Garlands, Amulets and Selfies Greet Leicester City in Thailand
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THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016 SPORTS Fears raised over Champions League final pitch DOHA: A senior UEFA executive yester- be for the Champions League final,” wanted it to be perfect for the final. playing area. However, there were no between the two Madrid rivals. They met day raised concerns about the quality of Dalton said in a speech at the World The Champions League final is the repercussions after the final which previously in 2014 when Real Madrid the Champions League final pitch just 10 Stadium Congress conference being held high point of the European club season, United won on penalties. The game later won 4-1 after extra time to secure the days ahead of Europe’s biggest club in Doha. “The grounds keeper, with all arguably the most high-profile annual this month between the two Spanish club’s record tenth title in the competi- match of the season. Keith Dalton, senior due respect to him, is very junior and he football game in the world and is expect- clubs is the fourth Champions League or tion. That was the first and-so far-only match operations manager with UEFA, is the only one with the technical expert- ed to draw in a crowd of some 300 mil- European Cup final to be held at the time two teams from the same city had said organizers face “a lot of challenges” ise operating that stadium. “The rest of lion television viewers. Previous concerns 80,000-capacity San Siro. contested a Champions League final. The in getting the surface ready at Milan’s the guys can just hold a fork.” Afterwards, about a pitch prior to a Champions The last final to be played at the game will be Real’s 14th final and San Siro stadium for the game on May 28 Dalton, whose speech outlined UEFA’s League final included worries surround- famous Italian venue was between Atletico’s third. Atletico are yet to win the between Spanish rivals Real and Atletico requirements for Champions League ing the 2008 final in Moscow between Bayern Munich and Valencia, in 2001, trophy. The Madrid sides finished second Madrid. matches and also European English sides Manchester United and which the German side won on penalties and third in this year’s La Liga, with Real “We are facing a lot of challenges to Championship games, added that he was Chelsea, which was played on a new 5-4 after the sides played out a 1-1 draw. Madrid claiming the runners-up position get this pitch up to the level it needs to sure the pitch would be ready but UEFA grass surface laid on top of an artificial The May 28 clash will be the second final behind Barcelona. — AFP EXTRAS Chinese buyer closing in on Aston Villa deal LONDON: Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner is closer to find- ing a buyer than at any time since putting the club up for sale in 2014, according to a BBC report yesterday. Midlands club Villa, relegated from the Premier League after a woeful season, are reportedly being lined up by a Chinese busi- nessman offering 60 million pounds ($86.49 million). The report says the unnamed prospective buyer is in the process of looking over Villa’s financial record and could make an official offer by the end of the week. Villa, ever- presents in the Premier League since it began in 1992-93, are preparing for life in the Championship (second tier) after finishing a distant last with only three wins. Former Cleveland Browns owner Lerner paid around 60 million pounds to buy Villa in 2006. Chile kick-off a world record attempt for 120-hour match SANTIAGO: Chile internationals Christopher Toselli and Bryan Carrasco joined forces with amateurs in a “crazy” attempt to set a new world record for playing the longest soccer match. The five-day fixture at the Bicentenary Stadium in Santiago will feature more than 3,000 players, local media said, as they aim to eclipse the current record of 105 hours set last year in Scotland. “To me it’s a beautiful challenge. It’s crazy, but let’s hope this insanity can be accomplished,” goal- keeper Toselli said. “It’s many hours, over many days, evidently, but for the regular players, there is plenty of motivation to come out to be able to share in this with professional players.” Each player will be on the pitch for at least one hour. The amateurs, who applied online BANGKOK: Leicester City fans cheer as Leicester City FC players arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok yesterday. — AFP to take part, were grateful for the unique opportunity to mix with the professionals in the 120 hour match that is scheduled to finish on Sunday. “It’s a really great Garlands, amulets and selfies experience, in all truth,” said Chilean engineer and par- ticipant, Alvaro Valenzuela. “It’s extremely enriching, for me at least, as I practically don’t play sports. It’s a greet Leicester City in Thailand unique experience, valuable, and I would like it if there were more initiatives like this one.” BANGKOK: Thai fans mobbed newly mer ended in a public relations disaster for crowned English Premier League champi- the King Power family. Then, three young Atletico extend Euro hero ons Leicester City yesterday as they began players including the son of former manag- Niguez’s contract to 2021 a global publicity blitz after their fairytale er Nigel Pearson, were sacked after a racial- title triumph. They also hoped to banish ly charged sex tape featuring local women MADRID: Atletico Madrid the memory of a sex tape scandal that was leaked to British media. midfielder Saul Niguez marred a visit a year ago to the homeland Manager Pearson was quietly dismissed rounded off an excellent of their billionaire owner. Scores of Thai a few weeks later in an apparent dispute breakthrough season by fans-dubbed the “Siamese Foxes”-and a over his handling of the scandal, paving the extending his contract frenzied local media pack swarmed the way for the avuncular Ranieri to take with the Champions champions at Bangkok’s main airport yes- charge and steer the club towards sporting League finalists to 2021, terday morning, greeting them with glory. The unflappable Ranieri has added a the club confirmed yester- requests for selfies and chants of “Leicester degree of grace and humour to the club day. “I am very happy to City, Leicester City!” Manager Claudio which has caught the attention of Thais. continue defending this Ranieri, captain Wes Morgan and goalkeep- One elderly fan pressed a sacred amulet-a shirt,” said Niguez, 21, who er Kasper Schmeichel led the team, beam- good luck charm in Thailand-into his hand famously scored a won- ing as they made a choreographed Thai and thanked the 64-year-old for his work. derful solo goal against bow-or “wai”-with garlands of jasmine Speaking to reporters, Ranieri said he was Bayern Munich in the around their necks. But star players Riyad ready to put aside the “fairytale” title win semi-finals to help lead Mahrez, Jamie Vardy and Danny Drinkwater and focus on bargain-hunting in the fren- Atletico to their second Saul Niguez were not among the yesterday morning zied summer transfer market. Champions League final in arrivals, with the two English players called “We want to continue doing this three years. That strike was up this week for international duty. BANGKOK: Leicester City FC’s Italian manager Claudio Ranieri (right), the club owner because if we go the other side (expen- one of nine goals in 47 appearances in all competitions this Football-mad Thailand has fallen for Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha (center) and his son and vice-chairman Aiyawatt ‘Top’ sive signings), I lose the team,” he said. season. And Niguez’s fine form was also rewarded with a Leicester after the astonishing success story Srivaddhanaprabha applaud as they take part in a presentation of the English “The team is very close. It’s a family and call-up to Vicente del Bosque’s provisional 25-man Spain of a club with deep links to the kingdom. Premier League trophy at the King Power duty-free headquarters in downtown it’s important to bring into this family oth- squad for Euro 2016 on Tuesday despite being uncapped at The Foxes are owned by well-connected Bangkok yesterday. — AFP er brothers.” The team are also likely to full international level. The new deal only extends Niguez’s but publicity-shy Thai billionaire Vichai chairman. His family’s shrewd investment United and Liverpool. “Now I’m half pay a visit to a famous Buddhist monk contract by one year, but a significant wage rise is hoped to Srivaddhanaprabha. His duty-free King in players and club facilities has already Liverpool, half Leicester,” Max Akkhapracha, who was repeatedly flown by the devout ward off interest from Premier League clubs with Power brand is emblazoned across the brought a massive return on their $57 mil- a 20-year-old student dressed in Foxes’ kit Vichai to the UK to bless the players and Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur reportedly inter- shirts of the team, whose home ground in lion initial outlay. Now they can look for- said. “It was a very exciting season, winning stadium. But the highlight of the Thai leg ested. “We are all very happy with the agreement reached the English Midlands is named the King ward to global visibility for a duty-free the premier league was just amazing.” of the tour is an open-top bus tour of with Saul,” said Atletico sporting director Jose Luis Caminero.