WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2017 SPORTS Pie-eating Sutton goalkeeper quits club in tears

LONDON: The Sutton United goalkeeper Sutton manager Paul Doswell Shaw, 46, who weighs 20 stone, was logo also appeared on Sutton’s shirts. gence director at the Gambling filmed eating a pie while on the substi- announced Shaw’s fate on live television: caught on camera tucking into the pie “I thought I would give them a bit of Commission. “We’ll be looking into any tutes bench during his side’s 2-0 FA Cup “This decision was taken at board level,” minutes from the end of Monday’s game banter,” he said. “It was meat and potato.” irregularity in the betting market and defeat by Arsenal quit the club in tears he said. “We felt we had to take very against Sutton, who were trailing 2-0 hav- Shaw denied he had placed a bet himself, establishing whether the operator has met yesterday after admitting a “costly error of strong actions. The chairman spoke to ing used their regulation three substitutes. but as his pie-eating antics made head- its licence requirement to conduct its busi- judgment”, Sutton’s manager said. him this afternoon and Wayne offered his The keeper had featured on promotion lines in Britain and beyond it became clear ness with integrity.” Wayne Shaw resigned within hours of resignation.” materials during the non-league club’s sur- the stunt had gone badly wrong. Later yesterday the FA announced its the Gambling Commission and the “I’m devastated, the chairman is devas- prise FA Cup run after revealing that he Yesterday morning the Gambling own investigation into the behaviour of Football Association announcing investi- tated. I have spoken to Wayne and the guy played in the same youth team as former Commission, the regulatory body that Shaw, Sutton’s reserve goalkeeper. gations into his actions after it emerged is in tears, crying down the phone. It is a England striker Alan Shearer. oversees British gambling, announced its “We are investigating to establish that a betting company had offered odds very sad situation.” The news capped a sur- Shaw admitted knowing about the inquiry. whether there has been any breach of The against any Sutton player tucking into a real few hours in the history of the world’s wager offered by Sun Bets, the online bet- “Integrity in sport is not a joke,” said FA rules relating to betting,” a spokesman pie during the televised game. oldest cup competition. ting branch of The Sun newspaper whose Richard Watson, enforcement and intelli- said. — Reuters

PREVIEW Potent new Juventus face Porto acid test

MILAN: A potent new attacking formation that has sent Gonzalo Higuain towards another top scorer’s award faces the acid test today when Juventus take on Porto away in the last 16 of the Champions League. Juventus, beaten 3-1 by Barcelona in the 2015 final, are en route to a record sixth Serie A crown and remain many pundits’ favourites to challenge the likes of Real Madrid for the tro- phy in Cardiff next May. Massimiliano Allegri’s Serie A league leaders head to Porto’s Estadio do Dragao as favourites, but aware that they also ended Roma’s hopes of even qualifying for the com- petition in clinical fashion last summer. “Juventus are a top side who have made it to the final of the Champions League recently, so they will be a challenge for us,” Porto presi- dent Pinto da Costa was quoted as saying in Corriere dello Sport. “But Roma were also favourites against us, and in the end we won 3-0.” Allegri’s decision to ditch his tried and trust- ed 3-5-2 for a more attack-minded 4-2-3-1 has seen Higuain, thanks to support from Juan Cuadrado, Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic, pull level with Roma’s Edin Dzeko at the top of the Serie A charts on 19 goals so far. But while the Juventus front line is firing on all cylinders, Porto have reason to be targeting a makeshift Juve defence that could be miss- ing key components in Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini. Both remain doubtful due to recent injury niggles, meaning either Daniele Rugani or Mehdi Benatia could partner Leonardo Bonucci KUWAIT: The victorious Kuwait SC team with the Amir Cup after beating Kazma SC 4-2 yesterday. in central defence. Allegri’s switch to a flat back four means Stephan Lichtsteiner, Dani Alves, Kwadwo Kuwait SC clinch prestigious Amir Cup Asamoah and Alex Sandro-who are all adept as wingbacks in a five-man midfeld-are all avail- able for the left and right-back positions. Amir congratulates Kuwait SC for winning football cup On Friday Allegri said: “Unless some strange things happen in the meantime, we will deploy a 4-2-3-1 in Portugal.” KUWAIT: Under the patronage of His upon his arrival at Sheikh Jaber Stadium by Both Rugani and Lichtsteiner were com- Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Minister of Commerce and Industry and pletely rested for Friday’s 4-1 win over Palermo, Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and attendance of His Acting Minister of State for Youth Khaled Al- in which Dybala hit a brace and Higuain hit Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Roudhan, Director General of the Public one. Mario Mandzukic was also completely Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Authority for Sport Sheikh Ahmad Mansour rested, suggesting he is a definite starter on Kuwait and Kazma sporting clubs played the Al-Sabah, chairman of the interim committee Wednesday. final game of HH the Amir’s Cup. HH the Amir running Kuwait Football Association Fawaz Allegri’s two holding midfielders are likely Sheikh Sabah congratulated the Chairman of Al-Hasawi, chairman of the interim commit- to be Miralem Pjanic, the side’s free-kick spe- Kuwait SC Abdulaziz Al-Marzouq after his tee running Kuwait Olympic Committee cialist, and Germany midfielder Sami Khedira. team won the Cup for the 2016-17 season. Sheikh Fahad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah, and chair- Italy international Claudio Marchisio, also on Kuwait beat Kazma 4-2 in the final that men of the two clubs. target against Palermo, is expected to start on was held at Sheikh Jaber International The final game was also attended by par- the bench. Porto might not be considered Stadium. HH the Amir commended the per- liament speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem, title winners, but Bonucci has done his home- formance of the two teams and the high spirit Sheikh Faisal Al-Saud Al-Sabah, HH Sheikh work. “Maybe Porto aren’t among the shown by the players throughout the clash. Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, favourites for the quarter-finals, but we will be HH the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber, minis- giving them maximum respect,” the Italy Sheikh Nawaf also sent a cable to Marzouq to ters, senior state officials, and commanders defender told uefa.com. congratulate him on the victory of his team. of the army, police, national guard and fire HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al- department. At the end of the match HH the “They went through a difficult period at the Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent a similar Deputy Amir and Crown Prince handed the season but they’ve come bouncing right back KUWAIT: Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah hand- cable. Earlier, HH Sheikh Nawaf was received cup to Kuwait SC. — KUNA in impressive fashion. They have some great ing over the cup to Kuwait SC captain Hussain Hakim. — KUNA photos young players and they’ll will playing with the mentality that they nothing to lose. Pressure on Ranieri “If we want to stay in Europe, we’ll need a Buffon and Casillas great performance on the night.” Porto have hit inevitable: Sampaoli 14 league goals in their past five league games, all wins, and former Portugal defender Jorge SEVILLE: Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli believes Claudio Andrade, who played for both clubs, says scor- to resume rivalry Ranieri’s position as Leicester City boss will undoubt- ing an away goal will be crucial for the Italians. edly come under pressure unless results drastically “The most important thing for Juventus will ROME: It will be a meeting of goalkeep- Casillas’ Spain has had the better record with we’ve often played against each other. I improve, despite his remarkable success last season. be to be vigilant in Oporto, and to score a goal,” ing greats when Gianluigi Buffon faces three victories to only one for Buffon’s Italy - think Italian football won’t have another Leicester travel to face Sevilla in the first leg of their he told Tuttojuve.com. old rival Iker Casillas today in the including Spain’s penalty shootout win in goalkeeper like him.” Champions League last 16 tie today mired in a relega- “In Portugal people can’t wait for this Champions League. the quarterfinals of the 2008 European The similarities between Casillas and tion battle just a year after miraculously defying the match. Don’t forget that Porto have won the And while both players may be reaching Championship and Spain’s victory in the Buffon don’t end on the field. Both goal- odds to win the Premier League. competition twice. Their key player will be the end of their careers, Buffon and Casillas Euro 2012 final. keepers have female partners who are “Now no one talks about the team that won the (Tiquinho) Soares.” each still have something to prove in their In club-level meetings, the goalkeepers sports journalists. league in an incredible and historic way, but of the Soares has hit four goals in three games 17th career meeting - this time in a match have three wins apiece but Buffon’s Juventus Casillas famously kissed Sara Carbonero present when they are not playing well and fighting since joining Porto last month and will be look- between Juventus and FC Porto. has prevailed in all three knockout ties - during a live interview after winning the against relegation,” Sampaoli said on Tuesday. ing to make his mark in a game featuring two The 39-year-old Buffon has won virtually including the 2003 and 2015 Champions 2010 World Cup and the couple was mar- “Common sense would say that someone who legendary goalkeepers in Iker Casillas and everything except for the Champions League semifinals. ried a year ago. achieved so much from a team with so little can turn Gianluigi Buffon. — AFP League - finishing runner-up twice, in 2003 “I am lucky enough to be three years Buffon has a son with Sky Sports studio the situation around, but time waits for no one, not and 2015, with Juventus. younger than Gigi. I was 14 when I started host Ilaria D’Amico, who still addresses even someone as good as Ranieri who won the The 35-year-old Casillas has won every- and he was 18,” Casillas said. “I was able to Buffon by his last name in interviews. Premier League.” thing - including three Champions League see and appreciate his style and personali- Both players also have the same number By contrast, Sevilla are flying in third in La Liga Matches on TV titles - but is looking to regain his spot on ty. As I grew up, I looked up to him and of appearances for their national teams - behind only Real Madrid and Barcelona. However, Spain’s national team and prove his former then we evolved together and we’ve had 167. Any way you look at it, they are two of Sampaoli warned his side against over confidence giv- (Local Timings) club, Real Madrid, wrong for casting him similar careers. We’ve both won a lot and soccer’s greatest. —AP en Leicester won their group earlier in the campaign in aside two years ago. their debut season in the Champions League. SPANISH LEAGUE PRIMERA “Every player knows it takes time to get And the Argentine also highlighted a 4-2 win over Valencia v Real Madrid 20:45 used to a new city, new surroundings and a Manchester City in December as a warning that beIN SPORTS 3 HD new way of life,” Casillas told UEFA.com. “Of Leicester are still capable of raising their game on the course when you’ve spent so long in the big occasion. “They went through comprehensively as ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE same place, as was the case for me, it’s winners of their group and in a tie of two games they Bristol City v Fulham 23:00 strange to experience a change of scenery. will be a very tough test for us,” added Sampaoli. beIN SPORTS Maybe I didn’t reach the level I wanted last Leicester striker Jamie Vardy scored a hat-trick in year, I didn’t feel completely comfortable. that victory over City, but the England international UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE “I haven’t been called up to the Spain hasn’t netted in nine games since. However, Sampaoli Sevilla v Leicester 22:45 squad, so I’ve had more time to focus on believes he still poses the major threat to Sevilla’s beIN SPORTS 2 HD my club,” Casillas added. “I’ve noticed the chances of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time Porto v Juventus 22:45 effect. First you need to be settled at your in the Champions League era. beIN SPORTS 1 HD club and then, who knows what might hap- “Vardy was decisive last year and his lack of goals pen?” Whatever the result in the first leg, explains Leicester’s current problems. When Vardy UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE Casillas and Buffon will continue to have starts scoring we will once again see the Leicester that Saint Etienne v Manchester United 20:00 mutual respect for each other. The pair are extremely dangerous.” Leicester’s disastrous form beIN SPORTS 6 HD engaged in an entertaining exchange on continued with an embarrassing 1-0 defeat to third tier Fenerbahce v Krasnodar 20:00 Twitter recently, with Casillas asking Buffon, Millwall in the FA Cup on Saturday. beIN SPORTS 7 HD “What do you think? For me you the best!!” However, Ranieri is set to recall a host of first team Schalke v PAOK 20:00 To which Buffon responded, “I don’t choose. PORTO: Juventus’ goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon gives a press conference at the regulars after making 10 changes with the likes of beIN SPORTS 5 HD We are the best,” adding a smiley face. Dragao stadium in Porto yesterday, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League Vardy and Riyad Mahrez set to return. — AFP In their eight national team meetings, football match FC Porto vs Juventus FC. — AFP