TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2016 SPORTS

Ex-president of Honduras admits to bribery in FIFA scandal

NEW YORK: A former president of forfeit $650,000. He told the judge that charged in the fall in a second wave of reform and transparency measures that In a lengthy indictment, prosecutors Honduras pleaded guilty to conspiracy he had accepted bribes and distributed the prosecution that focused on a gener- gained support after the scandal was allege that hundreds of millions of dol- charges yesterday and admitted to tak- some of the money to others. He said he ation of football leaders in South revealed. In all, about 20 soccer officials lars in illegal payments made over the ing bribes in the wide-ranging FIFA foot- knew it was wrong. Callejas, who was America, a bedrock of FIFA and World have been indicted on charges related past quarter-century involved the use of ball scandal over lucrative broadcast president of Honduras from 1990 to Cup history. to the U.S. investigation of corruption in U.S. banks and meetings in the United rights. 1994, will be sentenced Aug. 5. In that crackdown, five current and the sport. States. The Justice Department has said Rafael Callejas, a member of FIFA’s tel- Initial arrests in the case last May former members of FIFA’s ruling execu- An indictment returned in Brooklyn that numerous guilty pleas in the case evision and marketing committee, resulted in charges against 14 people, tive committee were arrested at the in November charged Callejas for his have resulted in agreements to forfeit entered the plea to racketeering conspir- including seven top FIFA officials arrest- same Zurich hotel where the similar raid alleged role in a bribery scheme involv- over $190 million, and another $100 mil- acy and wire fraud conspiracy in federal ed at a Swiss hotel. His surrender came on FIFA officials occurred a half-year ear- ing lucrative broadcasting and hosting lion has been restrained in the US and court. Each charge includes a maximum after 16 additional defendants, most lier. Those arrests came just before FIFA’s rights for the World Cup and soccer’s abroad. The US has sought to restrain of 20 years in prison; he also agreed to from Central and South America, were executive committee met to approve other biggest events. assets in 13 countries. —AP

Sturridge back for England as Milner is named captain

LONDON: is to play his that moment of satisfaction has now first international for 18 months while passed,” said the manager. will captain England from the start of a game for the first time when the FEEL-GOOD FACTOR Euro 2016 finalists host Netherlands at “Our heads are concentrated on the task Wembley today. ahead. The feel-good factor is always short- Liverpool goal poacher Sturridge has lived for me and the players.” been plagued by injuries since winning the Milner, who will win his 58th cap on last of his 16 caps against Norway in Tuesday, takes over as skipper from Chelsea September 2014. defender who captained the “We’re pleased to welcome him back team against Germany. after his long layoff from England duty,” “To get the chance to lead out your manager told a news confer- country is a massive honour and some- ence on Monday. thing you’ll never forget,” said the Liverpool Experienced Milner, who will player. lead the side in the continuing absence of Milner echoed Hodgson’s words by urg- injury victim , said Liverpool ing his team mates to focus on the task team mate Sturridge had worked hard to ahead against Netherlands who have failed get back. to qualify for the European Championship “No one doubts his quality,” said Milner. in France in June. “Goals win you tournaments.” “It’s exciting to see the amount of young Hodgson is expected to make several talent coming through but we don’t want alterations to the side that rallied from 2-0 to get carried away,” he said. “If we don’t down to beat world champions Germany 3- perform tomorrow night everyone will for- 2 in Berlin on Saturday. get about Saturday and that momentum “There will be some changes. How will be lost.” wholesale those changes will be, you’ll The only sour note against Germany was have to wait and see,” he said. the fractured ankle sustained by Stoke City England delighted their supporters with goalkeeper Jack Butland that could keep victory against Germany but Hodgson is him out of the European Championship. refusing to let his young squad rest on their Hodgson called the injury “a devastating laurels. blow” but said Butland had told him he “We should be rightly proud of it but would “come back stronger”. — Reuters

Belgian Demoitie dies LONDON: Netherlands’ midfielder (L) and Netherlands’ midfielder take part in a team training session at Wembley Stadium, in west London, yesterday, ahead of their international friendly football match against England today. — AFP in race motorbike smash LILLE: Belgian cyclist Antoine Demoitie has one to ensure that attention, awareness died after he was struck by a motorbike fol- and control over safety standards are main- Ebullient England lowing a fall during the Gent-Wevelgem tained to a very high level.” race in Belgium, police said. The Gent-Wevelgem cobbled classic The 25-year-old, a member of Belgium’s lived up to its gruelling reputation on Wanty-Gobert team, was involved in a fall Sunday, with riders battling strong winds along with three other riders around 150 as they tackled 10 climbs over a 243 kilo- gunning for Dutch kilometres (90 miles) into the race on metre route. Sunday as it lopped briefly out of Belgium Former Belgian national champion Jens into northern France. Debusschere was also hospitalised after he LONDON: Invigorated by Saturday’s thrilling 3-2 coach Danny Blind lost another stalwart in the Marco van Ginkel called up as replacements. He was then hit by a race motorbike sustained a concussion following a heavy friendly win over world champions Germany, game against France when suc- Meanwhile, Daley Blind, the coach’s son, is a while on the ground, before being trans- crash, his Lotto-Soudal team said. England tackle the Netherlands today seeking to cumbed to a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper doubt with a hamstring problem of his own. “My ported first to Ypres hospital and then The race, which includes two ascents of sustain the feel-good factor ahead of the Jasper Cillessen and midfielder hamstring is stiff,” said the polyvalent being transferred to an intensive care unit the hills of Kemmelberg, was won by European Championship. have also withdrawn from the squad-the former Manchester United defender. “I didn’t want to at Lille, where he succumbed to his injuries. Slovakia’s Peter Sagan. Goals from , and Eric after breaking his nose in training, the latter take any risks in view of the upcoming games. “The rider died. An inquiry is under way A number of accidents have struck the Dier saw an England team inspired by after injuring his knee-with Michel Vorm and We have to look how it goes.” — AFP to determine the circumstances,” Frederic sport this year, including the death of come from 2-0 down to beat Germany and while Evrard, spokesman for the Nord-Pas-de- young hope Romain Guyot. manager Roy Hodgson was quick to downplay Calais regional gendarmerie in France, said The 23-year-old Frenchman died on the result’s importance, there was no disguising late on Sunday. March 3 when he was hit by a truck at a the ebullience of his youthful team’s display. Brazil without Neymar, A witness quoted by Belgian daily crossroads in the west of the country. Tuesday’s game is Hodgson’s last chance to SudPresse said four riders were involved in In January, six racers from the Giant- experiment before he announces his squad for a fall in front of the motorbike, which “liter- Alpecin team, including German John Euro 2016 on May 12 and with Daniel Sturridge, Luiz for Paraguay trip ally fell on top of” Demoitie. Degenkolb and French Warren Barguil, and also candi- Other witnesses said the Belgian rider were injured in a collision with a car during dates for attacking roles-not forgetting injured MONTEVIDEO: Brazil will be without Barcelona the Olympic team, to replace Neymar while was hit on the head. a training ride south of Valencia. duo Wayne Rooney and -he has star Neymar and Paris Saint-Germain defender Corinthians defender Felipe will come in for Luiz. The cyclist’s team earlier said Demoitie In 2011, Demoitie’s compatriot Wouter plenty of options. “I am sure he wants that,” said David Luiz today when they face a tricky 2018 Gabriel, 19, known widely as “Gabigol” and was taken to hospital in “extremely serious Weylandt died from injuries suffered in a Tottenham Hotspur striker Kane, who took his World Cup qualifying trip to Paraguay with regarded as the heir apparent to Neymar, will be condition”. “His wife and his family are at his crash during the third stage of the Giro international tally to four goals in nine appear- renewed uncertainty swirling around their cam- making his first senior appearance for Brazil after side,” the team wrote on Twitter. d’Italia. ances. “He wants everyone on top form and paign. starring for the Under-23s last year where he The International Association of On Saturday, 22-year-old Belgian rider applying themselves well. You want the best The Brazilians are licking their wounds after scored six goals in four matches. Professional Cyclists (CPA) said yesterday Daan Myngheer suffered a heart attack players to be on form come the Euros. the disappointment of Friday’s 2-2 draw with “I will be realizing a dream that I did not that they wanted “light to be shed upon during the Criterium International race in “I am sure it is a problem he enjoys having. All Uruguay, when they squandered a two-goal lead expect so soon,” Gabriel said. “I’m happy for the the circumstances” of Demoitie’s accident. Corsica. He was put on artificial respiration we can do is keep doing what we are doing, to and finished the game clinging on for the point. opportunity.” Paraguay meanwhile will be look- “In this moment of grief and sorrow we and was said to be in a coma. keep playing, as we have great belief. “Wayne For the opening half hour in Recife, Brazil ing for all three points against opponents whom do not want a debate, but we do feel a lot Demoite joined the Wanty-Gobert team and Raheem are great players and I am sure they were irresistible, attacking with precision and they have caused repeated problems in recent of frustration,” said CPA president Gianni in early 2016 after three seasons at will be back in the squad. Everyone is fighting purpose in what looked like being their best per- years. Paraguay knocked Brazil out of the Copa Bungo. Walonnie-Bruxelles for places and it is what this country needs. It formance since their 2014 World Cup semi-final America quarter-finals in 2015 and 2011 and will “We have always maintained that the An excellent sprinter, particularly in will only make us better players.” debacle against Germany. be quietly confident of another win today. cyclists’ safety must be first in the discus- uphill finishes, he won the Tour of Finistere Hodgson always intended to make wholesale But Uruguay’s fightback, begun with Edinson The Paraguayans were deprived of what sions of the different key players in cycling. in France in 2014, and was second in the changes for the encounter with Holland, who Cavani’s superb volley and completed by Luis would have been a deserved victory against “We do not want to accuse anyone, but Handzame Classic and GP Stad Zottegam in have not qualified for Euro 2016, and injuries Suarez’s predatory strike after half-time, has Ecuador on Thursday when a dubious late to reflect on the responsibilities of every- Belgium in 2015. — AFP have already forced his hand. reawakened all of the old concerns about Brazil’s equaliser saw the surprise qualifying leaders Fraser Forster is expected to start in goal, hav- brittle defence, humiliated in the 7-1 thrashing snatch a 2-2 draw. ing come on as a substitute for Jack Butland in by the Germans two years ago. Coach Ramon Diaz believes the performance Berlin after the Stoke City goalkeeper-himself The frustration of allowing Uruguay back into against Ecuador augurs well for the clash with deputising for the injured -fractured his the game eventually got the better of Neymar, Brazil. “We showed that we’re a competitive ankle. Vardy will hope to start after scoring his who was cautioned for a petulant kick on Alvaro team who can fight against anyone,” Diaz said. “I first international goal with a brilliant back- Gonzalez, meaning he will now be suspended hope that the team will continue to grow.” In heeled equaliser against Germany and his for Tuesday’s trip to Asuncion. other matches today, Argentina face Boliva in Leicester City team-mate Danny Drinkwater Former Chelsea centre-back Luiz also earned Cordoba aiming to continue their recovery with should win his first cap as a starter in central a booking on Friday that will see him miss the a third consecutive victory following away wins midfield. game against Paraguay, who are level on eight over Colombia and Chile. points with third placed Brazil after five matches. Argentina are currently fifth in the standings CRUYFF TRIBUTE with eight points from their opening five match- Fit-again Liverpool striker Sturridge is also in ‘GABIGOL’ CALL-UP es, but will be strong favourites to notch another contention for a place in the starting XI, having Brazil coach Dunga has called up Santos’s win against a Bolivian side who are second bot- missed the entirety of England’s Euro 2016 quali- exciting teenage striker Gabriel Barbosa, a star of tom with three points from five games. —AFP fying campaign with a succession of injuries. Everton pair and , meanwhile, could be given a chance to demon- strate that they can plug the defensive holes that almost proved England’s undoing at the Olympiastadion. The match will feature a tribute to late Dutch great Johan Cruyff in the 14th minute-a nod to his iconic shirt number-with an image of the for- mer Ajax and Barcelona star displayed on Wembley’s big screens, but play will not stop as it did during Holland’s 3-2 loss to France on Friday. The original Wembley held special mean- ing for Cruyff, for it was there that he won the first of his three European Cups with Ajax as a player in 1971 and led Barcelona to their first European crown as manager in 1992. Holland won 3-2 in their last game at Wembley in February 2012, courtesy of an HARELBEKE: A picture taken on March 25, 2016 shows Belgium’s Antoine Demoitie of brace, and prevailed by the same scoreline Wanty-Groupe Gobert competes during the 59th edition of the E3 Prijs Vlaanderen against Wales on their most recent trip to Britain ASUNCION: Brazil’s football team players celebrate Easter with children following a train- Harelbeke cycling race, 215,3km from and to Harelbeke on Sunday. Belgian cyclist in November. ing session, in Viamao, Brazil, yesterday. Brazil will face Paraguay today in Asuncion, in a Antoine Demoitie has died after he was struck by a motorbike following a fall during Robben also netted twice in Cardiff, but he is FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 South American qualifier match. — AFP the Gent-Wevelgem race in Belgium, police said. — AFP currently absent with a thigh problem and