THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2017 SPORTS

‘Robust’ security for sports events after Manchester attack

LONDON: Extra armed police will pro- ty presence. A minute’s silence will be Superintendent Jerry Westerman. communications, told The Sun newspa- Stadium,” a Football Association tect Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley held in tribute to the victims as will be “People attending will notice tighter per. The Great City Games are due to go spokesman said. and the Epsom Derby-a favourite racing the case at the first one-day internation- security measures and firearms officers ahead in Manchester on Friday evening. “In collaboration with the event of Queen Elizabeth-as Britain al between England and South Africa at in and around the Derby grounds, The likes of former world 100 metres Metropolitan Police and the local ramps up security following the Headingley, Leeds, and both sets of which we feel people have a right to champion Kim Collins and British authorities there will be an enhanced Manchester suicide bombing. players will wear black armbands. The expect and are commonly seen at large Paralympic great Jonnie Peacock are security operation for all upcoming There are several high-profile sports South African team have been told events of this type.” Phil White, respon- due to compete. A decision on whether events. “All supporters are encouraged events in Britain over the coming few there will be extra police officers on sible for running Jockey Club-owned Sunday’s Great Manchester Run-which to arrive for events at weeks and although there are no spe- duty at the ground and increased secu- Epsom, south of , said there attracted 35,000 runners in 2016 — will as early as possible for security checks cific threats, security will be reinforced rity at team hotels and practice. The would be “robust measures in place”. take place is expected later yesterday. and to avoid any delays in entering the after Monday’s attack that killed 22 and Epsom Derby, the blue riband of flat Wembley Stadium will also be the stadium.” The Metropolitan Police in the injured dozens. racing and a horse race that the Queen ‘ENHANCED MEASURES’ focus of beefed-up security at the capital said the public will be aware of The Islamic State extremist group regularly attends, usually attracts up to Another marquee event of the flat weekend with the showpiece FA Cup an extra security presence whether it be claimed responsibility for the attack at 100,000 spectators and there will be racing season, Royal Ascot-which sever- between Arsenal and Chelsea on concerts, shopping centres or sports the end of a concert by US pop star more armed police officers watching on. al members of the royal family attend- Saturday, whilst the League Two (third events. “Over the coming days as you go Ariana Grande. Manchester United will “This year, in light of the recent attack in takes place from June 20 to 24 and will tier) and Championship finals are on to a music venue, go shopping, travel to play in an emotionally charged Europa Manchester and elsewhere in the world, also have a strong security presence. Sunday and Monday respectively. work or head off to the fantastic sport- League final later yesterday against we have reviewed our policing “There will be around 200 police on “Fan safety is of paramount impor- ing events you will see more officers- Ajax in Sweden which will have around approach with the racecourse and with duty along with sniffer dogs,” Nick tance and we have robust security including armed officers,” said com- 1,200 police officers providing a securi- our partner agencies,” said police Chief Smith, Ascot’s director of racing and measures in place at Wembley mander Jane Connors.—AFP

Real turns its focus to Champions league final

MADRID: Real Madrid is done celebrating months. The former France great already its Spanish league title and has turned its led the club to titles in , the focus to the Champions League final. Champions League, the European Super Madrid players are returned to practice yes- Cup and the Club World Cup. terday, three days after the club won its It remains uncertain if the coach will first league title in five years with a final- have all of his players in top form in Cardiff, round victory at Malaga. as and Dani Carvajal are com- On June 3, it will try to win its third ing off muscle injuries that kept them from Champions League title in four seasons in playing in the final stages of the Spanish the final against Juventus in Cardiff. It was a league. Bale, looking forward to playing a busy couple of days for the team after the final in his home country, missed both legs triumph in La Liga. The squad returned of the Champions League semifinals. from Malaga on Sunday and spent the Carvajal couldn’t play in the second leg night celebrating with its fans. It was past 3 against Atletico Madrid. a.m. local time when players left a major They are both expected to fully recover plaza where they were greeted by nearly from their injuries, but there will still be 50,000 supporters. The next day they met doubts about their overall fitness going with local authorities and again were hailed into the game in Cardiff. Francisco “Isco” by thousands of fans waiting for them at Alarcon has been successfully replacing another plaza in the Spanish capital. Bale, and he might get the starting spot “Hopefully we can come back in a cou- regardless of the physical condition of the ple of weeks with the Champions League Wales forward. Danilo has been the option trophy,” captain Sergio Ramos told the to replace Carvajal at right back. crowd. Now it’s back to work as Madrid Central defender Pepe also hasn’t heads to Cardiff trying to win its first dou- played much recently because of an injury ble - the Champions League and Spanish and is likely to stay out of the starting line- league - in nearly 60 years. It can also up in the final. Certain to play is Cristiano become the first team to win back-to-back Ronaldo, who was rested throughout the Champions League titles since the compe- season and has been peaking recently. The tition’s new format was created in 1992-93. Portuguese forward scored 14 goals in his “This is why we are here, to win titles,” last nine matches, including five in the last James Rodriguez said. three league games. “Hopefully on June 3 we can add the “I feel good and happy to have helped Champions League trophy to our achieve- the team in the final games in the league ments.” It would be an amazing feat for and in the Champions League,” he said. “I : ’s Daniel Sturridge (C) fights for ball with Sydney FC player during their end-of-season friendly football match coach , who is on the job - feel fresh and now I have to help out in the at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney yesterday. — AFP his first as a head coach - for only 17 final in Cardiff.” —AP India’s new generation SOCCER next are Bitburg-bound Daniel Sturridge stars in

MUMBAI: India has been stepping up efforts “We are one of few clubs that do not use to unlock its potential as a soccer power the franchise system with regards to devel- Liverpool win in Sydney with the hosting of the under-17 World Cup opment,” he told Reuters. on the horizon, the latest a venture looking “Everything we do, we do with BVB to tap into the know-how of former coaches. We never pretend that it’s just BVB SYDNEY: Liverpool shrugged off jet- European champions Borussia Dortmund. on the shirt. “With Indian football, from lag to master Australian A-League Once famously described as a “sleeping what I have heard, the development has champions Sydney FC 3-0 yesterday Terry dismisses criticism giant” of world football by former FIFA changed a bit and football is getting more just three days after finishing their President Sepp Blatter, India last year and more popular. The young kids do not English season. launched the “Mission 11 Million” pro- only play cricket but also play football on the England striker Daniel Sturridge, fight- over controversial farewell gramme aimed at engaging that number of streets.” ing back from a hip injury, was out- children in the game. While the All India India is the world’s second-most popu- COBHAM: Defiant Chelsea captain yes- I’m over the moon with the reception they gave standing-scoring the opening goal Football Federation has also launched a lous nation but it is a major under-achiever terday brushed off criticism of his controversial me-I couldn’t case less,” added Terry, whose life off and setting up another for Brazilian global scouting programme to identify tal- as far as soccer is concerned and is yet to farewell substitution at Stamford Bridge which the pitch has been often controversial. ent in the Indian diaspora, there is wide- make a single appearance at the World Cup Roberto Firmino. caused a furore in the English media. The 36-year- There is unlikely to be any repeat at Wembley spread recognition that any long-term finals. Former India captain Bhaichung The Reds, fresh from sealing their old central defender-who will leave Chelsea in the on Saturday when Terry is expected to be a substi- improvement must be built on grassroots Bhutia feels that access to better coaching is return to the Champions League and close season after 22 years at the club-was given a tute. However he does plan to lift the trophy with development. one of the key elements to ending that playing in front of a red-bedecked guard of honour by his teammates last weekend on-field captain Gary Cahill should Chelsea beat Now, one of India’s most prominent busi- drought and hopes the hosting of the FIFA near-capacity crowd of 73,000 at when he was substituted after 26 minutes (the Arsenal to clinch a League and Cup ‘Double’ for the ness conglomerates has joined forces with under-17 World Cup in October proves a Sydney’s Olympic stadium, scored all same as his squad number) during a 5-1 final-day second time in their history. Dortmund to expose talented teens, mostly watershed. their goals in an irresistible first half. victory over Sunderland in the Premier League. “Hopefully we’ll share that moment,” he said. from the country’s northeastern soccer “The future of football lies with the grass- Of the players that started their The arrangement was later described as con- “I’ve done that before with when hotbed, to top-class European coaching. roots. For us, the under-17 World Cup is the final Premier League game against trived and embarrassing by some pundits while he was vice-captain-and Gazza (Cahill) has filled reports fans won money by betting on the substi- that role superbly too.” Under a technical tie-up between the Tata start,” the former striker said. Middlesbrough on Sunday only three tution-and that Sunderland agreed to kick the ball As for his own future, Terry remains insistent he Trust’s U Dream Football project and the “Because the under-17 World Cup is hap- were in the starting eleven against Bundesliga club, 48 players from India are pening in India, a lot has been going on. out on 26 minutes-have added fuel to the fire. has not yet decided whether he will continue play- Sydney FC - Dejan Lovren, Firmino and Terry, however, has insisted he has no regrets ing or opt to retire once the season is over training in Bitburg, Germany under “When I was 16, I had only four matches to Sturridge. Club legends , Dortmund’s youth coaches. play for India throughout the year. And three and is certain the reaction will not tarnish his although Premier League sides Bournemouth and , Steve McManaman memories of an emotional farewell. “I couldn’t Swansea have expressed interest in signing him. The 12- to 14-year-olds will receive foot- matches in one national level school tourna- and also pulled on the ball training, and, just as importantly, ment. So six to seven matches in a year. “We care less, I promise you,” Terry told journalists “I need to get this game out of the way and fin- Red shirt once more, appearing for 45 German schooling for 10 months a year for need people with passion to work for foot- ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Arsenal. ish well,” said Terry “Then I owe it myself and the six years. “The depth of training in Germany ball at the grassroots level. We need to train minutes each. Sturridge turned “All I care about is celebrating with my Chelsea family to go away for a week after that and just is second to none,” said Ronnie Screwvala, our coaches for them to go and teach the defender to beat goal- fans because me and them have had an incredible switch off. “It’s been football, football, football and the founder of U Sports, which linked up younger generation.” —Reuters keeper in just the rapport and have done for 22 years. “No-one, I need to get away and be clear and know it’s the with the Tata Trusts last year. eighth minute. Ten minutes later whatever is written or said, can ever get in the way right thing I’m doing. “The biggest challenge for us was to Firmino dinked the ball into the path of of that. “If that’s the way I want to go out, that’s the “I don’t have long because clubs are going to convince parents that their children can Spaniard Alberto Moreno, who way I go out. “Because you know what, I’ve been be making decisions and they are going to want to have an alternative career in sports.” During Valverde coy on slammed home for 2-0. Fantastic foot- 22 years here and won so many trophies that if I know. “But for myself I need a week off. “There’s their six-year training stint, the players will work from Sturridge freed space for a wanted to play one minute and come off I would enough left in the tank 100 per cent, for a year at also play competitive matches against Barcelona link cross that ricocheted off Firmino’s thigh have done. “I wanted to play 26 minutes and least. “But I don’t want to make a knee jerk deci- Dortmund’s youth teams. The project ulti- and into the net for Liverpool’s third come off because it meant a lot to me, the shirt sion and regret it at a later date. Everything is an mately aims to give them a chance to play MADRID: Ernesto Valverde said number. “As long as the supporters are happy-and option right now.” — AFP yesterday there were clubs chasing goal in the 39th minute. professional football by placing them in “I enjoyed it a lot. Surprisingly good clubs across Europe, North America and him but refused to say if one of them was Barcelona, amid reports football and all the goals were bril- Asia, or at least providing them with liant,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp opportunities for trials with leading he is poised to be appointed head Messi loses appeal in tax fraud trial coach at the . The 53- said. “We love football and it is not clubs.“It’s a first step in a long process and easy after 30 hours of flying, but we we hope it is a stepping stone to putting year-old Spaniard resigned as Athletic Bilbao boss on Tuesday still do it. “It has been a really long sea- MADRID: Spain’s Supreme Court yesterday reject- case which began in 2013. Messi, 29, and his father India on the world football map,” added ed an appeal by Barcelona soccer star Lionel Messi defrauded the Spanish tax office of 4.1 million Screwvala. and Spanish media reports he son and it is now over. We can start a holiday after my final press confer- and stood by a Catalan regional court’s 21-month euros between 2007 and 2009 by using a web of R Venkatramanan, the managing trustee should be named as successor to prison sentence for tax fraud, court documents shell companies based in Belize, Switzerland and of Tata Trusts, said the project was still in its outgoing Barcelona coach Luis ence.” The Liverpool touring party only arrived in Sydney on the morning of showed. The five-times World Player of the Year is Uruguay to evade taxes on income from the player’s infancy. “We have started with the North Enrique on Monday. “I’m not going unlikely to go to prison, however. Messi and his image rights. East but we have a presence in about 17 to deny that I have an agent and the match and was rapturously received by the pro-Reds Australian father Jorge were found guilty by a Catalan court Messi, who has won eight La Liga titles, four states in India and we would soon be work- obviously there are teams that are last July on three counts of tax fraud between 2007 King’s Cups and four Champions League crowns crowd. Liverpool legend Gerrard, 36, ing closely with various state associations to interested in me,” said Valverde, and 2009 to the tune of 4.1 million euros on image with Barcelona, finished top scorer in Spain this sea- played in the first half along with 39- expand the programme,” he told Reuters. who played for Barcelona between rights and were also fined 2 million euros ($2.24 son with 37 league goals. He is set to play in the Over the last few years, a number of 1988 and 1990. “It is not the first year-old ex-team-mate Carragher, million). The court reduced Jorge Messi’s sentence King’s Cup final next Saturday in Madrid, the last European clubs have come to India, where time that I have had offers from big while McManaman, now 45, made an from 21 months to 15, however, for returning the game of the domestic season. cricket is far and away the most popular clubs,” he added. But Valverde said appearance as a substitute in the sec- defrauded amount to Spain’s tax authority. Neither Messi is Barcelona’s all-time top scorer and their sport, to set up academies on a franchise that he had no agreements with ond half. “It was interesting and very Messi nor his father are expected to serve time in highest paid player. He is expected to sign a new basis and try to claim a foothold in a poten- enjoyable considering we only got off jail, as under Spanish law sentences under two contract with the Catalan club later this summer, tially huge market. any club and not spoken directly to anyone. “There is someone looking the plane today,” McManaman said. years can be served under probation. with his current deal expiring in June 2018. “I thought I was fit but I can’t keep A court statement said Messi “unequivocally Messi’s lawyer was not available for comment. UNDER-ACHIEVEMENT for an apartment for me in Rome, up with the youngsters any more”. understood his obligation to pay tax on income Barcelona, who last year released a statement in Christian Diercks, who leads a youth pro- another who is looking for me a school in Barcelona...” he joked of There was a minute’s silence before the obtained from exploiting his image rights...there- support of Messi following his guilty sentence and gramme at Dortmund which has produced fore it is not logical that he should ignore his duty launched a campaign in support of him on social World Cup-winning midfielder Mario Goetze the media reports linking him to a kick-off to pay respects to the victims new job. —AFP of the terror attack that killed 22 peo- to pay tax on them”. media, have not yet commented on the Supreme among others, said the new programme was The Supreme Court’s ruling brings an end to a Court’s decision. — Reuters not similarly “superficial”. ple in Manchester on Monday. — AFP