THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 SPORTS Benitez takes on Real challenge

MADRID: Rafa Benitez was appointed Real bed in and that, given the quality of the Madrid coach yesterday, the much-trav- squad, which he called the best he had elled 55-year-old taking on one of the managed, the team would have to be most demanding jobs in club soccer in competitive from the start. which he will be expected to deliver major “When you have a roster with such trophies in short order. quality you have to attack, to try to score Spaniard Benitez quit Serie A side goals, and to win if possible playing Napoli last week and returns to his boy- attractive football,” he told reporters. hood club to succeed Italian Carlo Real would be monitoring the transfer Ancelotti, sacked after Real failed to either market to see if there was room to defend their Champions League crown or strengthen the team, he added. Ancelotti win the domestic league or Cup. was dismissed a year after ending 12 years A former Valencia, Liverpool, Inter of Champions League failure by leading Milan and Chelsea manager, Benitez Real to a record-extending 10th European began coaching in Real’s youth academy crown in 2013-14. in 1986 after injury ended his hopes of After leaving Real in 1995, Benitez becoming a professional player. graduated to several modest teams in He is the 10th coach to be appointed Spain as he developed his coaching phi- by president Florentino Perez during the losophy. construction magnate’s two six-year stints He made his name with Valencia, at the helm of the world’s richest club by whom he led to two La Liga titles before income and appeared close to tears when leaving for Liverpool, where he won the FA he was presented to the media at the Cup and the Champions League. Bernabeu stadium. He moved on to Inter Milan but was “It’s an emotional day returning here to sacked three months into the 2010-11 sea- my home,” Benitez said. “I have a good son and had mixed fortunes during his technical team behind me and I hope last job with Napoli. things go well, that we win titles and the They won the Coppa Italia last term team plays well.” and finished third in Serie A but lost to Benitez, who has signed a three-year Lazio in Benitez’s last match in charge to contract, told a later news conference he finish fifth, missing Champions League NEW YORK: This screen grab of Interpol’s website shows undated portraits of men who were added to Interpol’s most wanted list was aware he would not be given time to qualification. —Reuters yesterday. (Top row, from left to right) are Jack Warner, Nicolas Leoz and Alejandro Burzaco. (Bottom row from left) are Hugo Jinkis, Mariano Jinkis and Jose Margulies. The Interpol “red notice” means they risk arrest anywhere they travel. —AP Interpol puts two ex-FIFA officials on the wanted list

ZURICH: Interpol put two top for- Interpol, the international police was pressing on with preparations As Blatter announced his exit, mer FIFA officials on its “red notice” body, issued wanted person alerts for 2018. Blatter, who has led FIFA English Football Association wanted list at the request of US for Jack Warner, a former president for 17 years, is being investigated Chairman Greg Dyke suggested authorities yesterday as their inves- of CONCACAF, which governs foot- by U.S. prosecutors and the Federal that the controversial vote that tigation into corruption at soccer’s ball in North and Central America Bureau of Investigation, a person awarded Qatar the 2022 tourna- governing body gathered pace. and the , and Nicolas who spoke on condition of ment could be re-run. South confirmed it had given Leoz, the former head of South anonymity told Reuters late on Qatar Football Association $10 million meant to help pay for America’s soccer federation. Tuesday. President Sheikh Hamad Bin the 2010 World Cup to a soccer offi- The others subject to the so- US Attorney General Loretta Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al-Thani hit cial indicted last week in the United called “red notices”-which are not Lynch, on a visit to Latvia, declined back, indicating the small Gulf States, but said the payment was arrest warrants-are Alejandro to comment on whether Blatter is state will not give up hosting soc- not a bribe as US prosecutors Burzaco, Hugo and Mariano Jinkis, under investigation. Blatter has not cer’s showpiece event without a allege. and Jose Margulies, a Brazilian who been charged and FIFA did not fight. “We would urge Mr Dyke to The latest developments in the headed two offshore companies respond to a request for comment let the legal process take its scandal engulfing FIFA came a day that were involved in broadcasting on his being under investigation. course and concentrate on deliv- MADRID: New Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez (left) and Real Madrid’s after stunned interna- soccer matches. Blatter announced his decision ering his promise to build an President Florentino Perez (right) pose for a picture during his official presen- tional soccer by resigning as the They are among soccer officials to step down on Tuesday, six days England team capable of winning tation at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium after signing for Real Madrid.—AP world body’s president shortly and sports media and promotion after police raided a hotel in the the 2022 World Cup in Qatar,” he before it emerged that he too was executives facing US corruption city and arrested several FIFA offi- said. under investigation by US law charges involving more than $150 cials - and just four days after he Qatar’s stock index fell as much Studious coach takes long enforcement. Blatter was not on million in bribes. was re-elected to a fifth term as as 3 percent to a 6-week low amid Interpol’s list. president. An election to choose a fears Qatar could lose the World A source close to FIFA said it was BRIBE DENIED new president will probably not Cup. Among potential candidates route to Real hotseat Blatter’s advisers who had told him FIFA has denied that another sen- take place until at least December. to lead FIFA, Platini is the favorite. he must reverse course and quit. ior official, Secretary General Jerome Blatter, meanwhile, remains in his Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin Al BARCELONA: Fierce ambition and a stu- ophy. He would methodically assess train- Critics pointed to the widening Valcke, was involved in a $10 million position. Hussein, who withdrew from last dious approach to the game have marked ing sessions and write down his observa- criminal probe, disquiet among payment approved by the South His daughter, Corinne Blatter- week’s presidential election after Rafa Benitez’s journey around Europe’s top tions. He took a year out to watch, and sponsors, and pressure from African Football Association that lies Andenmatten, told a Swiss newspa- winning 73 votes to Blatter’s 133 leagues and he now returns to his home- learn from, other coaches around Europe in European soccer body UEFA as pos- at the heart of the US investigation. At per her father’s decision had in the first round, stopped short of town club Real Madrid to take on one of 1999 and following that break began to sible reasons. a news conference in Johannesburg, “absolutely nothing” to do with confirming he would run again. the toughest coaching jobs in football. enjoy success first with Tenerife and then With Blatter saying he no longer sports minister Fikile Mbalula denied recent corruption allegations. But Asked if there should be a fresh Benitez quit Napoli last week to take particularly at Valencia where he won two had the mandate he sought, UEFA the payment to Warner during South FIFA executive committee member start at FIFA, he told Britain’s over from the sacked Carlo Ancelotti at La Liga titles and the UEFA Cup. postponed a meeting due on Africa’s successful bid for the 2010 Kozo Tashima of Japan told Channel 4 News: “I’m willing to Real, where the eagle eyes of impatient, Benitez had developed a reputation as a Saturday where there might have World Cup was a bribe. Mbalula said Japanese media that Blatter should help.” and deep-pocketed, president Florentino defensive coach but attracted the attention been talk of a revolt against FIFA. had not bought votes for go at once. Chung Mong-joon, billionaire Perez will be scrutinising him from day one. of Europe’s top clubs and in 2004 he moved UEFA had opposed Blatter, and the right to host the cup, and the cash scion of South Korea’s Hyundai Perez was at his most ruthless in axing to Liverpool. , the UEFA president was intended for football develop- TATTERED REPUTATION conglomerate, said he would con- Ancelotti after a season without a major On Merseyside he will be always who is favourite to succeed the 79- ment in the Caribbean, Warner’s European sports officials said sider running. Possible candidates trophy that followed Real’s capture of their remembered for their Champions League year-old Swiss national, had urged home region. Blatter’s resignation was an impor- include Domenico Scala, inde- treasured tenth Champions League title in win in 2005 but he failed to build on that him not to stand for re-election as US legal authorities last week tant step, but that the organisation pendent chairman of FIFA’s audit the Italian’s debut season in 2013-14. and the team appeared to have lost its way FIFA faced the worst crisis in its 111- announced they are investigating needed deeper changes, while New and compliance committee. Ancelotti’s name was chanted at the when he left in 2010. year history. alleged bribery and corruption at Zealand Football Chief Executive Others could include former Bernabeu in their final La Liga outing last “Considering new information is FIFA going back 24 years and Swiss Andy Martin said soccer must now international Zico, Argentine month as fans anticipated his dismissal and IRREGULAR RECORD revealed every day, I believe it is prosecutors announced a criminal rebuild its tattered reputation. The soccer legend Diego Maradona, his affable approach endeared him to the Since then his record has been irregular wiser to take time to assess the sit- investigation into the award of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Jerome Champagne, a former players, who backed him to the end. One of with short spells at Inter Milan and Chelsea uation, so together we can take a 2018 World Cup to Russia and the which has been a staunch ally of French diplomat and FIFA deputy Benitez’s first tasks when the squad returns before he took the job at Napoli. His style position on this issue,” Platini, a for- 2022 tournament to Qatar. Blatter, said it would discuss inter- secretary general, and German to training will be to win the confidence of of play evolved at Napoli into a more mer French soccer star, said. The Kremlin said Russia was sur- nally the “best way forward for both Wolfgang Niersbach, a former FIFA the team, particularly those like top scorer attacking approach where he preferred to As the FIFA crisis unfolds, prised by Blatter’s resignation but FIFA and world football”. media chief. —Reuters Cristiano Ronaldo who clearly did not want have a trident behind the frontman, typi- Ancelotti to leave. cally Real striker Gonzalo Higuain, and he Benitez was 19 and hoping to move up will be expected to deliver entertaining to Real’s second team when he suffered football at Real. Portugal advance in NZ knee ligament damage that ended his However, it is arguable whether he actu- hopes of a professional career and it was ally improved Napoli and left with the side natural for him to move into coaching due having failed to qualify for a Champions WELLINGTON: Organisers again tried to shake off to his analytical skills. League place this season. the stigma of the scandal engulfing world govern- “It is true that when I played a lot of Now, given financial backing at Real, he ing body FIFA as Portugal qualified for the round of team mates said that I talked too much but will quickly need to bring home major tro- 16 at the under-20 World Cup in New Zealand yes- I couldn’t stop myself,” Benitez was quoted phies, and while in the past he has said he terday. The tournament has been touched by the as saying in Marca this week. favours the English model, under which controversy and political machinations at FIFA’s “It was not to blame anyone, it was managers are given time to bed in, he will headquarters in Switzerland, with President Sepp because I saw things that others didn’t and not be afforded that luxury. Another sea- Blatter’s shock resignation late on Tuesday again I tried to do my best for the team. I didn’t son without at least one major trophy and seizing the world headlines. Last week’s arrests of a lose my temper they were just observa- Perez will be looking for a replacement for total of 14 FIFA officials and corporate executives on tions.” Benitez graduated from youth team Benitez, the 10th coach he has hired in two charges of running a criminal enterprise involving coach at Real to several modest teams in six-year stints at the helm of the world’s more than $150 million in bribes had been a dis- Spain as he developed his coaching philos- richest club by income. —Reuters traction but interest in the tournament was picking up, local organising committee chief executive Dave Beeche told Reuters. Pele: Time to ‘stop the war’ “I guess there is more people talking about foot- ball full stop,” Beeche said. “We just have to focus on what we have to do and that’s deliver a great tour- LONDON: Brazilian great Pele said the honest to organise anything,” Pele added. nament and the football is speaking for itself on the “war” must stop in world soccer following Blatter stunned the world of soccer pitch.” Portugal winger Ivo ensured his side made a seismic week that on Tuesday resulted when he resigned on Tuesday, although the round of 16 with two goals in their 4-0 demoli- in embattled FIFA president Sepp Blatter he will stay in office for a few more tion of Qatar in Hamilton. The result gave the Gulf announcing he would stand down. months until a successor is chosen, end- side a reality check on the hopes of their current “I want to see football put people ing a 40-year career at the sport’s govern- under-20 squad blossoming into potential world together, stop the war,” Pele told the BBC ing body just four days after being re- beaters in seven years’ time. Qatar have openly said in an interview from where his old elected to a fifth term despite a US cor- they feel the current under-20 side will provide the club New York Cosmos are playing. ruption investigation. bulk of their squad when they host the 2022 World “That’s my position because football The 79-year-old, who has held office Cup, though their Spanish coach Felix Sanchez said put people together. What happened since 1998, announced the decision at a they still needed time to develop. “Experience won DUNEDIN: Mijat Gacinovic (left) of Serbia eyes the ball under pressure from Yousouf with the corruption, this is not my prob- news conference in , six days after the match,” he told a media conference at Waikato Kone of Mali (right) during the FIFA Under-20 World Cup football match. —AFP lem.” The 74-year-old, widely regarded as Swiss police, acting on a request from Stadium. “We still have room for progression. opportunity of seizing control of Group D with Gutierrez’s goal followed Hirving Lozano’s 71st the greatest footballer of all time, said it United States authorities, raided a hotel Hopefully this experience will better the players.” was time FIFA made changes to ensure in the Swiss city and arrested several FIFA Mexico’s Kevin Gutierrez converting the free kick to minute strike, though Uruguay’s Mathias Suarez Qatar must now beat , who drew 1-1 give his side a 2-1 win. had equalised with seven minutes remaining in the scandals that have plagued it in officials. Blatter has not been charged. An with Colombia, to have any hopes of advancing to recent years cease. “Everything in life election to choose a new FIFA president Had Gutierrez not curled the ball past the out- normal time. Mexico have three points after two the round of 16 as one of the best third-placed stretched hand of Gaston Guruceaga at Otago games, the same as every other team in the group changes, football changes, life changes, is thought unlikely to go ahead until at teams in the tournament. it’s important to have people who are least December. —Reuters Regional Stadium, the central Americans would following Serbia’s 2-0 victory over Mali in the late In Dunedin, Erick Cabaco’s added-time dismissal have almost certainly been out of contention for the game in Dunedin. Serbia lead the group on goal for a second bookable offence cost Uruguay the knockout phases. difference. —Reuters