WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017 SPORTS

FA under pressure over allegations against head coach

LONDON: English football’s ruling body 87,000 euros) from the FA, whose only “Yes, I believe it was and again I go last year-has also justified her accepting “Understandably, we share Eni’s con- the Football Association yesterday came criticism of Sampson was he could back to the definition,” she said in the money from the FA as being the cerns regarding what has occurred and under increasing pressure to hold improve his communication skills. answer to whether she thought it was a equivalent she would have received would fully support an open, transpar- another enquiry over allegations made However, yesterday the Professional racist remark, although she did not from an employment tribunal. ent and independent investigation into by women’s football star Eniola Aluko Footballers Association (PFA) said they include the allegation in her complaint The FA for their part are sanguine her experiences and any other incidents against England head coach Mark would support another enquiry after 30- last year. “I believe it was an about making the offer as they wanted which any of her team-mates may also Sampson. The FA through an independ- year-old Nigeria-born Aluko told the unfavourable comment made to me to avoid an employment tribunal hear- wish to raise. ent enquiry cleared Sampson, who BBC Sampson made a racist remark to that made me feel completely shocked ing which could have affected the “We feel that this is very important to recently guided England to the Euro her in 2014. and intimidated that was said to me preparations for the Euro and not to buy ensure that these serious issues are 2017 semi-finals which included a She claimed the 34-year-old told her because I’m of African descent,” added Aluko’s silence. properly dealt with and to also ensure famous win over bitter rivals Germany, to make sure her Nigerian relatives did the 103-times capped striker, who Gordon Taylor, the long-standing that an appropriate process is put in of racial discrimination, bullying and not bring the Ebola virus-which had scored 33 goals for her country. chief executive of the PFA, told Press place to give any other players the con- harassment of Aluko last year. swept west Africa but only to limited Sampson-who also guided England Association Sport in a statement he fidence to raise any similar issues. Aluko-who is a qualified lawyer-did effect in Nigeria which registered eight with Aluko in the side to the 2015 World would support another enquiry encom- “Finally, we continue to provide sup- not co-operate with the three month deaths compared to thousands in Sierra Cup semi-finals-denies he made any passing if needs be other women play- port for Eni and will do so for any other long enquiry, although she accepted Leone, Liberia and Guinea-to Wembley such comment to the Chelsea star. ers who believe they have suffered simi- member who requires our assistance in compensation of £80,000 ($100,000, for a match with Germany. Aluko-who made the complaint in May lar treatment. relation to this matter.” — AFP

AC Milan completes signing of Kalinic on 4-year deal

MILAN: AC Milan CEO Marco Fassone hint- old Kalinic from mid-June, and he missed ed the club has finished its summer spend- training last week as he attempted to push ing spree after signing its 11th player in this through the move. transfer window: Nikola Kalinic. Milan “I have to say this has been a long and signed Kalinic from Fiorentina on a one- difficult story, more than two months,” year loan deal with the obligation to buy, Fassone said. “We’re here because he with the Croatia forward penning a four- (Kalinic) wanted to become a Rossonero so year contract on Tuesday to June 30, 2021. strongly. He has a boundless and historic “With Nikola we’ve completed the team,” love for our shirt and that’s what allowed us Fassone said. Milan, which was bought by a to unlock this long negotiation that we had Chinese-led consortium in April, has spent with Fiorentina.” more than 200 million euros ($234 million) Kalinic, who also played for Blackburn in the offseason, signing players such as Rovers in the English Premier League, Leonardo Bonucci, Andre Silva, Ricardo moved to Italy in 2015 and had 33 goals in Rodriguez, Franck Kessie, Andrea Conti, 83 appearances for Fiorentina. He said he Hakan Calhanoglu, Lucas Biglia and Mateo preferred to do his talking on the pitch. Musacchio. Kalinic will wear the No. 7 shirt, which was “(Kalinic) is the player we wanted to worn by one of Milan’s best-ever forwards, complete the squad because he has experi- Andriy Shevchenko. ence and quality,” Fassono said. “We always No financial details were disclosed, but said we wanted to have a mix of young and reports say Milan will pay Fiorentina 25 mil- talented players and experienced ones, to lion euros ($29 million) for Kalinic. Milan, build a spine of experienced players. which last won the league in 2011, opened “We got Bonucci, we got Biglia, we got its Serie A campaign with a 3-0 win at Nikola, who completes the squad.” Milan Crotone. It also beat Shkendija 6-0 in the was in talks with Fiorentina for the 29-year- Europa League last Thursday. — AP

SHANGHAI: Shanghai SIPG’s Wu Lie (2L) celebrates after scoring a goal during the AFC Champions League quarter-final football match between Shanghai SIPG and Guangzhou Evergrande in Shanghai yesterday. Brazilian international Hulk scored one and made another as Shanghai SIPG Klopp feels the heat as all but sealed their spot in the AFC Champions League semi-finals with a 4-0 first-leg rout of Guangzhou Evergrande. — AFP

Liverpool eye group phase SOCCER LONDON: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp ‘3-0 WOULD BE NICER’ concedes his side are already feeling the “It’s brilliant when you get the ball and pressure this season ahead of the return you look up and you’ve got Sadio, Roberto Rampaging Hulk has Shanghai leg of their Champions League play-off (Firmino), Studge (Sturridge) in the first half against Hoffenheim today. and Mo (Salah) came on with big Dom Liverpool looked to have planted one (Solanke),” said the former Dundee United SIPG sensing Asian glory foot in the group phase after going 2-0 up left-back. in last week’s first leg in Germany, only for “It’s great to have the options. We’re not Mark Uth’s 87th-minute reply to bring fully up to speed yet, but we’re getting SHANGHAI: Brazilian international Hulk scored Hoffenheim right back into the tie. The five- there and when we are, we’ll be a threat.” one and made another as Shanghai SIPG all but time European champions needed a late Liverpool are bidding to reach the sealed their spot in the AFC Champions League Dortmund stand ground with Sadio Mane goal to see off Crystal Palace in Champions League group phase for only semi-finals with a 4-0 first-leg rout of the Premier League on Saturday and Klopp the second time since 2010. Guangzhou Evergrande yesterday. Barcelona target Dembele anticipates another knife-edge occasion at Their last participation in 2014-15 hav- Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Evergrande are on Anfield in mid-week. ing come to an end in the group stage, it is course to retain the BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund say they will not until this Sunday to meet Dortmund’s price. “We all have pressure and it’s a quick now over eight years since Anfield last (CSL) title but barring a miracle they are out negotiate with Barcelona over a price for The ongoing saga has seen Watzke join start always,” said Klopp, who reached the hosted a knockout-phase match in the of this quarter-final all-Chinese tie even with Ousmane Dembele as the clock keeps ticking calls for the transfer window to close on Champions League final with Borussia competition. the home leg to come. Shorn of key midfield- in their stand-off with the want-away winger. August 1, rather than at the end of the month. Dortmund in 2013. “You need to be there Elimination at the hands of European er Paulinho, the Brazilian who last week Dortmund suspended Dembele indefinitely “In the summer, the fans look forward to the immediately, deliver and all that stuff. The debutants Hoffenheim would represent a moved to Barcelona, Scolari’s men only woke on August 10 when the 20-year-old boycotted season and when it starts, it should be about difference this year is that it’s really hard. monumental setback for Klopp, who was up very briefly after the break but by then training in protest after the German club football, not this theatre,” he grumbled. “We all know a draw (against Palace), hired partly on the strength of his fine con- they were 2-0 down and their dreams of a rejected an initial bid from Barcelona. Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge two points instead of four or six, it doesn’t tinental record with Dortmund. domestic and continental double dead. Two The Spanish giants want to sign Dembele agrees. “UEFA (European football’s governing feel good, but you can sort it. “You can’t do But Liverpool’s fans will draw encour- second-half goals in as many minutes by and Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho to replace body) is already for it. The window should be this in a Champions League qualifier. This agement from the fact that in 14 previous Chinese international Wu Lei, one fed by Hulk, Neymar, who left for Paris Saint-Germain for a closed when the leagues start, otherwise it’s a intensity is really hard, for both teams.” European home games against German put the tie out of sight. record 222 million euros ($261 million). bit strange,” he said. Having lost Robert Klopp made five changes to his starting teams, their team have never been beaten. Scolari, who repeatedly shook his head at However, Dembele has a Dortmund contract Lewandowski in 2014 on a free-transfer to XI for the 1-0 victory over Palace, with Hoffenheim geared up for the trip to Monday’s pre-match press conference after rain until 2021 and reports claim the Germans arch rivals Bayern, all Dortmund stars are now debutant Andy Robertson, Ragnar Klavan, Liverpool with a 1-0 win at home to Werder played havoc with his training plans, revealed want 130 million euros for the player they paid on water-tight contracts, which are regularly Joe Gomez, James Milner and Daniel Bremen on Saturday, courtesy of a deflect- after the match that the air conditioning in the just 15 million euros to Rennes last year. extended. Dortmund’s stance with Dembele is Sturridge coming into the side. ed shot from substitute Andrej Kramaric in away changing room at Shanghai Stadium was “We are prepared to sell him and what we a warning to any of their top players who Having started on the bench, Dejan the 84th minute. broken. “We are in a sauna!” the Brazilian veter- want is on the table,” confirmed Dortmund’s might be tempted by big-name clubs. Lovren, Emre Can and star signing “I wouldn’t say no if a few deflected an coach exclaimed to the press in English, with CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, putting the ball Particularly top scorer Pierre-Emerick Mohamed Salah are all expected to return goals fly in today,” said head coach temperatures hovering around 33 degrees firmly in Barcelona’s court. “When it’s not met, Aubameyang, who has made it clear he wants to the starting line-up against Julian Nagelsmann, who led Hoffenheim to a Celsius (91 Fahrenheit) in the city even as night Dembele will stay with us. “We will not negoti- to play for Real Madrid one day. Dembele’s Nagelsmann’s Hoffenheim. Young right- best-ever fourth-place finish in the fell. He refused to blame the defeat on that but ate.” Last week, no sooner had Barcelona’s gen- attitude has been widely condemned in back Trent Alexander-Arnold could also Bundesliga last season. his Evergrande side did feel the loss of eral manager Pep Segura said they were Germany, where there is a suspicion that the “close” to a deal with Dembele than Watzke 20-year-old’s behaviour has been heavily influ- return, having been rested against Palace “A 2-0 win is the big plan. A 3-0 would Paulinho, he said. “SIPG deserved the win fired back things “had not moved forward one enced by the Spanish giants. after setting Liverpool en route to victory in be nicer.” Nagelsmann rested six of the tonight,” added Scolari, who like opposite num- Sinsheim with a memorable 25-yard free- team who started against Liverpool last millimetre”. “If Barcelona are behind it, then I have no ber Andre Villas-Boas is a former Chelsea man- kick Liverpool are likely to still be without week, including burly striker Sandro respect for the club,” Bayern Munich president ager. “Hulk is very strong, he has pace and he Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho, the Wagner and Germany winger Serge BACK IN FRANCE Uli Hoeness said scornfully. Germany’s head subject of three unsuccessful bids from Gnabry. creates a lot of chances. He’s very threatening.” Dembele has already quit his accommoda- coach Joachim Loew says Dortmund are tak- Barcelona, who continues to nurse a back Kramaric, who squandered an early tion in Dortmund and moved back to France. ing the correct stance over Dembele. “I simply problem. But Robertson believes the fire- penalty in the first leg, only came on for the MUSCULAR MENACE However, if he fails in his bid to join Barcelona condemn it when a player who has a contract power on show against Palace demonstrat- last 25 minutes, but in a potential good In the formidable form of Hulk, SIPG had a Watzke says he will have to eat significant goes on strike and says that he wants to ed the strength in depth in Liverpool’s omen for today, he managed to make his forward who was a muscular menace through- humble pie with the Borussia squad. change clubs,” said Germany’s World Cup-win- attacking unit. presence count. — AFP out. Twice early on he shot weakly at He was banned when Dortmund romped ning coach. “It is absurd when contracts are no Evergrande goalkeeper Zeng Cheng and mid- to a 3-0 win at Wolfsburg on Saturday in the longer worth anything. “Dortmund’s stance is way through the first half he was snuffed out by opening Bundesliga match of the new season. absolutely right.” With Liverpool chasing the overworked Zeng. Next Hulk teed up the Christian Pulisic, Dembele’s replacement on Dortmund’s US international Christian Pulisic, 60-million-euro man Oscar, his fellow Brazilian the right wing, scored and set up a goal in a Borussia must show their players who’s who had a quiet game, but he too shot straight superb display. boss, added Hoeness. “You have to show your at Zeng. Officially, Watzke says Barcelona have until strength as a big club, like Borussia Dortmund, Then Oscar saw a right-footed curler from August 31, when the transfer window closes, either they get what they are asking for or, if distance whistle past Zeng’s far post. Scolari to raise their offer. However, German daily Bild not, then he stays. “You have to show every- spread his arms out in despair on the sidelines claim they have told Barcelona that they have one who is lord in the house.” — AFP and gestured to his defence to engage their brains. But they didn’t and after attacking mid- fielder Wu went over under minimal contact in the box, Hulk stepped up to ram home the penalty on 38 minutes. It was his seventh goal in the Champions League this season. On the brink of half time Villas-Boas’s men made it 2-0, skipper Wang Shenchao popping up at the backpost to bundle the ball in. No doubt Scolari gave his men a half-time grilling and Evergrande, two-time Champions League winners, started the better in the sec- ond period. But Wu punished them with just over an hour on the clock with a classy solo effort and on 64 minutes he scored again after being played in by the rampaging Hulk for 4-0 and game over. “Excellent performance, great attitude from the players. We proved our power and ambi- tion,” said Villas-Boas, whose SIPG has hit a rocky patch of form in the CSL to drop out the domestic title race. “The referee should have sent off two Evergrande players, but he forgot,” ANFIELD: File photo shows Liverpool’s Sadio Mane, right, celebrates his goal with man- deadpanned the Portuguese, without saying AMSTELVEEN: Marie Mavers (L) of Germany vies with Hannah Matthews of Ireland during the ager Jurgen Klopp, during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool which players he was referring to. The second women’s European Hockey Championship match between Ireland and Germany in Amstelveen and Crystal Palace, at Anfield, in Liverpool. — AP leg is on September 12. — AFP yesterday. — AFP