Sports Wednesday, March 20, 2019 19 Big win for PSG as UEFA financial probe dropped

afp CAS said in a statement. Paris It added that the ruling was “final and binding.” Paris Saint-Germain won a The probe was opened to major victory Tuesday when the determine whether PSG re- world’s top sports court backed spected financial rules imposed the club against European foot- by UEFA which broadly limit ball’s governing body UEFA them to spending no more than over allegations of financial they earn. wrongdoing. The club said in a statement PSG had appealed to the it “took note of the favourable Court of Arbitration for Sport in decision and intends to go ahead October last year after a UEFA serenely with its development.” panel decided in September to PSG argued that the deci- reopen the probe into the club’s sion to reopen the case violated compliance with Financial Fair UEFA’s own rules limiting to Play regulations. 10 days the period of review of UEFA had originally cleared its original decision to drop the France’s head coach Didier Deschamps (left) during a training session in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines in Paris on Tuesday. PSG of wrongdoing in June fol- case. lowing a probe triggered after UEFA rules “provided for PSG splashed out 400 million a 10-day review period during euros ($454 million) to buy which any review should be Brazilian superstar Neymar and instigated and completed and French phenomenon Kylian that the challenged decision (to Deschamps keen to lead Mbappe. “The appeal filed at reopen the case) was manifestly the CAS on 3 October 2018 by late,” the CAS statement added. Paris Saint-Germain against the UEFA’s Financial Control decision issued on 19 Septem- Board ordered the review on ber 2018 by the Adjudicatory June 22 last year and the deci- France into Qatar 2022 Chamber of the UEFA (to reo- sion to reopen the case came pen the case) is upheld and the almost three months later on afp obviously something I would before thinking about 2022, over Croatia in the World Cup goes to show continuity at the challenged decision is set aside,” September 19. Paris not be unhappy about, but first come the qualifiers (for final in Moscow had never top level is not all that bad.” we’ll see,” Deschamps said on Euro 2020),” he said. crossed his mind, insisting “He (Loew) took the team France’s World Cup-win- Tuesday. there was more to be achieved. to steer it to the World Cup ti- ning coach Didier Deschamps “I have a very good rela- The 50-year-old Deschamps, “Quite simply because I tle in 2014. Lately, and on the has told AFP he would like tionship with (FFF) president feel really good,” he said. “I back of the last World Cup, it’s to remain in his job until the (Noel Le Graet). I’m under who took charge of France still have the same passion, been difficult for him,” contin- 2022 finals in Qatar. contract until the European in 2012, guided Les Bleus the same desire and because ued Deschamps, referring to The 50-year-old Des- Championships, which is the to a second World Cup title I’m convinced there are still Germany’s shock elimination champs, who took charge of only certainty right now.” in Russia, two decades after great things to be done with in the group stage in Russia. France in 2012, guided Les Deschamps’s deal runs un- lifting the trophy as captain this squad.” “He was (considered) the Bleus to a second World Cup til June 2020, but the former Asked if he could see him- best five years ago, and today title in Russia, two decades af- France and Juventus mid- on home soil. self emulating the longev- he’s not become the worst, far ter lifting the trophy as captain fielder admitted any extension ity of Germany coach Joachim from it. He’s someone who has on home soil. would depend on the perfor- Deschamps said the Loew, who has held the post proved a lot and I’m happy “For me to be able to carry mance of his team. thought of quitting amid the since 2006, Deschamps re- he’s remained in charge of the on until the next World Cup is “It’s linked to results. But euphoria of July’s 4-2 victory plied: “He’s a good example. It Germany team.”

GENERATION AMAZING PROGRAMME No Qatar Cup this season, SC ambassador Xavi kicks off says league body QSL pitch construction in India Ikoli Victor America’s Copa America against Oman next week DOHA Tournament from June 14 to (Tuesday). tribune news network July 7. As part of preparation The appearance of three doha The Qatar Stars League Man- for the tournament, the Qatar Qatari clubs - Al Duhail, Al agement has cancelled the Football Association shelved Sadd and Al Rayyan - in the SC Global Ambassador Xavi 2018-19 Qatar Cup compe- the FIFA international break group stage of 2019 AFC Hernandez visited a Genera- tition following continental for friendly in March so the Champions League is another tion Amazing site in Mumbai campaigns involving three Qa- players can rest and regroup reason for the decision to do this week to mark the con- tari club sides. for friendly matches in May away with the competition struction of a new community The Qatar Cup, formally and June. this season. With two Cham- pitch and take part in a game known as the Heir Apparent Additionally, the QSL pions League matches in of football with programme Cup is the traditional end of management cited the Tokyo April, the clubs will have time participants and youth ambas- season tournament involving 2020 Games qualifiers as to prepare for Match Day 3 & sadors from across India. the top four sides in the QSL. another reason for the can- 4, respectively. In collaboration with Gen- The current league season cellation of the four-team “After taking into consid- eration Amazing’s local part- will conclude on April 12 and competition. eration all of the above factors ner, Oscar Foundation, the the competition could have Qatar’s U-23 players will and the need to give adequate event took place in the pres- been held a week thereafter. be in action against Oman, rest to the players ahead of the ence of HE Saif bin Ali al Mu- The league management, in Nepal and Afghanistan from upcoming challenges, both at hanadi, Qatari General Coun- co-ordination with all stake- this weekend at the Aspire the national team and clubs’ sel in Mumbai, and Abhishek holders, has rated the 2018- Zone in the West Asia zone. levels, the QSL has decided Yadav, Director, National 19 season exceptional. Qatar open Group A matches not to organise the Qatar Cup Teams, at the All India Foot- After winning the historic against Afghanistan on Fri- only for the 2018-19 season,” ball Federation. Asian Cup 2019 title, Qatar day, take on Nepal on Sunday the QSL released a statement “I am very proud to be in will be participating in South and conclude with a game on Tuesday. India with Generation Amaz- ing to visit the community in Mumbai, to speak to the par- ticipants and hear about their experiences,” said Xavi, who Former Spanish and Al Sadd player Xavi Hernandez (right) controls the ball during a game with Indian currently plays for Qatari side children, in Mumbai on Monday. Al Sadd. “It is a very special mo- lona midfielder added. ciaries in seven countries. build on the commitment to ment to be able to kick off the Generation Amazing is Generation Amazing aims help develop the social and hu- construction of a community the human and social legacy to positively impact the lives of man legacy of the FIFA World pitch in this area, which will programme initiated during 1 million youth by 2022, with Cup 2022™ across Asia. clearly bring great benefits for Qatar’s successful bid to host the goal of providing children Launched by the Supreme those involved in the Genera- the FIFA World Cup 2022™. and young people from disad- Committee for Delivery & tion Amazing programme and It harnesses the power of foot- vantaged communities with Legacy in 2010, Generation in the wider community.” ball to positively impact lives safe spaces to play, enabling Amazing aims to develop a “I’m particularly excited and create sustainable social football for development pro- young generation of commu- to be able to visit this rapidly development in communities. grammes to be carried out and nity leaders who will create developing football nation A total of 28 community achieving a long-term impact lasting social development in which has such great poten- pitches have already been built on the host communities. their communities. tial, and to see for myself the across the Middle East and Generation Amazing re- Xavi’s visit to India follows impact which Generation Asia by Generation Amazing, cently opened two pitches in an earlier visit in 2016 to the Amazing is having on the with the programme reaching India, in Rurka Kalan and Generation Amazing pitch and ground,” the former Barce- more than 250,000 benefi- Nagpur, as it continues to programme in Jordan. Al Duhail players celebrate after winning the Qatar Cup 2018 by beating Al Sadd in the finals.

Iceland midfielder Gunnarsson signs Ronaldo ban would be ‘crazy’, says two- year deal with Al Arabi Juventus teammate Bernardeschi DOHA Al Arabi SC have signed Aron Gunnarsson from Cardiff City Milan: ’s Juventus teammate Federico Bernardeschi News in the English . The Iceland National Team Cap- said on Tuesday it would be “crazy” for UEFA to suspend the Portuguese in brief tain joins the Qatari Club on a two- year deal. The 29-year-old has forward for his controversial goal celebration. Ronaldo faces UEFA agreed a deal to join Al Arabi at the end of the season, the club charges for “improper conduct” after mimicking Atletico Madrid coach confirmed through a tweet on Tuesday. Gunnarsson will end his Diego Simeone’s crotch-grabbing ‘cojones’ gesture after his hat-trick in eight-year affiliation with the club having joined from Coventry City Juventus’ Champions League comeback win. “It’s something that I don’t in 2011. He has made 20 Premier League appearances in the think needs looking at, it (a suspension) would be crazy,” international heart of the Bluebirds midfield this term, scoring once. Al Arabi are winger Bernardeschi told a press conference ahead of Italy’s Euro 2020 a side managed by former Iceland manager Heimur Hallgrimsson, qualifiers. “I think it’ll end there, it was a celebration, a gesture. I see who is familiar with the midfielder’s capabilities. him calm and relaxed, as we all are. I’m sure everything will be fine.”