WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 SPORTS Messi absent as tax fraud trial opens in Spain

BARCELONA: The trial of Argentina star Monday. Messi and his father are due to access to his September 2013 state- Lionel Messi on tax fraud charges take the stand on Thursday on the last ment to the judge. According to the opened yesterday in Spain in his day of the trial. Under Spanish law, a alleged statement published by the absence just days before Argentina’s defendant is not obliged to attend the Barcelona daily, the judge showed him first match in the Copa America against full trial if prosecutors seek a jail sen- several sponsorship contracts that he Chile. Messi, 28, and his father, Jorge tence of less than two years. Spanish signed, but he did not remember them. Horacio Messi, are accused of using a prosecutors are seeking a jail sentence “This is something that my dad man- chain of fake companies in Belize and of 22-and-a-half months for Messi and ages. And I trust him. I devote myself to Uruguay to avoid paying taxes on 4.16 his father if they are found guilty, plus playing football,” he reportedly said. “I million euros ($4.7 million) of Messi’s fines equivalent to the amount that was do what he tells me to do.” income earned through the sale of his allegedly defrauded. But any such sen- image rights from 2007-09. tence would likely be suspended as is Panama Papers They have been charged with three common in Spain for first offences carry- The income related to Messi’s image counts of tax fraud. The Barcelona court ing a sentence of less than two years. rights that was allegedly hidden hearing the case adjourned the trial at includes endorsement deals with Banco around noon local time (1000 GMT) ‘Dad handled the cash’ Sabadell, Danone, Adidas, Pepsi-Cola, after considering preliminary legal The Barcelona forward and his Procter & Gamble and the Kuwait Food questions because of the absence of defense team have argued that the play- Company. Questions over the player’s witnesses who had been due to appear, er’s father handled his finances without finances increased after Messi and his including Messi’s mother Celia Cuccitini. reporting to him, and that the striker was father were among those named in The trial will resume today at 10am not aware of any wrongdoing. “My dad April in reports by international media (0800 GMT) with testimony from the handled the cash,” Messi said in who received a vast trove of data and witnesses and experts. Messi had September 2013 when he was questioned documents leaked from a law firm planned to be in Barcelona for the start by a judge investigating the case at a based in Panama. GAVA: File photo shows Barcelona football star Lionel Messi arriving to the of the trial but a lower back injury he court in Gavia, a town on the outskirts of The two men opened a company in courthouse in the coastal town of Gava near Barcelona to face judges on tax suffered during a friendly against Barcelona where the footballer lives. Panama in June 2013, just after the evasion charges. — AFP Honduras last week prevented him from He reportedly told the judge at that allegations of tax fraud broke, to con- doing so, defense lawyer Javier hearing that he never looks at the con- tinue to hide income earned from but they said it was “totally inactive” teammates for the Copa America in the Sanchez-Vera said. tracts he signs. “I signed things, but I image rights from Spanish tax authori- and never had any funds. After winning United States. Argentina take on The Argentina captain was resting in never look at the contracts. I don’t ties, Spanish news site El Espanol a league and Cup double with defending champions Chile in their his hometown of Rosario, located 300 know what I sign,” Messi said according reported. The Messi family acknowl- Barcelona, the five-time World Player of first game of the tournament in kilometers north of Buenos Aires on to the daily El Periodico, which got edged the existence of the company the Year is due to join his Argentina California on Sunday, June 6.— AFP Footballer Pulido freed after fighting kidnapper

MEXICO CITY: Mexican football player Alan Pulido was rescued after he untied himself, punched one of his kidnappers and took away his phone to call police hours after his abduc- tion, authorities said Monday. Pulido, 25, cut his right wrist when he punched a glass pane on a door as he tried to flee before police found him at a home in his northeastern hometown of Ciudad Victoria late Sunday, Tamaulipas state prosecutor Ismael Quintanilla said. Pulido, who plays for Greek giants Olympiakos and was part of Mexico’s 2014 World Cup squad, was kidnapped late Saturday by four armed men as he returned from a party with his Alvaro Morata girlfriend in the crime-plagued region. The woman was allowed to leave, while Pulido was taken to a two-story house, where he eventually unbound his hands and found himself alone Morata eyes Real return with one of his abductors on the first floor, Quintanilla said. “They traded blows. (The MADRID: Juventus striker Alvaro Morata because of the contract,” Morata said. phone) belonged to the criminal. He takes it and will only return to Real Madrid if he is “I believe because of my characteristics, calls (emergency number) 066,” Quintanilla told guaranteed a starting role, he said yester- the Premier League could also be a great Imagen radio. “It all happened very quickly.” day. The 23-year-old Morata, named in destination. I’m not saying that I want to The police swooped in within minutes and Alan Pulido Spain’s Euro 2016 squad, is under contract leave Juventus, because it’s a team that I detained one suspect. When officers heard the with Juve until June 2020 but Real can can only say good things about. But going glass break, “they thought it was gunshots or tels have fought brutal turf wars for years. The Olympiakos thankful exercise a buy-back clause to re-sign him to the Premier League would not be a step something, and he thought that it was the other suspect who was arrested was from the neigh- Pulido’s kidnapping shocked his current and in July. “My wish is to succeed at Real back, on the contrary.” Morata, who helped (kidnappers) who were coming back,” the prose- boring state of Veracruz and was a member of former clubs. “We thank each and everyone of Madrid, that is clearly what I would like Juve reach the 2015 Champions League cutor said. Pulido had a bandage around his one of the gangs operating in Ciudad Victoria, you for your concern and prayers in these diffi- the most,” Morata told AS newspaper. “But final in his first year in Turin, has won two right hand when he appeared briefly at a news Quintanilla said. The kidnappers had called cult times,” Olympiakos said on Twitter after Real have great players and what I want is successive domestic doubles with the conference in the early hours of Monday. Pulido’s family twice to demand a six million Pulido was rescued. The striker played in the to play and feel important. Next season, I Italian club. “I’ve won everything that you Wearing a multicolor sleeveless shirt and shorts peso ($325,000) ransom. Federal police chief Greek Cup final on May 17 - his team lost to AEK, will play in the team which gives me the can win in Italy, several times,” he said. “I’ve as he stood alongside Governor Egidio Torre Enrique Galindo told Radio Formula that there 2-1 - before leaving for Ciudad Victoria. He most opportunities to do so.” Morata has grown as a player and as a person. I think Cantu, Pulido told reporters that he was “very was no violence during the rescue and that no signed a four-year contract with Olympiakos last also attracted interest from Premier I’m now a different player to the one that well, very well, thank God.” Officials said the ransom was paid to kidnappers who thought season, and scored four goals in six matches this League clubs. “There are offers from left Real Madrid. I believe I’ve proved that I injury was not serious. Pulido later took to they could have made a “nice profit.” season. Pulido previously played for Mexican England which are tempting, not just can play in a big team.”— Reuters Twitter to thank the authorities for their help The dramatic rescue is a major success for the club Tigres of Monterrey. He did not see any and to people for their prayers, which “helped us authorities in a state where the population is playing time in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and a lot during this terrible experience in our lives regularly terrorized by kidnappings and gun- was not called up for the Copa America which we don’t wish upon anyone.” fights in the streets of large cities. Some Centenario tournament, which starts this week. UEFA looks to Dec decisions Tamaulipas roads are so dangerous that the fed- His abduction brought back memories of the Thousands missing eral police sometimes escort travelers in protec- kidnapping of Argentine manager Ruben Omar to shape Champions League The abduction put a spotlight on the murders tive convoys. More than 5,500 people have dis- Romano in Mexico City in 2005. Romano, who and kidnappings afflicting the state, where thou- appeared in Tamaulipas, out of a total of around was coaching local club Cruz Azul at the time, GENEVA: UEFA is set to decide in the title-winner with entry to the sands of people have disappeared and drug car- 28,000 reported missing across Mexico. was rescued after 65 days of captivity.— AFP December on changing the Champions Champions League. League as Europe’s top clubs chase a new There are concerns that a too-pre- format and bigger share of the competi- dictable group stage turns off viewers, and tion’s billion-dollar annual income. Closed- that income - UEFA sales and top clubs’ Payet’s superb free kick lifts ‘Euro hosts’ door meetings of European soccer leaders share of it - is not keeping pace with expec- in Milan around Saturday’s Champions tations. The 32 group-stage clubs will share NANTES: West Ham’s Dimitri Payet scored a last- a pinpoint cross from Allan Nyom after some Premier League title, fired in a shot that went League final made slow progress shaping almost 1.3 billion euros ($1.4 billion) in gasp wonder free-kick to help Euro 2016 hosts slack defence from the restart. Paul Pogba saw a just wide of the Cameroon post after Ondoa had the competition for the three seasons from prize money from UEFA each season France snatch a dramatic 3-2 victory over header go just wide as France pressed a lively produced another goal-saving lunge at a close- 2018, The Associated Press was told. Talk of through 2018. Still, Juventus president Cameroon on Monday. The attacking midfielder Cameroon side. Nyom’s sliding tackle deflected a range Pogba effort. a breakaway Super League was fueled in Andrea Agnelli has noted that the 32-fran- stepped up on the stroke of regulation time to dangerous-looking opportunity for Matuidi, but Andre-Pierre Gignac blasted high and wide January by some wealthy members of the chise NFL gets much more TV revenue, curl a magnificent free-kick past Cameroon goal- the pressure finally told when Giroud pounced after pivoting smartly on the edge of the area. European Club Association (ECA) who saw despite a smaller core fan base and little keeper Fabrice Ondoa. France opened the scor- on a Pogba cross, side-footing it past the wrong- And Ondoa was left to showcase his fine form uncertainty over UEFA’s leadership during broad appeal outside the United States. ing through Paris Saint-Germain’s Blaise Matuidi footed ‘keeper Fabrice Ondoa. with an outstanding save. His resulting goalkick the FIFA presidential election. The Champions League final typically before Cameroon immediately drew level thanks Cameroon’s Aurelien Chedjou was given too beat everyone before being grounded by Though an American-style closed draws a global average TV audience of to Porto striker Vincent Aboubakar.Arsenal strik- much space down the right flank early in the Mohammed Djetei and centred for the league is thought unrealistic, one aim is around 170 million, compared to 110 mil- er Olivier Giroud handed the home side the lead second period, the Galatasaray defender’s hard unmarked Choupo Moting, who made no mis- making the current 32-team group stage lion in the U.S. for a Super Bowl. again just before half-time, Eric Choupo Moting cross-goal shot cleared by a covering Giroud. take past Lloris. But the game was not over, more attractive to the biggest clubs and Some clubs also look enviously at equalising before Payet’s cherry on the cake. Ondoa was on hand to keep Giroud out as play Payet stepping up to curl in a magnificent free- global TV viewers. Many fans, however, England’s Premier League which is watched “There are things we can improve but it was our shot back up the other end of the pitch after a kick past Ondoa. France, who play Scotland in sense a grab for power and money by clubs avidly worldwide. Last-placed Aston Villa’s first match after a long period without competi- defensive, retreating blunder by Chedjou. Metz on June 4 in their final warm-up match, like Real Madrid and Juventus that are share of TV rights - almost $100 million - tion for some players,” said France coach Didier N’Golo Nante, one of Leicester City’s stand-out open their Euro campaign against Romania on already rich and influential. UEFA’s election will outstrip Champions League winner Deschamps. performers as they marched to a shock English June 10.— AFP on Sept. 14, to finally replace its banned Real Madrid’s income from UEFA. Agnelli “It’s the first game that Adil Rami and Laurent president Michel Platini, is a key step for and Real Madrid official Pedro Lopez are Koscielny have played together in a long time Europe’s governing body to focus fully on members of both key groups which met at and we were up against a quality its biggest asset. Milan’s opulent Principe di Savoia hotel in team.”Cameroon played in a new system with The new president will lead a meeting recent days: UEFA’s club competitions com- power and speed in midfield and up front,” said of the policy-making executive committee mittee and the ECA executive board. Deschamps, adding: “I wasn’t expecting perfec- on Sept 15, but Champions League deci- Madrid president Florentino Perez declined tion, but the spirit is there.” Cameroon coach sions are foreseen for a December session to comment in Milan. Hugo Broos said: “For me the score is 2-2 in Nyon, Switzerland. “We need a format The UEFA club panel, including presi- because we were only beaten by a magnificent by the end of the year,” UEFA’s director of dential contender Michael van Praag of the free kick by Dimitri Payet, a real talent. “The play- competitions, Giorgio Marchetti, told The Netherlands, will advise the UEFA executive ers can be proud of their performance. I hope we AP in Milan. “We are consulting and we are committee. Agnelli and influential ECA keep this same spirit against Mauritania (African listening.” The July 20 entry deadline for chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge of Cup of Nations qualifier).” UEFA election contenders will also speed Bayern Munich also have seats at UEFA’s The first real chance of the game played at the debate, with the Champions League top table and should take part in the Nantes’ Beaujoire stadium came the way of format offering a campaign test for the December decision. The potentially divisive Cameroon’s Karl Toko Ekambi. Afforded far too next president. Champions League debate played out in much space, Toko Ekambi cut back in midfield Options include more guaranteed Milan after the two city clubs, AC and Inter, from the left wing and stroked a shot to the right entries for the strongest leagues, protected plus Manchester United - all winners in the of the goal. Hugo Lloris, captaining France for places for the biggest clubs, and playing past 10 years - again missed out on qualify- the 50th time, with only current coach Didier matches on Saturdays rather than midweek ing. However, English clubs seem happier Deschamps having notched up more games to appeal to Asian and American audi- with the present format and cash distribu- with the skipper’s armband (54), just turned the ences. Change is possible only every three tion by UEFA. Man United’s executive vice shot around his post with a fine full-length save. years. It must be agreed before UEFA’s chairman Ed Woodward also declined to Aboubakar then went close with a powerful retained agency, TEAM Marketing, can start speak with reporters after attending header that went just over the crossbar. selling Champions League and Europa Saturday’s ECA board meeting. It was left to Matuidi to open the scoring in League rights to broadcasters and sponsors The last match of the current the 21st minute, twisting to connect with for the next commercial cycle. In the last Champions League commercial contracts - Kingsley Coman’s cross and firing home a great NANTES: France’s midfielder N’Golo Kante (left) fights for the ball with Cameroon’s midfielder round of talks, for the 2015-18 cycle, the the final in May 2018 still does not have a first-time volley. Cameroon hit straight back, Sebastien Siani during the International friendly football match between France and Europa League was boosted by rewarding venue. —AP however, Aboubakar producing a great finish off Cameroon at the Beaujoire stadium, in Nantes on May 30, 2016. — AFP