TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 SPORTS Blatter faces harshest critics at UEFA Congress

VIENNA: FIFA president Sepp Blatter will come face to face with some of his harshest critics yesterday, most of whom will be voting to remove him from office when the Swiss stands for re-election in May. The 79-year-old is to address the 54-member nations of UEFA at their annual Congress knowing most of the delegates are backing the other three candidates: Jordanian Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Dutchman Michael van Praag and Luis Figo of Portugal. Blatter will make a speech at the start of Congress in his role as FIFA chief but has rejected Thiago Silva an offer to address delegates as a presidential hopeful. He said he had no need to campaign as French stress his 40-year record at soccer’s governing body spoke for itself. Blatter may be right because, despite his organisation facing one crisis or anoth- er, he is the overwhelming favourite to win a fifth test for Brazil term of office in the election at the FIFA Congress in Zurich on May 29. But he will be under no illu- RIO DE JANEIRO: Nine months on from Tardelli had been earmarked as centre for- sions when he faces his fellow Europeans on their World Cup drubbing by Germany, ward despite his move to Chinese outfit Tuesday that not all of them believe he is fit to car- Dunga’s new look Brazil team remains a Shandong Luneng but injury means a call ry on as president. work in progress but a Thursday test at for Shakhtar Donetsk striker Luiz Adriano, “It will be very bad indeed if he continues,” Van the Stade de France may give an indica- top Champions League marksman this Praag told reporters on Monday. “I believe that if tion of how far they have moved on. season with nine goals. the present president of FIFA goes on we will keep If understandably Dunga has made the One face missing for now is young on having these things again and again and again. next World Cup in Russia his priority the attacking midfielder Felipe Anderson, “I’m of the opinion Mr Blatter is responsible for Selecao have two tests over the coming despite good form for Lazio. this and he will never be accepted by anyone in the SWITZERLAND: FIFA president Sepp Blatter holds a press conference at the FIFA headquarters months to build a platform in the shape Dunga has made Barcelona star world as the person to turn FIFA around,” added the in this file photo. — AFP of the Copa America in June and next Neymar skipper in place of Thiago Silva, 67-year-old chairman of the Dutch FA. body does not support extending video technolo- clear about that,” he said. summer’s Olympic Games in Rio. indicating that “we need new leaders and Although attention is to focus on Blatter at the gy to catch mistakes made by referees, he added. “We also have to protect the referees and “The World Cup qualifiers are our prior- he loves challenges. The more responsibil- start of Congress, UEFA will also be re-electing UEFA’s refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina respect the referees,” added the UEFA official. “It ity. Before then, we have two friendly ity he gets the more he will evolve.” Michel Platini as president for a third term. warned Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, must be something that lives in the actions of the matches to look forward to and then the Dunga has a lingering unhappy mem- The former France international was once an Juventus, Monaco, Paris Saint Germain, Porto and players. Copa America” starting June 11 in Chile, a ory of the Stade de France as Brazil head ally of the FIFA leader but the pair have drifted Real Madrid at a meeting on Friday. “We understand that there are tensions around country the Brazilians will face three days to the City of Light. He hoped to lift the apart and Platini is now endorsing Blatter’s oppo- The meeting at the UEFA headquarters at Nyon matches,” said Infantino. “But the respect for the after the French match at the Emirates World Cup there but instead Brazil nents. Among other elections on Tuesday is one for in Switzerland came the day after the ruling body referee is the basis for playing.” The English Premier Stadium in London. slumped to a Zinedine Zidane-inspired three UEFA representatives on FIFA’s executive banned Paris St-Germain’s Ivorian defender Serge League has been rocked by controversy over the The Copa will be Dunga’s first competi- France in the 1998 final. committee that will almost certainly see two critics Aurier for three European matches for “insulting mistaken sending-off of West Brom defender tive games since taking the helm of the Nine of the Brazilians likely to feature of Blatter voted on to the most powerful group in acts” towards the referee of the Champions League Gareth McAuley after just 89 seconds of their 1-0 five-time world champions for a second Thursday were in the squad humiliated by world football. match against Chelsea. Premier League defeat at Manchester City. His time following six friendly match victories. Germany in July. German FA chairman Wolfgang Niersbach will Aurier did not play in the March 11 match which teammate Matt Dawson committed the foul. His first spell ended with a 2010 World But “there is no point in embarking on be elected unopposed while England’s David Gill is ended in a 2-2 draw, but made disparaging com- Infantino said more technology was not the Cup quarter-final elimination to the wholesale changes-we have quality play- expected to win a seat reserved for the British vice- ments on Facebook about referee Bjorn Kuipers answer, although he felt there had to be more Netherlands but before that he did steer ers,” Dunga insists. He himself retains a presidency in a two-way battle against Trefor Lloyd over his dismissal of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. debate on the issue. “There would be no mistaken the squad to a Copa win in 2007 and the love-hate relationship with Brazilian Hughes of Wales. Incumbent Angel Maria Villar UEFA is concerned about the growing tendency identity if you had the additional assistant referees, Confederations Cup two years later. observers who regarded him as a player Llona of Spain will also be re-elected unopposed. of groups of players to surround referees after because they will see immediately what happens Against France, Dunga’s mean-looking and as a coach as more about functionali- Meanwhile, UEFA has warned all the Champions every controversial call. Infantino slammed what and can rectify all decisions,” he said. “But, for every- defence was to have had a decidedly ty than flair. League quarter-final teams to stop their players he called the “aggressive stance” of some players thing else, it’s very much a judgement question for Gallic flavour but Paris Saint-Germain “People talk to me about football-as- harassing referees, secretary general Gianni toward referees. “This is something that we don’t the referee - and has to remain with the referee as stars David Luiz and Marquinhos have art. But what does that mean? A great Infantino said yesterday. And Europe’s governing accept, that we cannot accept and we are very well in the future.— AFP both withdrawn through injury although save by a keeper is art. Winning posses- clubmate Thiago Silva and Monaco’s sion is also an art. “You won’t find a Pele Fabinho are included. on every street corner.” Corinthians centre back Gil and With seven goals in six games for Mancini reignites row over Arsenal’s central defender Gabriel Paulista Dunga, Neymar is the sole true standout meanwhile come into the squad. Paulista’s in the current squad. “Today, nobody call-up is his first and he will hope to fea- really stands out-Neymar excepted. It non-Italian born players ture in particular at his Emirates club disturbs people to see that happen with ground against the Chileans. Brazilian football,” Dunga conceded ear- MILAN: A debate over the eligibility of players born to While looking to bring on new names lier this month, aware the fans crave Italians living outside the country has been reignited Dunga has an evident soft spot for striker success delivered by artistes. The gener- after criticism of coach Antonio Conte’s decision to Robinho, 31 and now enjoying himself ation behind the current one does not draft South American-born players into the national once again at Santos after a loan move yet augur for greater things with the side. Palermo’s Argentinian-born midfielder Franco from AC Milan. under-20 side having missed a South Vazquez and Brazilian-born Sampdoria striker Eder Dunga maintains that “you have to American championships podium finish were among three new faces named by Conte in a 26- blend youth and experience.” Diego earlier this year. — AFP man squad for upcoming games against Bulgaria, and England. Their call-ups come as Italy look to rebuild after their disastrous exit from the first round of the World Cup for the second successive edition. Four sent off in But the choices did not sit well with everyone. Inter Milan coach Mancini told reporters in Rome on Monday: “If you play for Italy you should be Italian.” rain-hit Rio derby When reminded that Germany won the World Cup with players born to immigrant families, Mancini RIO DE JANEIRO: Torrential rain in Rio de minutes left on the clock, Paulinho replied: “But their players were born in Germany. Janeiro forced the referee to suspend the brought down Vasco’s Bernardo as he “I believe an Italian player deserves to play in the Flamengo-Vasco derby for almost an raced toward goal, sparking a brawl. national team, while those who are not born in Italy, hour on Sunday but the stoppage did The referee sent off both players, plus even if they have Italian family, shouldn’t have that not dampen passions, with four sent off Vasco’s Guinazu and Flamengo’s right. “We do so much to train young players and in at the end of an action-packed 2-1 win Anderson Pico. The win takes Flamengo the end we draft in some oriundi (players born to for Flamengo. above Vasco into third place in the Italian emigrants). It would be better to bring our own The game was halted midway Carioca state championship table. young players through. “But if these are the rules, Roberto Mancini Conte is free to apply them as he pleases. I have my through the first half, with the conditions Earlier in the day, league leaders Camoranesi was born and raised in Argentina but was notably being humbled by Costa Rica. own opinion.” Once the pride of Italy, the Azzurri have already having contributed to the open- Botafogo beat Cabofriense 1-0, while able to represent Italy through a great-grandparent Italy on Saturday face Euro 2016 qualifying Group struggled on the world stage in recent years and ing goal. With just over a quarter of an Fluminense and Tigres drew 1-1 on who emigrated to South America in 1873 from H rivals Bulgaria in Sofia looking for their fourth Group Mancini’s remarks have fuelled a decades-long debate Potenza Picena. Ex-Inter, Juventus and Roma striker H win in five games. hour gone, the Vasco da Gama keeper Saturday night. In Sao Paulo, both Santos about the role and influence of the ‘oriundi’. Pablo Daniel Osvaldo as well as AC Milan defender They currently sit joint top with Croatia after three Martin Silva tried to roll the ball to and Corinthians kept up their impressive Although the tradition has not always born fruit, Gabriel Palletta have followed suit. wins and a draw. Conte conceded his squad should defender Rodrigo and it got stuck in a starts to the season. Corinthians strug- Italy, and to a lesser extent Spain, has a long history of Osvaldo was born and raised in Argentina but “not be a fallback for players who can’t get into their puddle. Alecsandro reacted quickest and gled to beat Capivariano 3-2 but the win turning to foreigners whose ancestors emigrated from qualified through an Italian great-grandfather who own national teams.” But he ultimately defended his nipped in to slam the ball into the net. ensured they continued an unbeaten run Italy-if their footballing talents match requirements. emigrated in the 19th century. Buenos Aires-born decision: “I am not the first and will not be the last to Within minutes the rain had turned that started mid-January. Carlo Tavecchio, the president of Italy’s football Palletta even played alongside Lionel Messi and call up these oriundi. “At the last World Cup, 83 of the the rebuilt World Cup venue into an Santos, meanwhile, beat Audax 1-0 federation (FIGC), underlined the fact Italy won the Sergio Aguero at under-20 level for Argentina, but over 700 players were not native born. These are the unplayable swamp. The referee brought on Saturday to give new manager 2006 World Cup with the help of Argentine-born being born to Italian parents-and not having repre- rules. “I think we should get the best we can and you the players out again after a 50-minute Marcelo Fernandes his fifth win in five Mauro Camoranesi. “If I remember correctly there was sented Argentina at senior level-he easily became eli- should not expect any shortage of players who want break and Vasco quickly levelled through games. They have the best overall one of them (oriundi) in our team when we won the gible to play for the Azzurri. to get into the national team.” 2006 World Cup,” said Tavecchio. “But Conte has Gilberto. But Alecsandro netted a second record so far with 29 points in 11 Palletta made his World Cup debut in Brazil, where If they haven’t made their debut by then, Vazquez absolute freedom to select whoever he wants to play. from the penalty spot after 52 minutes to games, while Corinthians have 26 and a the four-time World Cup winners-then coached by and Eder could do so three days later when Conte’s If a player has citizenship, he is eligible. He’s an Italian give Flamengo the winner. With nine game in hand. — Reuters Cesare Prandelli-returned home in disgrace after men host England in a friendly in Turin. —AFP citizen, so there’s no debate.” Former Juventus star Prosecutors seek prison term in Neymar affair

MADRID: Spanish prosecutors are request- including rivals Real Madrid, attempted to ing a prison sentence of two years and three hijack the deal. months for Barcelona president Josep Maria Ruz said the various contracts produced Bartomeu and seven for his predecessor, “were designed to cover or hide the fact Sandro Rosell, over the so-called Neymar that in reality they represented a higher affair, judicial sources said yesterday. cost for Barcelona” in order to “avoid or sig- The Madrid court is also calling for a fine nificantly reduce the money paid to the tax of 22.2 million euros ($24.1 million) against authorities”. Rosell resigned over the scan- the club over the transfer deal which has dal in January 2014 with his then vice-pres- been the subject of an anti-corruption ident Bartomeu taking charge. probe. The two men and the club are Shortly afterwards the club confirmed a charged with tax fraud and Rosell is also number of extra agreements including a accused of accounting irregularities over 10-million euro signing bonus for the play- his time in charge. er and scouting and collaborative agree- Following months of investigation, a ments between the two clubs had taken Spanish judge must now consider whether the cost of the total operation to 86.2 mil- the case should go to trial. The judge, Pablo lion euros. Ruz, said 10 days ago after completing his In February of last year, the club investigation that the two defendants were announced that they had made a voluntary suspected of three counts of tax fraud payment of 13.5 million euros to the worth a total of 13 million euros ($13.6 mil- Spanish tax authorities regarding the trans- lion), relating to the signing of the Brazilian fer. Bartomeu denied all responsibility striker in 2013. when he appeared before an examining The club has said it paid 57 million euros magistrate investigating the matter last overall to sign Neymar from Brazilian club month. However, prosecutors believe he Santos, but the judge suspects the real had full knowledge of the details involved amount was more than 83 million euros. in the transfer given his role as Rosell’s The cost of the deal rose steeply when right-hand man. Bartomeu’s involvement is Barca decided to bring forward an initial likely to damage his campaign to be elect- agreement signed in 2011 for the player to ed as president in club elections at the end move in 2014 by a year as other clubs, of the season. — AFP Barcelona’s Neymar protests in this file photo.