball victory over Robinson Cano’s two-run single in the ninth in- the Marlins. The 31-year-old US left-hander ning capped a rally for Seattle, which took ad- who grew up in Miami was three outs from the vantage of sloppy play by Texas. Seattle trailed fi rst no-hitter of his career before the Marlins’ 4-0 after two innings but was able to complete Dee Gordon slapped a single to centerfi eld on a the comeback in the ninth inning on a night 1-ball, 1-strike breaking pitcher to lead off the when neither Texas starter Cole Hamels nor ninth inning for the hosts. Seattle starter Felix Hernandez was sharp. Gonzalez was attempting to fi nish the second Cano’s single to right with one out in the no-hitter in Major League Baseball this season ninth off Alex Claudio (2-1) scored two and after Marlins right-hander Edinson Volquez snapped a 4-4 tie. hurled one on June 3 against the Arizona Dia- The inning included the Rangers’ fourth error mondbacks. Gonzalez, who improved to 9-5, of the game and their second balk. Edwin Diaz was removed after Gordon’s single. He walked closed out the Rangers with a perfect ninth for three batters and hit another while striking out his 20th save. fi ve over 106 pitches. Nationals relief pitcher Sean Doolittle took WHITE SOX 7, BLUE JAYS 6 the mound for Gonzalez and earned his seventh Matt Davidson delivered a two-out RBI single save of the season, the fourth since the Nation- in the ninth inning for the winning run as Chi- als acquired him from the Oakland Athletics. cago rallied from six runs down to beat Toronto. After Giancarlo Stanton grounded into a double Davidson’s single followed an RBI hit by Jose play, Christian Yelich singled and Marcell Ozu- Abreu off Roberto Osuna (3-2).Chicago, which na popped out to end the game, the Nationals has won on walk-off hits on back-to-back days, settling for a two-hit shutout. earned just its third victory in 17 games. National League East division leader Wash- The White Sox rallied in the eighth on back- ington improved to 63-41 with second-place to-back home runs by Davidson — who deliv- Miami, 49-55, falling 14 games behind the Na- ered a two-run shot — and Yolmer Sanchez to tionals. Washington scored the game’s only run pull within 6-5. Chris Beck (2-1) pitched a per- in the sixth inning. Brian Goodwin, who played fect ninth for the win. at nearby Miami Dade College, doubled off the wall in center, took third on Wilmer Difo’s sacri- ASTROS 14, RAYS 7 fi ce bunt and scored when Bryce Harper singled Jake Marisnick hit two homers and went 3-for- to left fi eld. 4 with fi ve RBIs as Houston hammered Tampa Bay. Rookie Derek Fisher homered and fi nished ORIOLES 2, ROYALS 1 3-for-5 with a walk and two RBIs for the Astros, Craig Gentry lined a walk-off single with two whose off ensive fi reworks provided ample sup- outs in the ninth inning to give Baltimore a vic- port for Charlie Morton (9-4). The right-hand- tory over Kansas City. Caleb Joseph started the er pitched six innings of two-run ball. winning rally with a one-out single off Joakim Corey Dickerson smacked two homers, his Soria (4-3).Joseph advanced to second on a two- 20th and 21st, and had three RBIs for the Rays. out single by Ruben Tejada. Gentry followed with a soft single to center for his fi rst walk-off Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts hits an RBI single during the fourth inning of the Major League Baseball match against the Cleveland Indians A’S 8, GIANTS 5 hit and Baltimore’s seventh walk-off win this at Fenway Park in Boston on Sunday night. (USA TODAY Sports) Marcus Semien hit his second career grand year. The Orioles won their third straight. The slam, powering Oakland to a victory against San victory was the 1,480th of Baltimore manager league-leading 34th homer as the Yankees im- fi rst win in almost a year, Mookie Betts drove in Nunez, playing his fourth game with Boston, Francisco in the opener of the Bay Bridge Series. Buck Showalter’s career, tying him with Earl proved to 12-6 since the All-Star break and won three runs, and Rafael Devers went 4-for-4 to had three hits and two RBIs as the Red Sox won The Giants led 3-2 through fi ve innings, but the Weaver for 24th on the all-time list. for the seventh time in eight games. power Boston over Cleveland. Fister, 0-5 with for only the third time in their past nine games. A’s surged ahead 6-3 on Semien’s slam in the Luis Severino (8-4) struck out eight while a 7.46 ERA in seven outings (four starts) with sixth off George Kontos. YANKEES 7, TIGERS 3 throwing fi ve innings of one-run ball. Aroldis Boston before the game, took a shutout into the PHILLIES 7, BRAVES 6 Jed Lowrie had three hits, including a dou- Chase Headley produced three hits, including a Chapman got the last two outs for his 13th save. eighth but was pulled after allowing a two-run Odubel Herrera homered and drove in three runs ble, drove in a run and walked once for the A’s. two-run double in a four-run fourth inning, as homer to Bradley Zimmer. to back a strong outing by starter Nick Pivetta Matt Joyce was 2-for-3, walked twice and scored New York beat Detroit. Todd Frazier delivered a RED SOX 6, INDIANS 2 Fister had lost 10 consecutive decisions dat- as Philadelphia completed a four-game sweep three runs. Ryon Healy had two hits and drove two-run single and Aaron Judge hit his major- Doug Fister pitched 7 2/3 strong innings for his ing back to his last win on Aug. 22. Eduardo of Atlanta and won its fi fth straight game over- in two runs.

BASEBALL ROUND-UP NFL Yankees land ace Gray in trade with A’s I don’t think any Reuters teams tank: Goodell New York ommissioner Roger RAVENS SIGN Goodell does not believe QUARTERBACK WOODRUM onny Gray is headed to the Big any NFL team tanks to The Ravens signed journeyman Apple. Gray is joining the Yankees enhance its draft posi- quarterback Josh Woodrum and after the former All-Star right- tion.C Goodell made a visit to the waived David Olson, the arena hander was traded to New York by New York Jets’ training camp in league quarterback who was theS Oakland Athletics ahead of Monday Florham Park, New Jersey and signed three days ago. afternoon’s non-waiver trade deadline. strongly stated teams would not Woodrum will serve as the No. The Athletics acquired outfi elder Dus- deliberately lose games. 3 quarterback behind Ryan Mal- tin Fowler, right-hander James Kapri- “I don’t think any team tanks, lett and Dustin Vaughan until elian and infi elder/outfi elder Jorge Mateo I really don’t,” Goodell told re- starter Joe Flacco returns from a in the deal. The Yankees also acquired porters when questioned about back injury. $1.5mn in international bonus money. the Jets, who parted ways with Gray, 27, went 6-5 with a 3.43 ERA and 11 veteran players during the JAGUARS’ ALBERT 94 strikeouts in 16 starts with Oakland off -season. ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT this season. The former No. 18 overall “I think teams, depending on Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle pick in the 2011 amateur draft spent his Sonny Gray. where you are, go through tran- Branden Albert announced fi rst fi ve-plus seasons with the Athletics, sitions. They are looking to sort his retirement from the NFL compiling a 44-36 record with a 3.42 ERA of say, ‘We need to build more after nine seasons and without and 607 strikeouts over 114 career out- talent here, we’ll do it through playing for his new team. The ings (112 starts). the draft. Let’s let some of our Jaguars acquired the 32-year-old Gray won 14 games in back-to-back veteran players go and develop Albert during the off season from seasons with the A’s in 2014 and 2015, some of our younger players.’” the Miami Dolphins for a 2018 with his 14-7 record, 2.73 ERA and 169 The Jets, who haven’t made the seventh-round draft pick. strikeouts earning him his lone All-Star playoff s since 2010, have been Albert, a starter in 118 of 120 selection in 2015. Over that two-year accused of sacrifi cing this sea- career games played and a Pro span, Gray posted a 28-17 record in 64 Yefry Ramirez to the Baltimore Orioles and 960 strikeouts in 122 career starts, WHITE SOX’S MONCADA HURT IN son for a high draft pick in 2018. Bowl selection in 2013 and 2015, starts with a 2.91 ERA and 352 punch outs, in exchange for international bonus pool all with Texas. Darvish led the American COLLISION WITH TEAMMATE was expected to compete with with a career-high 183 of those strikeouts money. League in strikeouts with a career-high White Sox rookie second baseman Yoan CHANCELLOR OPTIMISTIC rookie second-round selection coming in 2014. 277 in 2013. He originally signed with Moncada left Chicago’s game against ABOUT SIGNING Cam Robinson at left tackle. Al- CC Sabathia, who helped lead the Yan- DODGERS ACQUIRE PRIZED ACE the Rangers on Jan. 18, 2012 after spend- the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday on a CONTRACT EXTENSION bert, who missed the voluntary kees to their most recent World Series DARVISH FROM RANGERS ing seven seasons with the Nippon Ham stretcher after colliding with teammate Seattle Seahawks strong safety portion of the Jaguars’ off season title in 2009, believes the team is knock- Yu Darvish is on the move, after all. Fighters in Japan. To create room on the Willy Garcia. Garcia, the right fi elder, Kam Chancellor is optimistic program in an unsuccessful ef- ing on the door of another championship Minutes after Darvish posted a picture 40-man roster for Darvish, the Dodg- charged a shallow fl y ball from Toronto’s about signing a contract exten- fort to renegotiate his contract, now that Gray is in the fold. “We’re back of himself standing next to his Rangers ers designated infi elder/outfi elder Mike Darwin Barney and was sliding in a bid sion before the start of the 2017 participated in the mandatory to the same old Yankees,” Sabathia told locker on Twitter, Texas traded the four- Freeman for assignment. to make the catch when Moncada’s right season. Chancellor is entering three-day minicamp in June. reporters on Monday. “The goal is to win time All-Star to the Los Angeles Dodgers Los Angeles also acquired left-hand- knee struck Garcia in the head. the fi nal year of his current deal. the World Series. We’re here now.” on Monday. The Japanese-born right- ed relief pitcher Tony Watson from the Barney ended up with a three-run dou- “I think it’s been positive on PACKERS ADAMS OUT Neither Fowler, 22, or Kaprielian, 23, hander posted a caption of “10min!!!” Pittsburgh Pirates for right-handed ble as both Moncada and Garcia remained both ends,” Chancellor said. WITH A FOOT INJURY will be able to make instant impacts with his Twitter selfi e, a reference to pitcher Angel German and infi elder Oneil down on the fi eld. “Hopefully, it’ll get done any Green Bay Packers rookie defen- within the Oakland organization, as both Monday’s impending 4pm ET non-waiv- Cruz. Watson, 32, went 5-3 with a 3.66 Moncada was taken from the fi eld on time now. Both sides have sive lineman Montravius Adams are currently sidelined with injuries. er trade deadline. ERA and 10 saves over 47 relief apper- a stretcher with what the team later said been very productive working will be out “multiple weeks” of Fowler underwent season-ending knee Texas received outfi elder Willie Cal- ances this season with the Pirates. was a knee contusion, while Garcia left together and just waiting to see training camp with a foot injury, surgery and Kaprielian is recovering from houn, right-hander AJ Alexy and infi eld- Additionally, the Dodgers landed vet- the game under his own power. Moncada, what’s happening.” Chancellor coach Mike McCarthy said. The Tommy John surgery. er Brendon Davis in exchange for Darvish. eran left-handed reliever Tony Cingrani who was called up from Triple-A earlier held out for all of training camp injury is a stress fracture and Mateo, 22, thanked the Yankees’ or- Darvish, 30, bolsters a red-hot Dodgers in a deal with the Cincinnati Reds. The this month, is hitting.105 with a homer and the fi rst two games of the Adams may need to have a screw ganisation in a tweet after the trade was squad that boasts the best record in the 28-year-old Cingrani was 0-0 with a and six runs-batted-in in 12 games for 2015 season as he hoped to get inserted to help the healing completed. “I would like to thank the majors (74-31) and is currently without 5.40 ERA in 25 relief apperances with Chicago. his contract renegotiated at that process. Yankee organisation for the opportunity injured ace Clayton Kershaw (back). He Cincinnati before the trade. Texas made Garcia is batting.258 with two homers point. However, the Seahawks The 6-foot-4, 305-pound they gave me. I also want to thank all is 6-9 with a 4.01 ERA and 148 strikeouts one other lesser deal before the deadline, and 11 RBIs in 40 games. The Blue Jays held fi rm with their stance of third-round pick from Auburn the Yankee fan for there support,” Mateo through 22 starts this season. shipping right-hander Jeremy Jeff ress to scored three runs in the inning to take a not wanting to set a precedent of dropped out of camp after the wrote on his Twitter account. In fi ve major league seasons, Darvish the Milwaukee Brewers for right-hander 6-0 lead but the White Sox rallied to win ripping up contracts with three second day of practice and has New York also traded right-hander has posted a 52-39 record with a 3.42 ERA Tayler Scott. the game 7-6. years remaining on the books. not worked in pads. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, August 2, 2017 SPORT

NFL NBA Snell signs new As friends retire, Jason four-year, $44mn Witten’s drive hasn’t deal with Bucks By Matt Velazquez Snell thrived in his larger role, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel adding some much-needed out- side shooting to the Bucks’ ar- senal. He averaged 8.5 points, diminished in 15 years hen free agency 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per kicked off July 1, the game while shooting 45.5 percent Milwaukee Bucks overall and 40.6 percent from swiftly moved to lock three-point range. ‘I don’t think it’s dwindled at all. In fact, I think his drive is greater than it’s ever been’ Wup restricted free-agent wing His 58.8 percent eff ective Tony Snell, agreeing to terms on a fi eld-goal percentage – a value in four-year, $44 million deal. There which three-point shooting car- was no need for theatrics, drawn- ries added weight – was the best out discussions or waiting. Dur- on the team. ing Snell’s one season in Mil- One of the reasons Snell fi t waukee, both sides had made it so well was he didn’t need the clear to one another that their fi t ball much on off ense. Rather, he together was perfect and neither benefi ted from the creativity of wanted to split any time soon. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Mal- About a month after the verbal colm Brogdon, Matthew Del- agreement, Snell offi cially signed lavedova and the team’s other his new contract on Monday. ball-handlers, providing them It reportedly includes a player with a consistent outlet, espe- option after the third year and cially on the perimeter. Most of reachable incentives that would Snell’s points (5.5 per game) and push his total earnings to $46 two-thirds of his shots came on million. “It was kind of set in catch-and-shoot opportunities stone when the team reached out – both the most on the team. to me,” Snell said Monday. In addition to his role on of- “They told me how important fense, Snell often drew the I was to the team and I felt real toughest assignments on defense welcome here. I’m happy being and handled himself well. here. The organisation supports His versatility and consistency me and I support them. I think meant the Bucks could shift him it’s right that I stayed.” as needed and allow other play- Snell arrived in Milwaukee ers, like Antetokounmpo and in the trade that sent Michael Middleton who expend more Carter-Williams to Chicago last energy on off ense, to have a rela- October. tively less-challenging assign- The Los Angeles native and ment on defense. University of New Mexico stand- Snell’s quiet nature and will- out left a situation where he was ingness to fi t any role made him seldom used in his fi rst three sea- a great fi t in the locker room. sons and didn’t have many pros- Early in the off -season, multiple pects for making an impact had teammates expressed that they he stayed with the Bulls. wanted him back. His opportunities changed “Most of my Bucks teammates drastically upon joining the reached out and I met a couple in Bucks. With Khris Middleton out person and it just worked out,” for most of the season with a torn Snell said. “I feel like it’s a family left hamstring, Snell immedi- here. I feel great here.” ately earned a spot in the starting The changes in the Bucks’ rotation and never left – starting front offi ce – most notably John all 80 regular-season games he Hammond leaving as the general played as well as Milwaukee’s six manager in May and Jon Horst playoff contests. ultimately taking his place just “I feel it was a fresh start with days before the draft – didn’t what I was going through down bother Snell. He knew Horst and By Drew Davison started (213) and most consecutive games in later this week when the Cowboys awarded a golf cart at training camp. there,” Snell said. “Everything felt comfortable with him. Fort Worth Star-Telegram played (219). The list continues to grow. open their preseason Thursday night in At the end of the day, Witten feels his happens for a reason. I was with Most importantly, he still felt He should add a couple of more early the Hall of Fame game, with owner Jerry biggest edge for the season is developed a lot of great vets playing down the same high level of apprecia- in the regular-season. He’ll pass Michael Jones being inducted into the Hall on Sat- in the off season. “I love going and study- there; I was learning from them, tion from the organisation as a allas Cowboys tight end Jason Irvin for most receiving yards in franchise urday. “I’d be lying to say that’s not one of ing fi lm and watching areas where we can watching them the whole time. whole and recognised he was Witten hasn’t changed his ap- history – he is only 16 yards shy of tying the things you hope as a player, you come improve and getting in there and talking ... I tried to carry that over here.” their top priority in free agency. proach in 15 years. His drive Irvin’s record 11,904 – and is one game in, that just to be mentioned with those ball with your teammates,” Witten said. to be among the best remains away from tying Ed Jones’ record of 224 guys is such an honour,” Witten said. “I “When I lose that drive, A, I shouldn’t be asD strong as ever. Witten has been going games played. think I’ll have plenty of time to refl ect on playing, but B, I’m not going to be as good through the repetitive and mundane drills Those numbers are why Witten already it, being there. That’s the highest honour, because that’s my whole game is un- of a training camp practice for years, but has Hall of Fame credentials. But Witten individually. derstanding coverages and leverage and an outsider couldn’t tell. There is no lax is more concerned about winning a Super “Obviously we don’t play for that. But, techniques. To me it works hand in hand. mode when it comes to Witten. Bowl, which has always been the under- individually, that’s what you hope you “It’s not always easy for me. There’s a He jogs onto the practice fi eld every day lying reason for his daily drive. can be a part of. They don’t let anybody lot of days when I’m sore trying to keep when others might walk. He goes through He’s not ready to walk away from the slip through the cracks.” up with these guys in the off season. But every drill with intensity. He continues game quite yet, even though he’s seen Said Garrett: “I don’t think there is any it’s paying off for me.” to be the veteran coaches tell the younger friends DeMarcus Ware, Tony Romo and doubt in my mind that he’s a Hall of Fame It’s that mentality that has helped Wit- players to follow. Doug Free do so just this past off season. tight end. He’s one of the best tight ends ten become one of the top tight ends of his There’s no worry that his drive is wan- “As I was refl ecting, I was overwhelmed to ever play this game, and certainly the generation and motivated his teammates ing as he enters the fi nal stages of what with joy knowing that this game provided best of his generation in my view, and in the process. Everybody still looks to many consider a Hall of Fame career. relationships like that,” Witten said. “In such a complete player.” “82” as the leader of the Cowboys. “I don’t think it’s dwindled at all,” saying that, I’m also excited about the As Witten alluded to, though, a cham- “Man, this guy is phenomenal,” receiv- coach Jason Garrett said. “In fact, I think new bonds I’ve been able to form and pionship is what keeps him going. Much er Dez Bryant said. “If you can’t get mo- his drive is greater than it’s ever been.” grow with that. It’s an interesting rela- like his former quarterback Romo, Witten tivated just by watching him, something Witten, 35, is given “veteran” treat- tionship that I fi nd myself in with these has been plagued by playoff shortcom- is wrong with you. We understand that’s ment by the coaching staff with a day off guys. It’s a lot of fun. It really is. ings. He has only been part of two playoff our No. 1 leader. once a week. He’s among six veterans who “I think the common ground is that we wins in eight career postseason games, “If you want to know how to do some- didn’t practice Monday. But that has been love football and the drive that we have to and has yet to advance as far as the NFC thing right, just look at Wit. The people earned throughout his career. chase something special together is what Championship. love him. The coaches love him. The staff Witten already owns a handful of fran- I’ve enjoyed so much with this group.” Witten would like to change that chap- members love him. Our neighbours love chise records. He has the most career A coveted Super Bowl remains the pri- ter of his football book. That’s why he is him. I live down the street from Wit, eve- receptions (1,089), most consecutive ority. Witten, however, admitted the idea consistently among the most improved rybody loves him. At the end of the day games with a reception (130), most games of being enshrined in Canton might creep players throughout the off season and that’s what you want to follow.” Tony Snell had the best season of his four-year NBA career in 2016-17.

RUGBY ROUND-UP Peyper gets Super Rugby fi nal nod despite ‘neutral’ call AFP “I’d love a neutral referee,” he said. at the prospect of joining the Highland- 18 games in his two seasons. Wellington “Look it’s not my decision, but in my ers, who won the competition in 2015 A serious knee injury sidelined him opinion it’s more around what’s best for and were quarter-fi nalists this year. for most of the current season which the game. Let’s get the best neutral ref, I “The club has become a consistent wraps up with Saturday’s fi nal between outh Africa’s Jaco Peyper was just think it’s fair.” performer at the top of the competition the Lions and Canterbury Crusaders in yesterday named as referee for Peyper was also at the centre of con- in recent years and we look forward Johannesburg. “I had a very enjoyable the Super Rugby fi nal as offi cials troversy last week when he sin-binned to the challenge of growing our game two seasons at the Brumbies and thank shrugged off calls for a neutral Hurricanes fl y-half Beauden Barrett at and achieving great things,” he said. everyone connected with the club for whistle-blowerS and a yellow-card con- a key stage of their semi-fi nal against Mauger, 36, played 45 Tests for New their support during my time here,” the troversy in the semis. Governing body the Lions in Johannesburg. Replays Zealand and made 89 appearances for 28-year-old said in a statement. SANZAAR said Peyper’s appointment suggested the punishment was harsh the Canterbury Crusaders. Cubelli played in the Brumbies’ was purely “merit-based” after putting but the Lions took full advantage, scor- After a chronic back injury forced quarter-fi nal defeat to the Hurricanes him in charge of Saturday’s fi nal be- ing 17 points to seize the lead while Bar- him to hang up his boots in 2010, he two weeks ago but Canberra fans may tween South Africa’s Golden Lions and rett was off the fi eld in the second half. was an assistant coach with the Cru- have another chance to see him when New Zealand’s Canterbury Crusaders “It was a pretty tough decision saders before joining the coaching team the Pumas play a Rugby Championship in Johannesburg. against Beauden,” former Springboks at Leicester Tigers in 2015. Outgoing match against the Wallabies in the Aus- “The selection criteria for all match coach Nick Mallett said on SuperSport Highlanders coach Tony Brown was tralian capital in September. offi cial appointments for the last two TV at the time. On Saturday, Peyper always on a one-year deal for 2017 and Cubelli’s departure will heap more years follows a clear tournament pol- will have fellow South African Marius will now join Jamie Joseph as an as- responsibility on young scrumhalf Joe icy that such appointments be merit- van der Westhuizen and New Zealander sistant in the Japanese national team’s Powell, who acquitted himself well in based,” SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos Glen Jackson as his assistants, while coaching set up. the Argentine’s absence and made his said in a statement. He added that New South Africa’s Marius Jonker is the tel- Wallabies debut during the June in- Zealand’s Glen Jackson refereed last evision match offi cial. ARGENTINA SCRUMHALF CUBELLI ternationals. The Brumbies have also year’s fi nal between the Lions and the HEADS HOME TO JOIN JAGUARES released journeyman fl anker Chris Al- Hurricanes in Wellington, when the EX-ALL BLACK MAUGER Argentina scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli cock, with the former New South Wales home team lifted the trophy. Some ex- TO COACH HIGHLANDERS will head home to link up with Su- Waratah and Western Force player perts have questioned the wisdom of Former All Blacks centre Aaron Mauger per Rugby’s Jaguares after an injury- heading to Japan. using referees from the same country was appointed head coach of the Otago blighted stint with the ACT Brumbies, World class fl anker David Pocock is as one of the teams involved, with Cru- Highlanders yesterday under a three- the Canberra team said. The 58-test set to fi ll the breach next season when saders coach Scott Robertson among year deal with the New Zealand Super halfback was lured to the Brumbies in he returns to Canberra following a those calling for the “best neutral ref”. Rugby club. Mauger said he was excited 2016 to much fanfare but managed only year-long sabbatical. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 2, 2017 7 SPORT

ATHLETICS SPOTLIGHT ‘Underdog’ Bolt Thiam the one to watch ready to fi re in in worlds heptathlon

Reuters Stephanie Noel said yesterday. 100m defence London “She has great powers of concentra- tion and knows she needs to be at her best in all seven disciplines. But we all ‘The last race I ran was 9.95sec, which shows I’m going in the right direction’ afi ssatou Thiam might have know that to get gold is always a dif- been a surprise gold medal- fi cult task,” Noel told the Belga news list in the heptathlon at last agency. year’s Olympic Games, but Thiam has also entered the women’s Na record-breaking performance two high jump, as she did in Rio only to months ago suggests Rio was no fl uke withdraw later. Her jump of 1.98m in and she’ll be the one to watch in the Gotzis was the third best of the year. World Athletics Championship this She notched a total of four personal weekend. bests at the Austrian meeting in the In Rio de Janeiro, the 22-year-old 200m, 800m, 100m hurdles and jave- ended the long dominance of Jessica lin, after which she said: “It was an Ennis-Hill in a stunning upset that amazing competition, it’s really unbe- seemed to leave the Belgian more sur- lievable. I came to see where my form is prised than the spectators. at, and I was a little bit scared as I felt a But any doubts about the validity little elbow problem in the javelin, but I of her achievement were dispelled in was able to relax thereafter.” May when she racked up a massive 7013 She recently revealed that she took points at a meeting in Gotzis in Austria gold in the Olympics despite torn liga- to go third on the all-time list for the ments in her elbow that left her in ob- event. vious distress after her javelin throws. It means Thiam will go into the World Thiam, who is studying geography at Championships in London, which start university, could end Belgium’s lengthy on Friday, as favourite for top podium wait for a gold at the World Champion- spot in the seven-discipline event. ships, held every two years since start- The gruelling schedule begins early ing in Helsinki in 1983. on Saturday with the 100 metre hurdles The country’s fi rst silver came in Be- and concludes on Sunday evening with ijing two years ago when Philip Milanov the 800m race. fi nished second in the men’s discus to “Nafi is really serene and knows what add to a scant tally of four bronze med- she must do,” Belgian athletics offi cial als from 1987 to 2011.

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt gestures during a press conference in London yesterday. (AFP)

AFP unbeaten in an individual event, un- they’re 15, that I’m still the best,” he world record holder growing up, I had London beatable, unstoppable — for me that joked. no idea. would be the best headline! “Anything’s possible, you’ve just “If I show up at a championships 200M IN 2008 THE BEST got to put it in your head and work for amaican sprint legend Usain you know I’m fully confi dent and In a glitzy press conference organised by it. There are no words to explain what Bolt labelled himself the un- ready to go, and my coach, I’m ready his long-term sponsors Puma and host- I’ve done over the years, and I’m really derdog as he seeks to round off to go.” ed by Welsh ex-hurdler Colin Jackson, proud of myself.” his glittering individual track Bolt refused to single out who would Bolt picked out his then-world record Sprinting has been mired by dop- BOXING careerJ with the defence of his world be his closest rival for the 100m, with breaking victory in the 200m at the Bei- ing over the years, and track and fi eld’s 100m title this week. heats on Friday before the semi-fi nal jing Olympics in 2008 as the stand-out governing body the IAAF has been on “That’s what I keep reading and and fi nal on Saturday at the same sta- performance of his career. the back foot over widespread state- what my team keeps telling me, so dium in east London where he won “It’s defi nitely Beijing (Olympics), sponsored doping in Russia, whose I’ve got to prove myself again,” the treble gold at the 2012 Olympics. the 200m, because I never knew I athletes were barred from the Rio Ol- Wu’s rivals take 30-year-old said in a warning shot “The seven people who are going could break the world record,” he said. ympics and will also miss London, to pretenders to his crown in the to be in that race with me, they’re the “That was my main dream growing although some have been cleared to blue riband event of the IAAF World biggest challengers,” he said. up — I always wanted to be Olympic compete as neutrals. Championships. Bolt has dominated sprinting since 200m champion. When I broke the But Bolt insisted the sport was on legal action to Bolt started this season in sluggish taking double individual gold at the record I didn’t know how to react.” the right path. form, running two 10sec-plus times Beijing Olympics in 2008, going on to And he insisted that motivation was “You can’t be happy about doping, before fi nally hitting some form at the win a further six Olympic golds and not lacking despite having devoted his but we’re doing a better job and are Monaco Diamond League. also picking up 11 world titles. life to the track since the age of 10. catching up and if you cheat, you will seize AIBA control “The last race I ran was 9.95sec, He also holds world records of 9.58 “Every year you fi nd something else get caught,” he said. which shows I’m going in the right di- and 19.19sec in the 100 and 200m, to motivate you,” he said. “I love com- “After the scandal on Russia, it AFP rection,” he said. both set when winning at the 2009 petition, I thrive on competition, and doesn’t get any worse than that. It’s on Lausanne “It’s a championships and the two Berlin worlds. I want people to run fast to push me. its way back up now. rounds always help me. I’ve been here Bolt admitted that he hoped his “I’m comfortable saying I’m a leg- “Hopefully, athletes will see what many times. It’s go-time, so let’s go!” records would last. end because I’ve proved myself. they need to do to make the sport go pponents to embattled He added: “Usain Bolt has retired “I want to brag to my kids when “I didn’t know I would be 100m forward.” amateur boxing chief Wu Ching-Kuo have begun legal proceedings in an attempt to seizeO control of ruling body the AIBA, BOTTOMLINE executive committee member Pat Fi- acco told AFP yesterday. “We’ve contacted a court in Kenya plots Worlds conquest without Rudisha Lausanne so that the running of the AIBA be handed over to the interim executive committee,” the Canadian Reuters perwork showing it had met Interna- medallist Evan Jager in the mix, along explained. Nairobi tional Association of Athletics Feder- with Moroccan Soufi ane El Bakkali, He added that Swiss justice could al- ations’ anti-doping conditions, after who won Diamond League events in ternatively choose to hand power of the missing two previous deadlines. Stockholm and Rabat. International Boxing Association to “a enya’s athletes were set to Kenya’s reputation for middle and Kiprop was also in a confi dent temporary administrator”. fl y out to London’s World long distance running has been tar- mood. “I am winning my fourth title The court has another option open to Swiss francs (4.4mn euros, $5.2mn) Championships yesterday, nished by failed doping tests among its (in London). Trust me. I have been to it — confi rming Wu in a position he has and a cumulated debt of 15mn Swiss their hopes for domination elite athletes, including former three- six World Championships. I have won held since 2006. francs,” Fiacco said, citing fi gures from Kbattered by the last-minute with- times Boston and Chicago marathon three times,” he said. The legal move comes in the wake audit fi rm KPMG. drawal of 800m Olympic champion winner, Rita Jeptoo, and Jemimah Rudisha would have been a particu- of last week’s no confi dence motion “We have been concerned about the David Rudisha with a quad injury. Sumgong, the fi rst Kenyan woman to larly strong attraction at the London against Taiwan’s Wu taken at a board mismanagement of the fi nance which Olympic 3,000m steeplechase run- win an Olympic marathon gold medal. Stadium, where he stunned the world meeting in Moscow. could result in bankruptcy. We feel that ner Conseslus Kipruto was aiming to With the paperwork fi led, attention by winning the 800m in a world record Wu has attacked what he described the AIBA president needs to be im- add a world title to the gold he won in has switched back to the 48-strong 1:40.91 at the 2012 Olympics. in an interview with AFP from Taiwan peached.” Rio last year — and three-time world team. “I have accepted my fate with a very on Saturday “a military coup” against Wu in his defence said on Saturday 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop has “As Olympic champion, this is what heavy heart and would like to wish the him. the organisation was in a sound fi nan- vowed to retain his crown in the games I have been waiting for. I would wish team well. They can still make it,” said Wu’s rivals have claimed that the cial state, with “over 10mn dollars” in that begin on Friday. to be crowned a world champion,” the 28-year-old who announced his AIBA is on the brink of bankruptcy and the bank and no debt. But Rudisha’s torn muscle robbed 22-year-old Kipruto told Reuters in withdrawal on Monday. last week set up an interim manage- Fiacco in reply suggested Wu was him of his chance to go for a third the capital, Nairobi. Julius Yego, world javelin champion, ment committee to take charge of the taking into account future revenue world title and gave his team a steeper “That will fulfi l my sentimental is also in the team, as is London mara- association pending the selection of a from the International Olympic Com- climb up the medals table, which it wish. Twice, I have been silver med- thon winner Daniel Wanjiru, Paris new president. mittee and from host cities of upcom- topped in Beijing two years ago. allist — 2013 in Moscow and 2015 in Marathon champion Paul Lonyangata Fiacco said they wanted Swiss justice ing world championships. “We cannot be overconfi dent, even Beijing. It would be great to be a world and Boston Marathon title holder Ge- to take “provisional measures” until Wu, an infl uential member of the if we have such a good team,” head champion.” off rey Kirui. October or November when an AIBA IOC’s executive commission, claims coach Julius Kirwa told Reuters on the He will be up against compatriot Among the women in the 800m are board meeting will vote on the no-con- the challenge to his authority is polit- eve of their departure. and two-time Olympic champion former world champion Eunice Sum fi dence motion. ically-based. He has good reasons to be cautious, Ezekiel Kemboi, who delayed retire- and Olympic bronze medallist Marga- According to Fiacco 16 of the 20 He believes he is being targeted be- given the political and legal distrac- ment after missing out in Brazil say- ret Nyairera. Two-time world cham- AIBA executive members support the cause of his reform push and singled tions that have swirled around the Conseslus Kipruto (left) and compatri- ing: “I must retire (from steeplechase) pion Edna Kiplagat will compete in the bid to oust Wu who is accused by his out former AIBA executive director Ho team in recent months. ot Ezekiel Kemboi (right) will compete as a champion.” marathon, along with Hela Kiprop and detractors of leaving the AIBA on the Kim of South Korea for seeking “re- Its participation in London was in the 3,000m steeplechase event at The fi eld will be even more com- Commonwealth Games winner Flom- brink of bankruptcy. venge” after his sacking over allega- cleared when offi cials fi nally fi led pa- the London World Championships. petitive with American Olympic silver ena Cheyech. “The AIBA’s debt this year is 5mn tions of fi nancial wrongdoing.

Wednesday, August 2, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING FOCUS Paris Olympic Stradivarius wins big Games aim to regenerate poor, on fi rst day of Qatar northeastern suburbs Goodwood Festival euros ($8.27bn), will leave be- Reuters Bobigny, France hind two permanent new devel- QREC GM al-Kaabi and board member al-Ali present trophies to winners opments, both of them in Seine- Saint-Denis. Agencies he most deprived de- They are the Olympic Village Chichester, United Kingdom partment in France is itself, which will be converted expected to be a big win- after the games to provide more ner now Paris is in line than 3,500 homes, and a swim- tradivarius overhauled Big Orange Tto host the 2024 Olympics with ming centre to stand alongside in the Goodwood Cup yesterday thousands of homes and a new the Stade de France stadium, to deny the favourite a record swimming centre to be built built for the 1998 football World third consecutive triumph in the in Seine-Saint-Denis for the Cup, now to be reborn as the Ol- race.S games. ympic Stadium where track and The performance continued an excel- The poorest of France’s 101 fi eld athletes will compete. lent few days for trainer John Gosden, mainland departments, Seine- who also saw Enable power to a stunning Saint-Denis sprawls east and ‘SAME IN SPORT’ victory in the King George VI and Queen north from Paris, much of it a At a run-down local pool that Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday, and was drab expanse of grey suburbs, will be transformed into a water the third of four wins for jockey Andrea abandoned factories and poverty. polo venue, children splashed Atzeni on the opening day of the ‘Glori- Paris learned on Monday that as they played during a visit by ous Goodwood’ festival. it was a near certainty to be the Reuters. “Sport brings people Under Frankie Dettori, Big Orange IOC’s chosen host for the 2024 together,” said sports activity led from the front in trademark style in games when its only remaining leader Jose Defaria, aged 22. the two-mile feature, but three-year- rival, Los Angeles, agreed to wait “Even if we don’t come from old Stradivarius, 6-1 second-favourite, another four years. Budapest, the same social background, I snuck down the inside rail to win by a Boston, Hamburg and Rome had think we’re the same in sport, we length and three-quarters. all pulled out of the race. are brought closer together and “He’s not the biggest of horses and he “La Joie est Libre! (Joy we make links and it’s good for got knocked about a bit,” said Gosden. Ahead!),” said the front-page everyone. It’s a win-win for eve- “Andrea didn’t panic. He stayed that headline of L’Equipe sports ryone involved.” well and he’s a lovely little horse.” newspaper, welcoming the news Paris 2024 — enthusiasti- Italian Atzeni had already scored with a play on words. A series of cally backed by the country’s aboard 7-4 favourite Expert Eye in the militant attacks frightened away tennis-playing new President Vintage Stakes, and pulled off a stunning many visitors from the French Emmanuel Macron — plans to late move on 50-1 shot Breton Rock to capital and city offi cials hope make the most of the city’s exist- claim the following Lennox Stakes. winning the bid will boost tour- ing sports facilities and take full He fi nished in style too on Shenanigans ism. advantage of its landmarks. (15-2) in the fi nal race, to make it a stag- Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi (left) applauds as jockey Andrea Atzeni (centre) lifts the gering four wins from fi ve rides. trophy after guiding Stradivarius to Qatar Goodwood Cup victory at the Qatar Goodwood Festival yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim “I was speaking to Mr Gosden before the race and I said if I get the chance to convinced the result would be reversed, challenge Big Orange I wanted to keep and that proved to be the case. Third- away from him as he fi ghts,” he said. placed Khairaat was beaten a further “He’s improving and picked up like a three-quarters of a length. nice horse. He could be anything.” It is rare that Sir Michael Stoute uses QREC general manager Nasser bin such words as ‘exciting’ and ‘promis- Sherida al-Kaabi presented the trophies ing’ about one of his two-year-olds, but to the winners. he slipped in a couple following victory “Day 1 of the Qatar Goodwood Festival for Expert Eye in the G2 Qatar Vintage was as expected in terms of strong per- Stakes. formance and successful organisation, Expert Eye, a favourite, owned and bred especially as the Festival has become a by Khalid Abdullah and ridden by Atzeni, landmark in the UK’s racing scene,” said romped to an easy win, scoring by four al-Kaabi. and a half lengths and three-quarters of “The participation of a number of Qa- a length from Zaman and Mildenberger. tar’s horses in the festival is a good sign, The winner was making his second ap- which refl ects the keenness of horse owners pearance having won on debut at New- to compete in this type of races. In addition, bury in June. Organisers of the games say Boxers will compete alongside competing with horses of a higher level is in Breton Rock came fast and very late to their aim to lift Seine-Saint- tennis players at the clay court favour of Qatar’s horses, who need such op- mow down his rivals and land the G2 Qa- Denis’s fortunes helped their French Open tennis venue, Ro- portunities in order to assess their level and tar Lennox Stakes for trainer David Sim- case with the International Ol- land Garros, on the city’s west- performance and what is required for them cock and owner John Cook. ympic Committee (IOC). ern fringe, while the nearby clubs to win in future events. Atzeni overcame an outside draw by Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club board member Khalid bin Mohamed al-Ali (left) pre- “Bearing in mind the symbol- Paris Saint Germain and Stade “The participation of Qatari compa- sitting in behind his rivals and then ask- sented the trophies for the winners of Qatar Lennox Stakes yesterday. ic and real divides which there Francais will host respective nies in the festival demonstrates their de- ing Breton Rock to accelerate wide in the sometimes still are between sports of soccer and rugby. sire to be involved in the event and their fi nal furlong. The response was electric as Paris and its suburbs, this young, Distance races on foot and bi- effi ciency whatever the circumstances the horse fi nished with such power that working class place, with young cycle will start and fi nish at the might be. I think the presence of such he won by half a length and a short-head people of all colours and all ori- Eiff el Tower, in whose shadow companies has demonstrated Qatar’s from Home Of The Brave and Suedois. gins allows us to say to the IOC the ever-popular beach volley- fi rm belief in consistent dedicated work QREC board member Khalid bin Mo- that these games are a wonderful ball competition will play out. away from any other infl uences. hamed al-Ali presented the trophies to opportunity to show that Paris Fencing and taekwondo will be “The Group 1 Qatar International the winners of this race. is bigger than Paris,” Stephane held under the majestic steel and Stakes for Pure Arabians will run tomor- “Qatar’s sponsorship of this prestig- Troussel, president of Seine- glass of the Grand Palais near row. It is the fi rst leg of the Doha Triple ious festival has contributed to success,” Saint-Denis, told Reuters. the Champs Elysees, and Paris Crown. We wish Qatar’s horses all the al-Ali said yesterday. Tony Estanguet, co-chair of Mayor Anne Hidalgo has bet her best in this race, especially as the running “We congratulate the winners of all the Paris bid, said: “We looked at reputation on the Seine river be- of a race for pure Arabians at this time of the races of the fi rst day. In the coming the success of the games in Lon- ing clean enough for open water the Festival every year promotes this type days, the excitement and thrill will inten- don and for sure, the fact that swimming in time for the games. of racing and presents an opportunity for sify with strong races. We, as Qataris, are London succeeded in leaving a pure Arabian horse owners to participate proud of sponsoring such a prestigious strong legacy, a physical legacy ATTACKS SCARED TOURISTS in more races,” concluded al-Kaabi. racing festival. We all work towards the in the east of London, was very Offi cial confi rmation due in Sep- The Qatar Goodwood Festival opened success of this wonderful event, which important for us.” tember would mean one of the with a winner for The Queen, but only af- gets better every year. world’s most visited cities can ter lots of drama and a stewards’ enquiry. “We look forward to the remaining NOT CONVINCED mark the centenary of the 1924 Her horse, Fabricate, shot trained days of the festival and to seeing Qatar’s Not all locals are sure of the bene- Paris Olympics with a repeat by Michael Bell, was beaten a head by horses fulfi lling our hopes in them. We fi ts however. Some have half an eye showing. Amongst the stars of bottom-weight Dark Red, but the last- are keen to benefi t from such races in on Stratford, a swathe of east Lon- those games was US swimming named horse veered to his left in the clos- order to promote and enhance racing in don that was redeveloped for the gold medallist Johnny Weismull- ing stages and bumped the runner-up. Qatar as a country with a long tradition in 2012 games, but where rising rents er who later became known for Adam Kirby, who rode Fabricate, was this area.” Stradivarius is led in to the winners’ enclosure after winning the Qatar Goodwood Cup. have pushed locals out of similarly his role in the Tarzan fi lms. created new housing there. Hoteliers are keen for a much- “When there is a lot of invest- needed shot in the arm. ACHIEVEMENT ment landlords will also take ad- Although hotel occupancy vantage by adding a bit, increas- rates are rising, up 7.2 percent ing the rents,” said Fode Abass at 76.9 percent in the fi rst half Toure, a 45-year-old resident of of this year, they are short of the Djelamer takes home President of the UAE Cup Bobigny. 80 percent rate hoteliers enjoyed “And even the restaurants will in 2014 before militant attacks Agencies try to increase prices of prod- scared off tourists. Ostende ucts because a lot of tourists will A successful Olympic legacy come,” he said. is far from assured for any city, Seine-Saint-Denis has a rep- with recent hosts enjoying con- jelamer made a successful re- utation as a Socialist bastion trasting fortunes. turn to the track when he won where the French Communist The legacy of the Athens the President of the UAE Cup Party and hard-left have a strong Games left derelict, run-down (Gr3 PA) in Ostende, Belgium, on presence. It was in the area arenas and unused stadiums. Monday.D where the deaths of two youths Four years earlier, Sydney used The Khalifa bin Hamad al-Attiyah- who were hiding from police in a the Games to develop an Olym- owned colt had not raced for a year. power station set off 2005 riots. pic Park which is now a thriv- On Monday, after cantering in the mid- Unemployment in and around ing commercial, residential and dle of the fi eld, he showed courage to surge its main towns of Saint-Denis sporting suburb. forward and edge out Al Shaqab Racing’s and Bobigny is approaching dou- Four years after Athens, Beijing Al Hayyem by a head. ble the national average at more aimed to use the games to show- “It is an excellent return after such a long than 18 %. Three out of 10 of its case itself as a progressive world absence,” trainer Alban de Mieulle said. 1.5-million-strong population power. London’s 2012 evoked a “He has always been a good horse and we Khalifa bin Hamad are immigrants, or the children feelgood factor before domestic are very happy. The program has not been al-Attiyah-owned of immigrants, mostly from Af- politics reversed that optimism. defi ned yet but he could run at Duindigt at Djelamer wins President rica, a similar proportion are In 2016, while Rio’s games lacked the end of August.” of the UAE Cup (Gr3 PA) classed as living in poverty. a certain lustre they underlined As a four-year-old, Djelamer had fi n- in Ostende, Belgium, on The Paris games — which have the South American nation’s ished second in the Qatar Silver Sword in Monday. a relatively modest budget by ability to deliver in the face of Doha and won a Gr3 in Duindigt last year. recent standards at around 7bn economic and social adversity.