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Thursday, September 24, 2020 FOOTBALL Safar 7, 1442 AH Atletico-bound GULF TIMES Suarez leaves Barca training in tears SPORT Page 4 FOOTBALL / AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Al Hilal fail to name required 13 players, Team eff ort key in withdrawn from the competition

AFC Doha

efending champions Al Hilal, of Taawoun tie: Regragui Saudi Arabia, failed to name the Drequired 13 players for their AFC Champions League (West) Group B match After reaching knockouts in the last two editions, Duhail aim to go all the way this time round against Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, of the United Arab Emirates, yesterday, and were AFC consequently deemed to have withdrawn Doha from the competition. According to the statement released by the AFC, all matches played by Al l Duhail and Al Hilal, who named only 11 players, were Taawoun will lock considered null and void according to horns on Match- Article 6 of the AFC Champions League day Six of the 2020 regulations, and therefore Pakhtakor of AAFC Champions League with Uzbekistan and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai knockout stage places up for progressed to the Round of 16 from the grabs for all four Group C group. teams today. Regulations allowed for 35 players to One point will be enough be registered by each club, but Al Hilal for Al Duhail to reach the registered 30 of which only 27 travelled to Round of 16, while Al Taa- Doha at the start of the competition. woun’s fate is out of their In order to support the technical prepara- hands, as they would require tions of the club aff ected by Covid-19, the the three points in addition AFC subsequently allowed addition of two to a draw in the other game goalkeepers to replace those who had today between Sharjah and tested positive for Covid-19 and worked Persepolis. with the Qatar Football Association to Having reached the knock- Al Duhail head coach Walid facilitate the timely arrival of the replace- out stages in each of the last Regragui. ment goalkeepers in Doha besides two two editions, Al Duhail have other players and two other off icials who the ambition to go all the way TODAY’S FIXTURES had not travelled. in the 2020 AFC Champions Group C Al Hilal and Saudi Arabia Football Federa- League and head coach Walid 9pm: Persepolis (IRN) vs tion (SAFF) had requested a postpone- Regragui believes he will need Sharjah (UAE), at Jassim Bin ment of yesterday’s match against each and every member of his Hamad Stadium Shabab Al Ahli Dubai referencing the squad to achieve that objec- 9pm: Al Duhail (QAT) vs Al Special Rules Applicable to AFC Competi- tive. Taawoun (KSA), at Educa- tions During the COVID-19 Pandemic. “This is the last game in the tion City Stadium While “the AFC Competitions Committee group stage and it is like a fi nal (or any sub-committee carrying out du- between us and Al Taawoun,” Group D ties on its behalf) may grant an exception said Regrargui. 6pm: Al Nassr (KSA) vs Al to the foregoing and allow the relevant “I was very happy with the Duhail’s Medhi Benatia (right) clears the ball during the AFC Champions League Group C match against Iran’s Persepolis at the Edu- Ain (UAE), at Education City Match to be rescheduled”, the Covid-19 return and contribution of cation City Stadium on Monday. (AFP) Stadium Sub Committee decided that a postpone- Karim Boudiaf and Edmilson 6pm: Sepahan (IRN) vs Al ment would have a huge negative impact Junior in the previous match continue to compete on all French coach Patrice Carteron “As a coach you always take “My job is to fi nd solutions Sadd (QAT), at Jassim Bin on the current match schedule and so no as they make us a better team, fronts. We must continue with ahead of Matchday Five did the responsibility for wins or to make Al Taawoun more Hamad Stadium exception was granted. but for me, a team that wants the same rhythm and the same not change things as they suf- defeats, but the next game will competitive. Al Duhail have The statement added: “The AFC Medical to go far in the competition spirit.” fered a 6-0 defeat to Sharjah. also be a test of the players abil- been playing well and have Team and the Qatar Health Authorities needs the eff orts of all players After a bright start to the “Tomorrow’s match is like ity to react well after the defeat. defeated Persepolis. We ana- the competition came in the continue to be committed to the safety in the squad. competition with back-to- a fi nal. We still have hope of Even if we had won the previ- lysed their performance in the reverse fi xture on Matchday and wellbeing of all the participating “I am proud of my players back wins, Al Taawoun have qualifying to the next round, ous match, we would still have past two days, and we will try Two, with Mohamed al-Sal- clubs and all appropriate medical care because every player I fi eld been off -form since the re- but we need to restore our bal- needed to win this one. We to prepare our team to get the hawi and Abdulmajeed al- and support is being given to those who works hard and gives his all. start, losing all three subse- ance after the last defeat,” said hope we can do well and regain win.” Swat scoring their two unan- test positive.” Despite many absences, we quent matches. The arrival of Carteron. our balance by winning here. Al Taawoun’s last win in swered goals.

FOCUS Al Sadd’s Xavi eyes top spot ahead of Sepahan match

AFC early optimism quickly petered Doha out with a draw and three losses following, meaning the Iranians’ hopes had evaporated by the end ith Round of 16 of Matchday Five. qualifi cation al- “We have a very important and ready secured, Al hard game against Al Sadd who Sadd SC hope to are a strong team and have in- Wend their 2020 AFC Champions vested well, which makes them League group stage at the sum- one of the contenders to go far in mit of Group C when they take the competition,” said Sepahan on already-eliminated Sepahan boss Mojtaba Toutouni. FC today. “This is the AFC Champions Baghdad Bounedjah’s 87th League, and every game is im- minute equaliser against Al Nassr portant to all players and teams. on Monday ensured Al Sadd re- Getting the three points is always main one of three sides yet to lose important for us. We have the a match in the West Asia groups motivation to defend the name of of the competition, and should our club, our city and our coun- they get the three points against try, while our domestic league Sepahan while Al Nassr fail to starts soon so we need to prepare beat Al Ain, they would leapfrog the players for the upcoming sea- them to top spot in the group and son. head coach Xavi is unfazed by the Sepahan are without a goal in challenge. the competition in 372 minutes, “We have to win, we want to with Mohammad Tayyebi’s 78th fi nish the group stage well and minute strike against Al Ain on win this group,” said the Span- the opening matchday their last iard. sight of goal to date, but Toutouni “We are up against a very good said hard work is the only way to team, who are well organised and end the drought. know how to defend and attack. Al Sadd head coach Xavi Hernandez. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil Al Sadd’s Baghdad Bounedjah (left) in action during the AFC Champions League Group D match against Al “We create a lot of chances, We are in a tough group and all Nassr on Monday. but our problem is in the fi nal three opponents are very strong. pens. Whether it is Al Duhail, competition in the Round of 16, touch and fi nishing. It can be re- “Last season we played against Sharjah, Al Taawoun or Perse- so let’s win this one and see.” aside 3-0 on Matchday Two at the minute brace after Akram Afi f had competition came in the open- solved but we need to train more Al Duhail in the Round of 16 and polis, all the teams are tough. We The last time the two sides met, Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, with opened the scoring. ing game of the tournament with and work on improving this as- we won, but let’s see what hap- are playing against the best in the Al Sadd brushed their opponents Hassan al-Haydos scoring a six- Sepahan’s only win in the a 4-0 thumping of Al Ain, but pect of our game.” Gulf Times 2 Thursday, September 24, 2020 AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

REPORT FOCUS Winning Esteghlal cruise mentality key past Al Ahli to seal for Al Nassr coach Vitoria AFC wanting to win, regardless of Doha the opposition. We want to win tomorrow to secure fi rst place in the group. Our goal previously knockout berth audi Pro League side was to qualify from the group, Al Nassr face UAE Pro and we took it step-by-step but Ghaedi, Karimi and Diabate score in Esteghlal’s 3-0 win over Al Ahli Saudi League’s Al Ain FC on now we want to win this game Matchday Six of Group because this team’s mentality is a DS in the 2020 AFC Champions winning one.” AFC Doha League today, with the former On the contrary, the 2020 AFC having already qualifi ed for the Champions League has been a Round of 16 while their oppo- disappointing campaign for the steghlal cruised into nents have been eliminated. competition’s inaugural win- the 2020 AFC Champi- Al Nassr had cruised through ners Al Ain, who remain with- ons League Round of 16 the group stage, beating Sepahan out a win in the AFC Champions with an emphatic 3-0 FC twice and drawing against League since their 4-1 win over victoryE over Group A leaders Al Al Sadd SC twice, while their Qatar’s Al Rayyan in April 2018, Ahli Saudi in Matchday Six yes- previous match against Al Ain a run that stretches 13 games terday. on Matchday Two was decided across three editions. Head coach Majid Namjoo- by goals from Mukhtar Ali and “This is our fi nal match here. Motlagh’s men went into the current top scorer Abderazzaq We will fi ght to get the points game with the knowledge that Hamdallah. just like we promised our fans. only a two-goal margin win A win for coach Rui Vitoria’s We will be facing the best team in would secure their place in the men would secure the top spot, the group, and they are the group Round of 16 alongside Al Ahli but a draw could also be enough leaders,” said Portuguese coach and ahead of Al Shorta, and from for Al Nassr to snatch the top Pedro Emanuel. the start they made their inten- spot, provided Al Sadd fail to de- “At this level of competition tions clear. feat Sepahan in the other Group between big teams who have An early spell of sustained D fi xture today. good players, the little details will possession for Esteghlal saw “This is a new match, and our make all the diff erence. We have them patiently probe and look aim as always is to win. Al Ain prepared well for the matches, for an opening, which they had are a good team and they have a and we have played each game for the fi rst time after 21 min- good manager even though they with the aim of getting all the utes when club captain Vorya missed their shot at qualifying to points to get back on track. Ghafouri lined a free-kick from the next round,” said Vitoria. “We suff ered due to lack of 20 yards, curling it past the wall “The format of this tourna- competitive matches for six but fairly centrally allowing ment is something new. I like months, this had a huge eff ect on goalkeeper Mohamed al-Owais it because it allows us to work us but participating in this com- to make a fl ying save to tip it be- closely with the players all the petition had lots of benefi ts for hind for a corner. time. We are ready to keep play- us going forward.” Esteghlal went a step further, ing like this, but at the same time With the group’s two tickets beating al-Owais in the 26th what makes it diffi cult is the to the Round-of-16 going to Al minute. Mehdi Ghaedi delivered short period between matches. Nassr and Al Sadd, the two sides a pinpoint cross that was met “Whoever reaches the fi nal will have an eye on Group C fi x- by Ali Karimi on the half-volley, will have achieved some sort of tures taking place today to fi nd but the midfi elder’s eff ort can- a miracle, because they will have out their next opponents, with noned off the upright. done something incredible under all of Al Duhail, Sharjah, Perse- Three minutes later, the Ira- diffi cult circumstances. polis and Al Taawoun still in with nian dominance fi nally pro- “We go into every match a chance of qualifying. duced a goal. Farshid Esmaeili received the ball down the left and fed Ghaedi on the edge of the box. The Esteghlal number 10 drilled a powerful drive that nestled into the bottom corner despite al-Owais’ best eff orts to save. Al Ahli’s troubles were dou- Esteghlal’s Mehdi Ghaedi (left) vies for the ball with Al Ahli Saudi’s Hussein Abdulghani (centre) as Esteghlal’s Ali Karimi looks on during their bled seven minutes before the AFC Champions League Group A match at Al Janoub Stadium yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil break as Ghaedi turned from scorer to creator, sending a cross were quick to cement their place the Malian forward guided his when substitute Hussain al- fi nish second behind confi rmed from the right fl ank into the far in the Round of 16 with a third header past al-Owais to make it Moqahwi fi red a thunderous Group A winners Al Ahli, goal post for Karimi who evaded his goal. 3-0. strike from 30 yards out, and the diff erence giving Iranians the marker and headed home Es- Karimi supplied a chipped Goalkeeper Seyed Hossein Iranian goalkeeper did well to advantage over Al Shorta, who teghlal’s second. cross from the edge of the pen- Hosseini got his fi rst big test make the save. are consigned to a narrow group After the restart, Esteghlal alty area for Cheick Diabate and of the night in the 79th minute The result means Esteghlal stage exit. Al Nassr coach Rui Vitoria.

PREVIEW SPOTLIGHT Rampant Sharjah urged to avoid Pakhtakor beat Shahr Khodro to move into Round of 16 complacency against Persepolis AFC Doha

AFC Doha akhtakor FC sealed top spot in Group B of the 2020 AFC Champions ne of the two Round- League after defeat- of-16 tickets from the ingP Shahr Khodro FC 1-0 on 2020 AFC Champions Matchday Six of the competi- League Group C is set tion yesterday. toO be decided in the Matchday Six Pakhtakor’s qualifi cation to direct clash between Sharjah and the Round of 16 was confi rmed Perseplis at Jassim bin Hamad after Al Hilal were deemed to Stadium today. have withdrawn from the com- Both teams have seven points petition after failing to name going into their last game of the the required 13 players for their group stage, where a win for ei- match against Shabab Al Ahli. ther team means a place at the The decision meant all next stage. matches played by Al Hilal were A superior goal-diff erence considered null and void ac- means a draw would favour Shar- cording to Article 6 of the AFC jah, but it could also mean elimi- Champions League regulations nation for both sides should Al and therefore Pakhtakor and Taawoun defeat Al Duhail in the Shabab Al Ahli Dubai have pro- other game today. gressed to the Round of 16 from Sharjah have been in red hot Group B. form, scoring 10 goals in their Persepolis’ Ahmad Nourollahi (centre) in action against Sharjah during their AFC Champions League Group On the pitch, the two sides last two games to brush aside Al C match on February 18, 2020. (AFC) started cautiously, and chances Duhail 4-2 and Al Taawoun 6-0, were few and far between in the Pakhtakor’s Jaloliddin Masharipov (left) in action during the AFC but coach Abdulaziz al-Anbari is especially as a defensive line League games, one from a Shojae “The opponents are a team opening half an hour. Champions League Group B match against Shahr Khodro at Al adamant his side should not get and as a goalkeeper. We saw that Khalilzadeh header following a that take opportunities very well Shahr Khodro tested goal- Janoub Stadium yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil carried away with those results Persepolis are very strong from corner-kick and another from a so if we do not have the required keeper Eldorbek Suyunov in the ahead of the decisive Persepolis the game we played against them Bashar Resan penalty. level of concentration, we cannot 19th minute when Ali Nemati the campaign. The winger rose means Pakhtakor end the group match. and they scored two goals,” said “We all know it will be a dif- win. The players are ready, and looked to guide his header from highest to head in Javokhir stage with 10 points from four “After the last game, the man- al-Hosani. fi cult match and possibly one of they will do their best and hope- Mohamed Khalatbari’s cross. Sidikov’s corner at the near post games, fi nishing three points ager prepared us and said that it When the two teams faced-off the most important in our sea- fully we can get the three points Pakhtakor came within inch- and put Pakhtakor in front. ahead of Shabab Al Ahli, while was a good result, but it is still only in Sharjah seven months ago, the son,” said Persepolis head coach we need.” es of scoring in the 57th minute Ceran came close to doubling Shahr Khodro go home with no worth three points,” said Sharjah Emiratis came from behind twice Yahya Golmohammadi. Persepolis have reached the when Dragan Ceran found space Pakhtakor’s lead two minutes points and no goals. goalkeeper Adel al-Hosani. to equalise 2-2. “There is no doubt that our knockout stages three times inside the box and headed Ab- later after a well-worked move The fi rst two Round-of-16 “The next match is very im- Ali Alipour’s brace for Persep- players should be attacking, be- in the past fi ve editions of the rorbek Ismoilov’s cross but his from a free-kick down the left fi xtures have now been con- portant, so we cannot get too olis were the last goals from open cause we need the three points. competition, with their best re- attempt went narrowly over the fl ank that was played low for the fi rmed with Group A winners Al confi dent going into the last play. Following the 25-year-old’s So it is important that all players sult a runners-up fi nish in 2018. crossbar. Serbian who was positioned at Ahli Saudi facing Group B run- matchday. As players we are departure to Portuguese side are involved in creating chances Sharjah, meanwhile, reached the The stalemate was fi - the penalty spot but Ceran side- ners-up Shabab Al Ahli Dubai ready for the next game, we want Maritimo in the summer, Persep- and at the same time it’s impor- quarter-fi nals in their only pre- nally ended in the 65th footed his eff ort just inches wide. and Group B winners Pakhtakor to give our all for the 90 minutes. olis have only scored two goals in tant that we focus on the defen- vious AFC Champions League minute through Jaloliddin The result, alongside the an- playing Group A runners-up “We have to be fully focused, their next three AFC Champions sive side. appearance. Masharipov’s second goal of nulment of Al Hilal’s results, Esteghlal. Gulf Times Thursday, September 24, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

SUPER CUP SPOTLIGHT Frank de Boer appointed Bayern coach Flick Netherlands coach

AFP The Hague

rank de Boer has been plays down virus appointed as the Neth- erlands’ new coach, the Royal Dutch Football FederationF (KNVB) announced yesterday. The third-most capped Dutch player of all time, De Boer re- places Ronald Koeman who re- risk in Budapest signed earlier this year to take the reins at Barcelona, and care- taker coach Dwight Lodeweges. fourth successive Eredivisie ti- “The 50-year-old former in- tle with Ajax, the fi rst manager ‘After all, I live in Munich which is almost a corona hotspot’ ternational will be at the helm ever to achieve this in the Dutch of the Oranje until the World league. AFP Cup in 2022,” the KNVB said in a He resigned from Ajax in 2016 Budapest statement. and signed a three-year contract De Boer “is to start imme- at Inter Milan in August that diately,” it added, saying he year, but was sacked after only ayern Munich head “will already be on the bench in 85 days at the helm after a string coach Hansi Flick has the upcoming practice match of losses. played down the risk against Mexico and the Na- In June 2017, De Boer was an- of today’s UEFA Super tions League duels with Bosnia- nounced as the new manager CupB clash with Sevilla becom- Herzegovina and Italy”. of Premier League side Crystal ing a super spreader event de- De Boer, a talented left-foot- Palace but was sacked 10 weeks spite host city Budapest being ed defender while playing for later when Palace lost their fi rst designated a coronavirus risk the Oranje between 1990 and four league matches of the sea- zone. 2004, has had a mixed career as son without scoring a single “After all, I live in Mu- a coach. goal. nich which is almost a corona He fi rst took up coaching at He was announced as new hotspot,” Flick said yesterday Amsterdam powerhouse Ajax coach at Atlanta United in De- with numbers of new infections in 2007 and assisted Bert van cember 2018 and in his fi rst sea- also rising in the Bavarian capi- Marwijk, together with retired son the eastern team won the US tal. player Phillip Cocu to help the Open and the Campeones Cup “We came here to play foot- Dutch team reach the fi nal of the and played in the Eastern Con- ball, these decisions are made 2010 World Cup in South Af- ference fi nal. elsewhere. We have one goal: to rica, where they were beaten by De Boer and the club however win the Super Cup.” Spain. parted ways in July after another Champions League win- Later that year he took over as set of losses, after which he was ners Bayern face Europa League caretaker manager at Ajax and approached by the KNVB. winners Sevilla at Budapest’s guided them to become Eredi- De Boer will offi cially be pre- Puskas Arena for the Super Cup visie champions for the 2010-11 sented by the KNVB at its train- with up to 20,000 fans allowed season. ing centre in Zeist near the cen- to attend in a stadium which has By 2014 De Boer won his tral city of Utrecht tomorrow. a capacity of 67,000. The showcase clash has taken on a political dimension since FOCUS the German government de- clared Hungary’s capital city a risk zone. As a result, hundreds of Bay- Teams not willing ern fans have returned their tickets with club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge antic- to sell Moyes’ ipating “less than a thousand” will be at the game. Sevilla expect to have around transfer targets, says 500 supporters in Budapest. Both clubs have off ered trav- elling fans Covid-19 tests, while West Ham owner the Hungarian FA has promised the Puskas Arena will be safe, Reuters manager and we’ve got two or despite a high number of virus London three bids in, but unfortunately cases in the city. the benchmark is very high and Bayern captain Manuel Neuer it’s very hard to get those play- said he would fully understand est Ham United ers. “We have a number of bids any fan’s decision to stay at may not sign any in for a number of players, but home, especially after Bavaria’s Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick (left) and Manuel Neuer during their training session in Budapest yesterday. (Reuters) more players before teams don’t want to lose them... state premier advised travelling the transfer win- key players at decent sized clubs, fans to “think twice”. forward Robert Lewandowski tion of Schalke. Despite a lack of you can expect a lot in a football eran, whose coach Lopetegui Wdow shuts on Oct 5 as the bids outside the UK... so whether we “We don’t really know what has shaken off an ankle knock match fi tness for the Spaniards sense and, for that reason, a top sees facing Bayern as a chance made for targets named by man- get any of these players I do not to expect,” admitted goalkeeper and defender David Alaba - who do not start their domes- game too.” to “motivate us and make us ager David Moyes have not been know.” Neuer, who said he had com- has recovered from a ham- tic campaign until Sunday – Sevilla midfi elder Fernando grow”. accepted, the Premier League A number of players have left plete “understanding” for the string problem. Bayern are on a Flick expects a tough game. said they were relishing the “They’ve got fantastic play- club’s co-owner David Sullivan West Ham, including winger discussions and every fan must 22-match winning streak dating “They’re a mature team, tac- chance to end Bayern’s mara- ers, a fantastic team, but we also has said. Grady Diangana, whose sale to “decide for themselves what is back to February, having kicked tically good. It’ll be dynamic, thon winning streak. have quality, added Fernando. West Ham have made only newly-promoted West Brom- right for them”. off the new Bundesliga season intense,” said Flick of Julen Lo- “We know it’ll be tough,” said “We’re going to work hard, do one fi rst-team signing in defen- wich Albion was even criticised Meanwhile, Flick said star on Friday with a 8-0 demoli- petegui’s side. “From both sides the 33-year-old Brazilian vet- our best and see what happens.” sive midfi elder Tomas Soucek by club captain Mark Noble. and successive league defeats by Sullivan added the club could Newcastle United and Arsenal be in fi nancial trouble if spec- have only stoked the fans’ anger tators remain barred from sta- Lewandowski, Neuer and De Bruyne nominated for UEFA player prize towards the club’s hierarchy for diums to prevent the spread of the lack of incoming players. Covid-19. Bayern Munich duo Robert Lewandowski and Neuer starred as Bayern won the set up 33 goals in the English Premier UEFA’s member associations. England Sky Sports reported West “We’ve got limited funds,” he and Manuel Neuer have been nominated Champions League, beating Paris Saint- League and was nominated despite City star Lucy Bronze is a contender to win Ham made an off er for Burnley added. “We’ve also got the fact alongside Manchester City’s Kevin De Germain 1-0 in the final in Lisbon in Au- finishing second to Liverpool domesti- the women’s prize for the second year centre back James Tarkowski but we’ll probably get no gate mon- Bruyne for the UEFA Men’s Player of gust. Polish striker Lewandowski scored cally and going out of the Champions running after helping Lyon win the Cham- the London side failed to meet ey for the rest of the season and the Year prize for last season, European an astonishing 55 goals in 47 games as League in the quarter-finals to Lyon. pions League for the fifth season in a row the asking price after off ering 30 we’ve got to keep the club afl oat football’s governing body announced Bayern won the treble of Champions Barcelona’s Lionel Messi just missed out before recently signing for Manchester million pounds ($38.18 million). and pay wages. yesterday. The winner will be announced League, Bundesliga and German Cup. on being shortlisted, coming fourth in the City. Her Lyon colleague, the France de- “We’ve got a very unbalanced “We’ve chased dreams the – along with the UEFA Women’s Player of He top-scored in the Champions League vote by a jury comprising the 80 coaches fender Wendie Renard, is also shortlisted squad. We’ve now got the funds last two years and bought a pile the Year – on October 1, when UEFA hold with 15 goals. of the clubs that participated in the alongside the Danish striker Pernille to buy a player or two, but un- of players who haven’t impacted the draw for this season’s Champions Goalkeeper Neuer also played a key role group stages of last season’s Champions Harder, who recently joined Chelsea after fortunately... the players the the club, and maybe they will League group stage at their headquar- in Bayern’s triumphant campaign, while League and Europa League, along with helping Wolfsburg get to the Champions manager wants we can’t get,” over the coming seasons because ters in Nyon, Switzerland. Lewandowski Belgian playmaker De Bruyne scored or 55 selected journalists, one from each of League final. (AFP) Sullivan told talkSPORT. there are some damned good “I’m waiting for targets for the players.”

COMMENT ‘Pressing monster’ Jota perfect for Liverpool, says Lijnders AFP “He has so much future in the game glimpse of the diff erent dimension he London and he will have a great pathway inside can off er the Reds by completing more our club. He’s like a pressing monster, passes than any Chelsea player in so he will fi t in straight away.” Sunday’s 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge, iverpool assistant manager Lijnders worked for eight years as a despite playing just 45 minutes as a Pep Lijnders believes new coach at Porto, where he came across a second-half substitute. signing Diogo Jota will have young Jota then playing for Pacos Fer- And Lijnders is not concerned about no problem making his mark at reira. the increased competition for places Lthe club despite some surprise at the “We played against each other when as Liverpool aim to avoid becoming reported £41 million fee ($54 million) he was very young. In Portugal, they too predictable. the English champions paid Wolves all say what a great signing Liverpool “He is a great signing. We didn’t for the Portuguese international. made, because they know exactly how buy a problem, we bought a solution,” Jota, 23, scored 44 goals in 131 games he is and what kind of potential he still said the Dutchman. for Wolves and has been brought in has,” he added. “Good teams need good players and to off er more back up to Liverpool’s “He will fi t into our style. We are we are really happy he is with us be- established from three of Mohamed happy with him, and all the things we cause this team especially deserves a Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio heard are true. He is a very profes- player like him because he will make Mane, who have shone for the past sional, passionate, dedicated, brave sure we keep evolving. three seasons. player.” “Teams adapt, teams try to destroy “His technical level is on the same Jota’s arrival went under the radar our plans and what is most important as our front three,” said Lijnders, who just 24 hours after Liverpool complet- is that we stay unpredictable and un- stood in for Jurgen Klopp to do the ed the signing of Spanish internation- predictability means from each posi- Reds’ pre-match press conference al midfi elder Thiago Alcantara. tion we can play the last pass and we ahead of today’s League Cup tie at The former Barcelona and Bay- can speed up the games and Thiago Lincoln. ern Munich playmaker gave an early does that for us.” Gulf Times 4 Thursday, September 24, 2020 FOOTBALL

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Qatar Stars League signs co-operation Atletico-bound agreement with Aspetar Hospital

QNA Suarez leaves Barca Doha atar Stars League (QSL) has signed a co-operation agree- There’s no doubt that Aspetar, ment with Aspetar with its tremendous capabili- Hospital,Q the latter becoming ties, programmes and reputed its offi cial medical partner. initiatives, is considered as one training in tears The agreement aims to rein- of the most important sports force aspects of co-operation medicine facilities in the and joint eff orts, and take ad- world, and we look forward to- He leaves as the club’s third highest scorer with 198 goals behind Rodriguez and Messi vantage of both entities’ ca- wards strengthening relations, pabilities to achieve common co-operation and achieving goals and ambitions. common goals.” AFP Executive Director of Sales, For his part, Chief Adminis- Madrid Marketing and Communica- trative Offi cer at Aspetar Khalid tions at QSL Hassan Rabiah Ali al-Mawlawi said “We have al-Kuwari said, “I extend my strong relationship with Qatar uis Suarez left his last thanks and appreciation to Stars League and Qatar Football Barcelona training ses- all those in charge of Aspetar Association, and through this sion in tears yesterday as Hospital, medical as well as co-operation we intend to ap- he prepares for a move to administrative staff , and all ply our expertise and initiatives LLa Liga rivals Atletico Madrid. employees for their active, in- in the fi eld of sports medicine Spanish television chan- fl uential and vital role with us, and exercise science that would nel Gol showed the Uruguayan especially during the past pe- benefi t sports competitions. I striker wiping away tears with riod, and we’re pleased to sign would like to extend my sincere his sleeve as he drove off after this agreement, which comes thanks and appreciation to Qa- saying his last goodbyes. in line with our keenness to tar Stars League and its mem- Suarez had become close form strong and constructive bers for their professionalism friends with above all Lionel partnerships with many ac- at work. We wish them great Messi since his arrival at the tive community institutions. success in the future.” Catalan club in 2014. Catalan daily Sport con- fi rmed: “Luis Suarez left the Qatar Stars League signs sponsorship Sant Joan Despi training centre in tears. The Uruguayan player agreement with Doha Bus greeted his teammates for his last training before signing his Qatar Stars League (QSL) signed yesterday a sponsorship agree- exit papers.” ment with Doha Bus, one of the Qatari companies that provides “At the end of the session the tourism programmes and services with a modern and distinc- Uruguayan said goodbye to those tive entertainment concept with a view to introduce Qatar’s who were his teammates over the urban, historical and cultural landmarks into an atmosphere of past six years,” Spanish sports fun to tourists from across the world. daily Marca reported. The agreement was announced today in the presence of Direc- At the start of the week Marca tor of Sales and Marketing at QSL Nasser Yaqoub Larm, and endorsed an earlier report on Faisal Khalid al-Suwaidi, on behalf of CEO of Doha Bus Khalid RAC1 radio announcing that the Mohamed al-Suwaidi. The agreement aims to achieve common 33-year-old was “no longer a goals and provide the necessary support to fulfil aspirations as Barcelona player”. well as ambitions, and benefit from the capabilities and exper- It said that he decided to forgo tise of both entities. Commenting on the partnership, the Direc- a percentage of this season’s sal- tor of Sales and Marketing at QSL said “we’re pleased to sign ary in return for being allowed to this agreement with Doha Bus, according to which the company leave. All the signs are that he is joined the list of sponsors and partners of QSL. We’re proud of poised to join Diego Simeone’s the initiatives and programmes by the company, and we look Atletico, who like Barca make forward to enhance our co-operation in future. I also extend their La Liga seasonal bow this my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Board of Directors of weekend. Doha Bus, wishing them more success.” “It’s done, Luis Suarez is going For his part, al-Suwaidi said that “we’re pleased to co-operate to Atletico,” Marca announced with the Qatar Stars League and sign this agreement, and we on its front page yesterday. hope to fulfil all our common goals and objectives as we go Suarez’s days at Barca were along.” (QNA) numbered ever since new coach Ronald Koeman included him in a list of players he said he In this file photo taken on March 13, 2019, Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (right) celebrates with Barcelona’s Uruguayan forward wouldn’t be counting on for the Luis Suarez after scoring during their UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between against Olympique Lyonnais at the new season. Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona. (AFP) Sweden’s 1958 World Cup runner-up Others not in Koeman’s plans Agne Simonsson dies aged 84 were Arturo Vidal (since moved Wolves sign Barcelona defender Nelson Semedo to Inter Milan), Ivan Rakitic (Se- Former Sweden international to break into a team with villa) and Samuel Umtiti. Wolves announced the signing £27.6 million) plus 10 million “I hope this year we can do very finals of the Europa League. Agne Simonsson, who scored Alfredo Di Stefano and was Since joining Barca from Liv- of Portugal right-back Nelson Se- euros more in “variables”. good things.” Semedo is looking “It’s isn’t often that we have the in his country’s 1958 World loaned to Real Sociedad. erpool in 2014 Suarez has won medo from Barcelona yesterday “FC Barcelona would like to pub- forward to linking up with his opportunity to sign a world-class Cup final loss to Brazil, has Simonsson scored four times a host of trophies including the for a fee that could rise to £37 licly express their gratitude to compatriot Nuno and a number player from a world-class club,” died at the age of 84, his fam- during the 1958 World Cup 2015 Champions League and million. The Premier League club Nelson Semedo for his commit- of international teammates at he said. “Nelson’s signing shows ily announced yesterday. hosted by Sweden, including four Liga titles. He leaves as the said the 26-year-old had signed a ment and dedication and wishes the club. He said: “Coach Nuno is we will never stop progress- Simonsson passed away in the 5-2 loss to Brazil and a club’s third highest scorer with three-year deal at Molineux, with him all the best for the future,” a very good coach. He did very ing and we are still hungry and Tuesday following pulmonary 17-year-old Pele in the final. 198 goals behind Cesar Rodrigu- an option to extend until 2025. the club said in a statement. good things here at Wolves, and humble in our heart.” complications, his brother He later coached Orgryte IS, ez (232) and Messi (634). The Portugal international, Semedo told the Wolves website at other teams too. For sure, I’m Earlier this month Wolves signed told local newspaper Gote- the club where he spent most The Atletico move follows his who made 124 appearances for he had chosen the club because going to learn a lot from him.” teenage Portuguese forward borgs Posten. of his playing days, and won failed attempt to join Juventus. Barcelona, joins Nuno Espirito they were a quality team that Wolves executive chairman Jeff Fabio Silva from Porto for a club The forward scored 27 goals the 1985 Swedish league play- Juve coach Andrea Pirlo dis- Santo’s side after three seasons played good football. “Last year Shi said the signing was a coup record fee of 40 million euros in 51 appearances for Sweden off s to qualify for the follow- closed last week a deal was un- at the Nou Camp. they had a very good season for the club, who finished sev- and have also added young Liv- in a career that included a ing year’s European Cup. likely because of delays in the Barcelona said Wolves would and it’s a very important team in enth in the Premier League last erpool defender Ki-Jana Hoever brief spell at Real Madrid in He joined Swedish football’s Uruguayan’s bid to get an Italian pay 30 million euros ($35 million, England, in also Europe,” he said. season and reached the quarter- to their squad. the early 1960s. He struggled Hall of Fame in 2008. passport.

LEAGUE CUP Lampard urges Hudson-Odoi to seize his chance at Chelsea AFP said. “But the absolute natural London winger who is fi t at the minute is Callum. “He has to show in every minute, on and off the ball, what rank Lampard has chal- he can do for the team and that’s lenged Callum Hudson- the position Callum is in at the Odoi to prove his worth for minute. He’s had an early break- Chelsea when he gets a rare through in his career because of his fiF rst-team start in today’s League talent, he’s had an injury and now I Cup clash against Barnsley. want to see him fl ourish again.” The Blues boss has confi rmed Bayern Munich are reportedly the England winger will make just keen to sign Hudson-Odoi on loan his second start since February 1 in and Lampard, who has been busy the match at Stamford Bridge. in the transfer market, has not The 19-year-old shot to promi- ruled out departures. Centre-back nence with both Chelsea and Eng- Toni Rudiger was omitted from land after making his debut for the Chelsea’s squad for Sunday’s 2-0 club in 2018, but a ruptured Achil- league loss to Liverpool. les tendon last year slowed his Asked if Rudiger or Hudson- progress. Odoi could leave, even on loan, in Hudson-Odoi has long since current transfer window, Lampard shaken off that issue but contin- said: “I’m going to skirt around that ues to battle for regular football question; it remains to be seen.” and Lampard said it “remains to be “My priority will always be seen” whether he could be loaned making sure I maintain and keep out before the transfer window the strongest squad I can for this closes on October 5. The Chelsea club but after that of course, the boss said the winger must seize his individual conversations will hap- opportunities while other players pen within that,” he added. were unavailable. “I will try and make sure I go “At the moment we have Chris- into the season, once the window tian Pulisic injured, Hakim Ziyech shuts, with the squad that I feel injured. We played Timo Werner is healthy and competitive in a out wide against Liverpool,” he healthy way.” Chelsea coach Frank Lampard (left) with Callum Hudson-Odoi. Gulf Times Thursday, September 24, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA NFL Giants sign Freeman, place Shepard on IR Murray to the rescue against the Bears. Reuters New York Lewis, who turns 30 this Sun- day, signed a one-year deal with New York in March after seven he New York Giants seasons with the Philadelphia signed running back Eagles (2011-12), New England Devonta Freeman to help Patriots (2015-17) and Tennessee fi ll the void by the injury Titans (2018-19). as Nuggets hold ofT Saquon Barkley, the team an- His best season was with the nounced yesterday. Patriots in 2017 when he rushed Freeman, who was cut by the for 896 yards and six touch- ‘That’s my whole energy, my whole ap- Atlanta Falcons on March 16, downs and hauled in 32 catches reportedly will earn up to $3 mil- for 214 yards and three scores. proach to the game, not getting down lion on the one-year deal. He won a Super Bowl LI ring The two-time Pro Bowl selec- with New England. if I miss a couple of shots’ tion was brought in for a work- Barkley, 23, will undergo sur- off Lakers out on the heels of Barkley sus- gery on a date to be determined, taining a torn right ACL early in the team announced Tuesday. the second quarter of Sunday’s The two-time 1,000-yard 17-13 loss to the Bears in Chica- rusher and 2018 NFL Off ensive go. Barkley was placed on injured Rookie of the Year was hurt while reserve Tuesday. running toward the sideline and In a corresponding move, getting tackled by Bears safety the Giants placed wide receiver Eddie Jackson. Barkley grabbed Sterling Shepard on injured re- at the knee as he was taken to the serve Wednesday. Shepard suf- ground. Barkley ended the sea- fered a turf toe injury, also in the son with 19 carries for 34 yards second quarter on Sunday, and and six catches for 60 yards in will be eligible to return after two games with the Giants (0-2), three games. who host the San Francisco 49ers Freeman, 28, rushed for 3,972 (1-1) on Sunday (1pm ET). yards and 32 touchdowns and Barkley rushed for 1,307 yards caught 257 passes for 2,015 yards and 11 touchdowns as a 2018 and 11 scores in 77 career games rookie after being selected with (59 starts) with the Falcons. He the No. 2 overall pick in the draft registered back-to-back 1,000- out of Penn State. He rushed for yard seasons in 2015 and 2016. 1,003 yards last season despite Agent Drew Rosenhaus told missing three games and being ESPN’s Adam Schefter that limited in several others due to a Freeman welcomes the chance to high ankle sprain. play in New York, saying, “Dev- After placing Barkley on IR, onta turned down more money the Giants signed cornerback from other teams because he Ryan Lewis, 26, off their prac- likes the opportunity with the tice squad. He joined the team’s Giants best.” practice squad on Sept. 8. Freeman will join a backfield Lewis has recorded 43 tackles that is now headed by Dion and two forced fumbles in 20 ca- Lewis, who carried 10 times for reer games with the Buff alo Bills, 20 yards and a touchdown and Indianapolis Colts, Eagles and added four catches for 36 yards Miami Dolphins.

SPOTLIGHT Raiders, Saints fi ned for mask violations

AFP asked about his failure to wear Los Angeles a mask during his team’s 34-24 win over the Saints. Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (left) dribbles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis during the second half of game three of the Western Conference Gruden revealed he had con- Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoff s at AdventHealth Arena. (USA TODAY Sports) he Las Vegas Raiders and tracted Covid-19 during the off - New Orleans Saints have season but had recovered. Saints AFP the Denver lead to just three overturned 3-1 series defi cits just wanted to see them have a late. They’re a great basketball been fi ned $250,000 coach Payton also contracted Orlando points with 3min 53sec left on en route to the Western Confer- lot of fun today.” team so credit it to them for the each for breaches of the coronavirus earlier this year. the clock in Orlando. ence fi nals. “I had no doubt we The Lakers meanwhile were win. They played a really good NFL’sT Covid-19 safety protocols “I’m doing my best. You know, But just as it looked as if Le- were going to show up tonight,” left refl ecting on an uneven dis- basketball game. regarding face coverings, reports I’ve had the virus. OK. I’m doing amal Murray scored 28 Bron James and Anthony Davis Malone said. play which ultimately left James “We were not as sharp as we said Tuesday. my best,” Gruden said on Mon- points as the Denver were poised to complete a re- “We have won six straight and Davis with too much to do. could have been on both ends Raiders head coach Jon Gru- day. “I’m very sensitive about it, Nuggets held off a fero- markable comeback, Murray re- elimination games. Everybody James led the scoring with a of the fl oor. We were playing at den and Saints counterpart Sean but I’m calling plays. cious late fi ghtback from grouped to take the game away always has us packing our bags triple double comprised of 30 a high level, but were a little bit Payton were also fi ned $100,000 “I just wanna communicate in Jthe Los Angeles Lakers to roar from the Lakers. The 23-year-old and leaving, but we’re not ready points, 10 rebounds and 11 as- off in the first half. apiece for their failure to wear these situations and I apologise back into contention in the Canadian’s three-pointer from to go. They’re a very resilient sists, with six turnovers. Davis “But I liked the spirit that face coverings during Monday’s and if I get fi ned, I will have to Western Conference fi nals se- 26 feet gave Denver a seven- group and they have proved that had 27 points, with Kentavious the guys competed with down meeting between the two teams pay the fi ne, but I’m very sensi- ries on Tuesday. point advantage at 106-99 and time and time again.” Caldwell-Pope (12) and Kyle the stretch to try and make it a in Nevada, NFL Network re- tive about all of that and I apolo- Murray nailed two crucial late he then provided the assist for Asked about his late fl our- Kuzma (11) the only other Lakers game.” ported. gise.” three-pointers in the closing Paul Millsap to make it 108-99. ish, Murray said he had set out players to crack double fi gures. Game four in the series takes The latest round of fi nes Meanwhile Seattle coach Pete minutes as Denver held on for a With less than a minute on the to lead by example. “That’s my Murray, who also had 12 assists, place in Orlando on Thursday. comes after the league hit the Carroll apologised on Tuesday 114-106 victory in game three to clock, Murray struck the dagger whole energy, my whole ap- was backed with 26 points from The winner of the Western Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco for his breach of face-covering reduce the Lakers’ lead to 2-1 in blow with a 29-foot three-point proach to the game, not getting Jerami Grant while Nikola Jokic Conference will play either the 49ers and Denver Broncos and rules, admitting he had “screwed the best-of-seven series. jumpshot to make it 111-99 and down if I miss a couple of shots,” weighed in with 22 points, 10 Boston Celtics or Miami Heat in their head coaches with identi- up”. But the Nuggets – who looked eff ectively seal victory. Murray said. rebounds and fi ve assists. the NBA Finals. cal fi nes on Monday for viola- “I had a coach who was re- in complete control for long pe- Denver coach Michael “I’m just trying to be aggres- “You put yourself in an The climax to the Covid-19- tions over the weekend. minding me about it throughout riods of the contest – were given Malone said his team – who had sive... but the most important 18-point hole, it’s tough to interrupted NBA season is tak- The NFL began handing out the game,” Carroll said. a mighty scare by the Lakers in a suff ered an agonising buzzer- part is the energy I bring when climb out of that,” Lakers coach ing place at Disneyworld in Or- penalties a week after giving “I even changed masks at thrilling fourth-quarter battle. beater defeat in game two on I’m talking to my teammates, Frank Vogel said. “I thought lando, where teams have been all 32 clubs in the league a re- halftime to fi nd one that worked The Lakers had trailed by 20 Sunday – were determined not being a vocal leader, getting up Denver played with great energy based in a secure “bubble” since minder to follow face covering better. Sometimes you have to points with just over 10 minutes to go 3-0 down in the series. and down and pushing every- throughout the game. We didn’t July in order to allow the NBA to guidelines. Raiders coach Gru- admit that you screwed up and remaining but whittled away The Nuggets have already body so they tend to follow. I match it early, we matched it complete the campaign. den apologised on Monday when have got to do better.”

MLB Dodgers clinch 8th straight NL West crown

AFP The Chicago Cubs meanwhile secured Los Angeles RESULTS their postseason ticket despite losing to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cubs advanced after Indians 5-3 White Sox Washington swept the Philadelphia Phillies he Los Angeles Dodgers blasted aside Dodgers 7-2 A’s in their double-header. This year’s Major the Oakland Athletics 7-2 to clinch Braves 11-1 Marlins League Baseball season was reduced to 60 an eighth consecutive National games following a delay to the start of the League West title on Tuesday. Astros 6-1 Mariners campaign caused by the coronavirus pan- TThe Dodgers, chasing a fi rst World Series Giants 5-2 Rockies demic. title since 1988, overpowered the Athletics Pirates 3-2 Cubs with home runs from Max Muncy, Chris Tay- INDIANS PUNCH PLAYOFF TICKET lor, A.J. Pollock and Corey Seager at an empty Twins 5-4 Tigers WITH WALK-OFF HR Dodger Stadium. Yankees 12-1 Blue Jays Jose Ramirez belted a three-run homer in The result, combined with San Diego’s de- Mets 5-2 Rays the 10th inning as the host Cleveland Indi- feat to the Los Angeles Angels, ensured the ans clinched a postseason berth in dramatic Brewers 3-2 Reds Dodgers topped the NL West once again. fashion with a 5-3 victory over the Chicago It also gives the Dodgers the number one Nationals 5-1 Phillies White Sox on Tuesday. Chicago appeared seeding heading into the National League Nationals 8-7 Phillies poised to prevent Cleveland from punch- ing its ticket to the postseason for the fourth playoff s. The Los Angeles powerhouses are Angels 4-2 Padres hoping to end a 32-year wait for a World Se- time in fi ve seasons after scoring twice in the ries crown after several recent near-misses. Red Sox 8-3 Orioles top of the 10th inning. Adam Engel ripped an The Dodgers lost in both the 2017 and 2018 Cardinals 5-0 Royals RBI triple off Phil Maton (3-3) before coming World Series, and made an early exit in the D’Backs 7-0 Rangers around to score on Nick Madrigal’s RBI single playoff s last year to eventual winners the to stake the White Sox to a 3-1 lead. Washington Nationals. dled this whole situation over the past few Undaunted, Francisco Lindor halved the Elsewhere Tuesday, the Atlanta Braves months. Everything about this year is diff er- defi cit in the bottom of the 10th with an RBI wrapped up a third straight National League ent, but we’re the champs. It’s hard to do that double off the top of the wall in center field. East title with an 11-1 rout of the Marlins. once, let alone we’ve had three in a row here.” Cesar Hernandez earned a walk off Matt Marcell Ozuna hit two home runs in a one- In Cleveland, Jose Ramirez smashed a Foster (5-1) to set the stage for Ramirez, who sided victory for the Braves, who saw pitcher three-run homer in the bottom of the 10th greeted Jose Ruiz by depositing his 2-2 fast- Bryse Wilson toss fi ve scoreless innings. inning to give the Indians a 5-3 victory over ball over the wall in right fi eld for his team- “This is diff erent,” Braves manager Brian the Chicago White Sox and clinch a postsea- leading 17th homer and sixth in as many Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder AJ Pollock (right) celebrates with his teammates after clinching the Snitker said. “I’m proud of how they han- son berth. games. National League West division title at the Dodger Stadium. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times 6 Thursday, September 24, 2020 SPORT

CYCLING SPOTLIGHT Quintana denies Sharma hits 80 as MI doping allegations break UAE ‘I HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANYTHING TO HIDE’ jinx in IPL

AFP ball knock to take his sixes count Dubai to 200 in the IPL. Mumbai bowlers including Trent Boult, James Pattinson, kipper Rohit Sharma Jasprit Bumrah and Rahul Cha- struck a brisk 80 to help har took two wickets each to re- holders Mumbai Indi- strict Kolkata to 146 for nine. ans win their fi rst match Meanwhile Kolkata’s Austral- inS the United Arab Emirates in ian quick Pat Cummins — the seven attempts during two IPL most expensive foreign player editions. for the 2020 season with a $2.17 Mumbai lost five matches mn fee — gave away 49 runs in in the 2014 season — the first his three overs. But later Cum- half of which was played in the mins, who played three one-day UAE due to elections in India matches in England ending Sep- — and went down in the opener tember 16 before coming to the of the Twenty20 tournament UAE, smashed 33 runs off 12 balls this season. Sharma put on a while coming in to bat at number key second-wicket stand of 90 seven. with Suryakumar Yadav, who “It is very unfair to judge him hit 47, to guide Mumbai to 195 right now. He is off quarantine,” for five and a 49-run win over KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik told Kolkata Knight Riders in Abu reporters. Dhabi. “He is a world champion “It was only two players bowler. From whatever I have (Sharma and Kieron Pollard) heard and seen he is one of the from the 2014 squad (that are best going around in the world. with Mumbai this season),” “I trust him completely. I am Sharma said. sure he will come good.” “It was all about how we ex- The 13th edition of the world’s ecuted our plans today, we were richest T20 league is being held in in good positions and it was all the UAE behind closed doors after about being ruthless.” being shifted out of India due to In this file photograph taken on Sharma hit six sixes in his 54- the rising coronavirus cases. September 19, 2020, Team Arkea-Samsic rider Colombia’s Dayer Quintana rides during the 20th stage of the 107th edition of the Tour de France.

AFP Monday, with press reports say- Nairo Quintana fi nished the and the American was stripped to be able to exercise their pro- Marseille ing they were a doctor and phys- Tour in 17th place, more than of his record seven titles. fession as professional cyclists iotherapist. an hour behind winner Tadej The French team’s general without any restriction”. Marseille prosecutor Domin- Pogacar. Quintana’s teammate manager Emmanuel Hubert told The probe will have come as a olombian rider Nairo ique Laurens said the pair, whom Warren Barguil was in in 14th AFP the probe involved only “a huge disappointment to organis- Quintana, whose Tour he had said had “many health place. very limited number of riders, as ers after positive headlines about de France team are tar- products including drugs in their It is the most significant well as their close entourage who the against-the-odds organisa- geted in a doping inves- personal belongings, but also investigation in years for the are not employed by the team”. tion of the race and the drama tigation,C said he had “nothing to and above all a method that can repeatedly scandal-hit Tour, “But if it turned out that at that saw Pogacar seize victory hide” after two unnamed mem- be qualifi ed as doping”, had both which wrapped up Sunday the end of the current investiga- late in the race. bers of the French outfi t were been released Tuesday. in Paris with a surprise vic- tion, elements confi rm the truth Many had predicted the Cov- briefl y detained before being “The investigation is ongoing,” tory for 21-year-old Slovenian of doping practices, the team id-19 pandemic would prevent released. Laurens said, adding that new de- debutant Pogacar, the young- would immediately dissociate the riders making it the 3,400 Quintana, 30, leader of the velopments were possible. est winner in more than a cen- itself from such acts and would kilometres (2,100 miles) from Arkea-Samsic team and winner “Investigations and hearings tury. take the necessary measures the Mediterranean city of Nice to of the 2014 Giro d’Italia, said no (must) be carried out before the The Tour was rocked by a ma- without delay,” Hubert said. the French capital. drugs were discovered during public prosecutor reaches a de- jor probe in 1998, when customs He added that the investiga- The prosecutor’s statement the investigation. cision on the basis of the ele- offi cials stopped a vehicle laden tion “does not target the team or said the investigation was fo- Rohit Sharma, captain of Mumbai Indians, plays against the Kolkata “No doping substance has ments collected.” with doping products and the its staff directly”. cused on the prescription of a Knight Riders in Sharjah yesterday. PICTURE: Sportzpics for BCCI ever been found,” Quintana said A source familiar with the Festina team was thrown off the Hubert added in a statement substance or banned method for in a statement. “I have nothing matter told AFP that searches race as the peloton headed into yesterday that two riders had athletes, as well as help and en- to hide and have never had any- had targeted several riders in- Paris. been interviewed as witnesses couragement in its use. Hyderabad replace injured Marsh with Holder thing to hide.” cluding Quintana’s brother Most notoriously, Lance Arm- and “at the end of this hear- The charges can lead to up to Police detained two people Dayer, as well as members of the strong, who won from 1999- ing they had been able to return fi ve years in prison and a 75,000- Dubai: Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Royal Challengers Bangalore from the Arkea-Samsic team on medical team. 2005, admitted doping in 2013 to their home, while being free euro ($88,000) fi ne. Australian all-rounder Mitchell on Monday and could not Marsh has been ruled out of finish bowling his first over as the rest of the Indian Premier a result. BOTTOMLINE League (IPL) tournament The 28-year-old was then with an ankle injury and will forced to come lower down be replaced by West Indies’ the order and struggled to put Jason Holder, the franchise said weight on his ankle, losing his yesterday. wicket on the first ball before Marsh twisted his right ankle he was helped off the field. on his follow-through in the Marsh was bought by Sunrisers Dhoni faces heat for go-slow in Sunrisers’ first match against for 20mn rupees ($272,098). chase against Rajasthan Royals FOCUS

AFP his international career, said Pakistan confi rm Dubai his lack of time in the middle prompted him to shuffl e the batting order. Zimbabwe for ndia great Mahendra Singh “I haven’t batted for a long Dhoni faced criticism yes- time. 14-day quarantine (in the terday for his uncharacter- United Arab Emirates) doesn’t ‘bio-secure’ series istically slow start in Chen- help,” Dhoni, who remained naiI Super Kings’ unsuccessful unbeaten on 29, said in the for a national T20 event starting AFP run chase in the IPL against post-match chat. Karachi September 30. Steve Smith’s Rajasthan Royals. “Also wanted to try diff erent By the time Zimbabwe ar- Dhoni, the Chennai captain, things, give opportunities to rive October 20, “we would have sent up young England all- Sam. Have the opportunity to akistan cricket authori- gained enough experience on rounder Sam Curran and Indian try diff erent things. If it doesn’t ties confi rmed yesterday bio-securing arrangements,” Premier League debutant Ru- work, you can always go back to they would host Zimba- said Zakir Khan, the PCB’s direc- turaj Gaikwad ahead of him in your strengths.” bwe for a series of three tor of international cricket. his team’s chase of 217 in Shar- Chennai coach Stephen Pone-day internationals and three Zimbabwe will bring a jah, United Arab Emirates, on Fleming told reporters, “MS is Twenty20s starting next month. 32-member squad to cater for Tuesday. a specialist at the end of the in- The tour will take place un- both formats as well as for the Finally coming into bat in the nings, always has been.” der “bio-secure” conditions to intra-squad warm-up matches. 14th over, the veteran wicket- But the statements cut lit- prevent the risk of spreading the Following 10 days in quaran- keeper-batsman scored just 10 tle ice with fans who criticised coronavirus, offi cials said. tine, Zimbabwe are scheduled to runs off his fi rst 13 balls while their cricketing hero with one England became the fi rst play the fi rst one-day interna- partner Faf du Plessis was on a Twitter user saying, “Next time country to hold international tional in Multan on October 30. hitting spree in his 72-run blitz Dhoni should warm-up before cricket matches during the pan- Games will be played in closed including seven sixes. the match and not during the demic, when they hosted the stadiums. The former India skipper, match”. West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland The other two ODIs will also who announced his interna- Dhoni though got some sup- and Australia between July and be in Multan on November 1 tional retirement last month, MS Dhoni bats against Rajasthan Royals at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. PICTURE: port from his fans who took September. and 3. The three Twenty20 in- only got going in the fi nal over Sportzpics for BCCI note of his three big sixes with Players underwent regular ternationals will be played in to hit three successive sixes but one hit going out of the Sharjah tests and were not allowed to Rawalpindi on November 7, 8 and by then the chase was beyond Faf was probably the lone no use to be honest. It was just exit of the 2019 World Cup, stadium. leave the bubble of the stadium 10. Chennai who lost by 16 runs. warrior,” former India opener all personal runs.” in Chennai’s win over hold- The 39-year-old Dhoni has and hotel. Pakistan has seen a gradual “This is not what you call lead- Gautam Gambhir told ESPN- Curran had smashed 18 off ers Mumbai Indians in the IPL come under fi re for batting The Pakistan Cricket Board decline in Covid-19 cases in re- ing from the front. Batting at No. cricinfo. six balls after being promot- opener last week. slowly in the slog overs during (PCB) said it has consulted with cent months and almost all gov- 7 when you’re chasing what...213 “Yes, you can talk about MS ed ahead of Dhoni, who last Dhoni, known for his fi nish- last year’s 50-overs showpiece England on virus safeguards and ernment lockdown measures (217)? The game was over. Dhoni’s last over, but it was of played in India’s semi-final ing skills during the peak of event. will be putting measures in place have been lifted. Gulf Times Thursday, September 24, 2020 7 SPORT

TENNIS FOCUS Back from adversity, Azarenka is on a roll Clay queen Halep rolled back the years at the US Reuters Paris Open, beating Serena Williams in the semis before losing to Naomi Osaka in the fi nal. ew players have been Last week on Rome’s clay- thrown as many curve courts she beat Australian Open balls in their career as champion Sofi a Kenin 6-0, 6-0 Fformer world number before losing to Garbine Mugu- fi rm favourite for one Victoria Azarenka but the ruza in the quarter-fi nals, only Belarussian fi ghter is back and her second loss in 16 matches. hunting Grand Slam titles again. She is back up to 14th in the When she reached the 2013 WTA rankings and will be seed- US Open fi nal it was her fourth ed at a Grand Slam for the fi rst Grand Slam fi nal appearance in time since the 2016 French Open the last eight she had contested, when she withdrew in the fi rst including winning back-to-back round because of a knee injury. French Open title Australian Opens, but it was to While the French Open clay- be her last for seven long years. courts have always proved a Due to concerns over travelling during the pandemic, she skipped the US Open, opting First a persistent foot injury in tough surface for the hardcourt- 2014, then a year-long maternity loving Azarenka, she did reach to stay in Europe and prepare for Roland Garros, where she won her first Slam in 2018 break in 2016-17 before a split the semi-fi nals in 2013 when she

with her partner and a custody lost to Maria Sharapova. battle over son Leo that was not Since then she has made the settled until 2018 put her career third round only once in four on the back burner. visits but believes her style Not only that but while Aza- has evolved to be a better all- renka was trying to rediscover rounder. “You have to be a little the old spark her mother was bit more adaptive on clay, move battling breast cancer. Many back and play longer rallies,” might have faded away, espe- Azarenka said in Rome. cially with a new generation of “With years I’ve developed a big hitters emerging, but Aza- better vision of the game. Some- renka is made of tough stuff . times, especially when you’re She missed this year’s Aus- young, if you’re winning, you tralian Open due to personal is- kind of want to stick to that and sues but since the resumption you’re scared to try things. of tennis after the shutdown “Maybe the results didn’t caused by the Covid-19 pan- show the last couple of years but demic she has clicked. I have always been eager to learn After winning the Western & to improve, to develop, and I Southern Open the 31-year-old think that’s really good.”

SPOTLIGHT Tired Paire unsure

Reuters that I am fresher,” Halep told report- Ostapenko unexpectedly came from Paris ers after her Rome win. behind against a strangely subdued of French Open “Of course I did work hard at home Halep to take her only Slam title to date. but I didn’t have many matches, so The Romanian is determined to put imona Halep is heavily fa- my body is not that used...And with no extra pressure on herself at this aft er two positive voured to add a second French these matches (I won) here I also feel year’s event, which she described as Open title to her Grand Slam confi dent. So it’s a better chance.” “just another tournament”. cabinet, brimming with con- An aggressive baseliner with excel- “I’ve played really well this year Covid-19 tests fiS dence on the back of a 14-match lent court coverage, Halep last lost in with three titles already. I’ve played winning streak and fi ghting fi t having the semi-fi nals of this year’s Australian so much on clay, so I feel confi dent...” skipped the US hardcourt season due Open to Spaniard Garbine Muguruza. she said. to COVID-19. Brightening her chances further, “I’ll just be happy to take positives The Romanian world number two the women’s singles fi eld in Paris will from this tournament and go there won in Dubai before the professional be missing defending champion and smiling...and try to win every match season was suspended in early March, world number one Ash Barty of Aus- I play. and added claycourt titles in Prague tralia, who opted against travelling, Every match is a battle, I am ready and Rome ahead of the Paris Grand and US for it.” Slam, which starts on Sunday hav- Open champion Naomi Osaka, who She says a lengthy lockdown, ing been rescheduled from May. Due suff ered a hamstring injury in New which she spent at home in Romania, to concerns over travelling during the York. has made her mentally stronger and pandemic, she skipped the US Open, The tag of bookies’ clear favourite she feels she is more mature since the opting to stay in Europe and prepare — emphatically endorsed for Paris by professional circuit restarted in Au- for Roland Garros, where she won her Czech world number four Karolina gust. fi rst Slam in 2018. Pliskova — has not always sat well For Pliskova, who lost to Halep in The former top-ranked player feels with Halep. the Rome fi nal, the Romanian will the decision leaves her better placed, Before tasting success at Roland certainly be the one to beat.”The way Romania’s Simona Halep (also above) celebrates both physically and mentally, to chal- Garros two years ago she had lost three she’s played... of course, she’s gonna AFP but “I am not sure if it’s the virus with the trophy after the Czech Republic’s Karolina lenge for her third Slam title overall. Grand Slam fi nals, including in 2017 at be the most favourite from the wom- Hamburg or just having to stay in the room Pliskova retired from the final in Rome. “It is diff erent (this year).It is true the same venue, when Latvian Jelena en’s tournament,” the Czech said. for ten days (at the US Open)”. “You practise for one hour, rance’s Benoit Paire, then go back to your room. BOTTOMLINE who was forced out of “Mentally, it’s diffi cult — hon- the US Open after test- estly if it stays like this, I just Fing positive for Cov- want to stop.” id-19, says his participation in Paire painted a bleak picture the French Open next week is of living under the uncertainty unclear after twice testing posi- of his next Covid-19 test. tive for coronavirus at the ATP “I was negative after the US Crisis-hit Qantas ends 30-year tournament in Hamburg. Open, negative in France, nega- The 31-year-old retired at tive in Rome, positive in Ham- 6-4, 2-0 down to Norway’s burg — that’s all I know,” he said. Casper Ruud in the fi rst round “You don’t sleep,” he admit- yesterday, later citing fatigue. ted, worrying about testing. I Wallabies sponsorship Paire revealed he had twice think it’s impossible to play ten- tested positive for Covid-19 in nis like this. AFP and its aftermath, the cash cost of our and British and Irish Lions tours in 2001 living in and the challenges we are all fac- Hamburg, but was allowed to “I try because I am happy to Sydney sponsorships has to be zero,” the airline’s and 2013. ing,” he said. play Wednesday after a negative be on court, but I was tired and chief customer offi cer Stephanie Tully “Qantas has had a very long associa- Rugby Australia was already strug- result the day before. I can’t move, so I had to stop,” he said in a statement. tion with Rugby Australia and the Wal- gling fi nancially, sacking 47 workers or a “The problem is that I am added to explain why he retired ustralian fl ag carrier Qantas The airline said it would off er “in- labies, and we’ve stuck with each other third of its staff in June and asking those tired,” a clearly frustrated Paire yesterday. announced it would no longer kind” support such as fl ights to Cricket during diffi cult times,” Tully said. remaining to take pay cuts. told reporters. Having been removed from fund sports sponsorships, Australia and Football Federation Aus- “Unfortunately, this pandemic has It is also without a broadcast partner “I had a positive Covid (test) the US Open draw at the end of Asevering a 30-year associa- tralia for the next 12 months, as well been the undoing. Like all Australians, after an ill-timed eff ort to squeeze for a at the US Open, (spent) ten days August, Paire’s health is again tion with the Wallabies and intensifying as supporting Australia’s Olympic and we’ll continue to cheer them on from the better deal coincided with the sporting in my room, then I had to go to under the spotlight days be- Rugby Australia’s budget crisis. Paralympic athletes at the 2021 Tokyo sidelines.” calendar being thrown into turmoil by (the ATP tournament in) Rome, fore the main draw starts at the Qantas said it could not justify pay- Games. Rugby Australia interim chief execu- the Covid-19 crisis. I played, but I didn’t practise at French Open. ing for sponsorships when the Covid-19 But it ended the relationship with tive Rob Clarke thanked Qantas for its The organisation posted a near Aus$10 all. “It depends on the results of pandemic meant it was cutting 2,500 Rugby Australia, which began in 1990 decades of support. mn ($6 mn) defi cit last year, exacerbated “Then I arrived here with (a) the (next) test, if it’s negative, I jobs and had posted an annual pre-tax and gradually expanded to see the air- “While it is obviously disappointing by a hefty payment to former Wallaby positive Covid-19 (result).” play, if it’s positive, I don’t play loss of Aus$2.7bn (US$1.9bn). line back the national team at fi ve Rugby to lose such a loyal partner, it is under- Israel Folau after his sacking over homo- The Frenchman said the only and I go home — both solutions “While we’re dealing with this crisis World Cups — two of which they won — standable given the world we are all now phobic social media posts. symptoms he has felt are fatigue, are good.”

Thursday, September 24, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

ATHLETICS Top quality fi eld in Doha to close Diamond League season Likes of World champs Obiri, Chepkoech, Kipruto, Kendricks to feature in deep line-ups across track and field at Qatar SC

t may have been a far-from- normal season, but the Wan- da Diamond League will end on a high in Doha tomorrow Iwith what is quite possibly the deepest line-up seen in any dis- cipline this year. A loaded 3000m fi eld will bring down the curtain in the Qatari capital, featuring a clash between world 5000m champion Hellen Obiri and world steeple- chase champion Beatrice Chepk- oech. In fact, fi ve medallists from four diff erent disciplines at last year’s World Championships will be back in action in Doha – and even then, that only scratches the surface of the quality of the fi eld. Obiri opened her outdoor campaign in Monaco last month, winning the 5000m in a world- leading 14:22.12, just four sec- onds shy of her Kenyan record. She has fond memories of Doha, too, as it is where she set a Ken- yan 3000m record of 8:20.68 in In this October 5, 2019, picture, Kenya’s Hellen Obiri celebrates her win in the women’s 5000m final at the Kenya’s Timothy Cheruiyot crosses the finish line to win the men’s 1500m final at the Doha 2019 World 2014, following it with victories 2019 World Athletics Championships at the Khalifa International Stadium. Championships on October 6, 2019. (AFP) over 3000m at Doha’s Diamond League meeting last year and Armand Duplantis will also her 2:29.15 run in Monaco and should also feature at the top end over 5000m at the World Cham- aim to end his year on a high – 2:29.92 win in Brussels. She fol- of the race. pionships at the same venue. quite literally – when he lines up lowed it with a dominant 3:59.05 Long jumpers Maryna Bekh- Chepkoech also opened her for his fi nal pole vault competi- run over 1500m, her specialist Romanchuk and Ese Brume will outdoor season in Monaco, tion of the year. distance, at the Continental Tour also square off again in what will clocking 14:55.01 for 5000m, and The 20-year-old from Sweden Gold meeting in Ostrava. be their fi rst outdoor clash since she followed it with a 9:10.07 run has enjoyed a dream season, set- Tomorrow’s race will be her last year’s World Champion- for second place in the steeple- ting world records of 6.17m and fi rst 800m outing in fi ve years, ships, where one centimetre sep- chase at the Continental Tour 6.18m indoors and maintaining but her two-lap splits from Mo- arated their podium places. meeting in Berlin earlier this a winning streak throughout the naco (1:59.7) and Brussels (1:59.2) Ukraine’s Bekh-Romanchuk, month. The steeplechase world whole of 2020. His latest vic- suggest she’s ready to run fast the world silver medallist, has record-holder is one of four tory was a 6.15m clearance – the and could even challenge her PB been extremely consistent this women in the fi eld with a PB in- highest outdoor vault in history of 1:58.02. year, fi nishing fi rst or second in side 8:30. – at the Wanda Diamond League Uganda’s Winnie Nanyondo, all of her competitions, indoors Other athletes in the fi eld who meeting in Rome last week. the fourth-place fi nisher at last and out. Brume, meanwhile, will stood on the podium in Doha last If he’s feeling good, he may year’s World Championships, and be making her 2020 outdoor de- year include 5000m silver medal- well decide to take an attempt at 2013 world champion Eunice Sum but; her last competition was in list Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi, a would-be world record height will also line up for the 800m. Lievin in February, where she set 10,000m bronze medallist and of 6.19m, though Duplantis him- an indoor PB of 6.82m. 2015 world cross-country cham- self would be quick to point out THOMPSON-HERAH LOOKS Sweden’s Khaddi Sagnia, who pion Agnes Tirop, and 1500m that records are by no means a TO LEVEL THE SCORE WITH recently set an outdoor PB of bronze medallist Gudaf Tsegay. certainty every time he sets foot TA LOU 6.92m in Zagreb, will also be a In fact, all 16 women in the fi eld on the runway. Double Olympic champion tough opponent. own a medal from a global or con- His main goal will be to keep his In this August 13, 2016, picture, Elaine Thompson (left) of Jamaica celebrates her victory in the women’s Elaine Thompson-Herah and Elsewhere, in-form French tinental championship, or hold winning streak intact, which in it- 100m final at the 2016 Olympic Games as Marie-Josee Ta Lou of Ivory Coast looks on at the Olympic Stadium multiple world medallist Marie- hurdler Wilhem Belocian will take a world or continental record. self will be no easy task as he takes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AFP/Getty Images) Josee Ta Lou will renew their ri- on USA’s Freddie Crittenden and The quality is such that they all on two-time world champion valry in what will be their fourth Aaron Mallet in the men’s 110m deserve a mention: 2015 world Sam Kendricks and 2012 Olympic Kenyan will be joined by his two an Oceanian 3000m record in Bol and Joseph Deng. clash in Doha. hurdles. Britain’s Cindy Ofi li and steeplechase champion Hyvin Ki- champion Renaud Lavillenie. fellow medallists from last year’s Rome, has the fastest season’s Cheruiyot has been undefeated Thompson-Herah won their USA’s Payton Chadwick appear yeng, world U18 champion Lem- World Championships, Ethiopia’s best of the fi eld (3:31.48) and will since May 2019, but this will be fi rst Doha duel back in 2017, win- closely matched in the women’s lem Hailu, world U20 champion MOUTH-WATERING MIDDLE- Lamecha Girma and Morocco’s be a formidable opponent. his fi rst 800m race for more than ning the 200m in 22.19, but Ivo- sprint hurdles with just 0.01 sepa- Beatrice Chebet, African Games DISTANCE CLASHES Soufi ane El Bakkali, who have set The 1500m will be with- a year, whereas almost everyone rian Ta Lou gained revenge over rating their season’s bests. 10,000m champion Tsehay Ge- It’s not just the women’s 3000m PBs this year of 3:35.67 and 3:34.51 out world champion Timothy else in the fi eld has sharpened up 100m one year later, winning in Fresh from some strong per- mechu, African 1500m champion that will bring together some of respectively. Kipruto may have Cheruiyot, because he too is over two laps and arrive in Doha 10.85. Their third clash in the formances over 100m (10.04) Winny Chebet, African Games the world’s best across a range proven time and again that he is stepping down in distance. The with sub-1:45 season’s bests. Qatari capital came at last year’s and 150m (15.15), Ivory Coast’s 1500m champion Quailyne Jebi- of disciplines; the men’s 1500m the best over the barriers, but this Kenyan will contest the 800m, Olympic champion Faith World Championships, where Ta Arthur Cisse will step up to the wott Kiprop, European 5000m has attracted world and Olympic is a test to see who has the greatest where he’ll line up against world Kipyegon is another athlete who Lou fi nished third in the 100m, 200m, where he will face Olym- silver medallist Eilish McColgan, medallists from the steeplechase foot speed. bronze medallist Ferguson heads to Doha off the back of an one place ahead of the Jamaican. pic bronze medallist Christophe European 1500m bronze medal- and 5000m. Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega, the Cheruiyot Rotich, World Cham- unbeaten run, and she too will Following her world-leading Lemaitre. Kuwait’s Asian cham- list Laura Weightman, European World and Olympic steeple- world 5000m silver medallist, pionships fourth-place fi nisher move down in distance. The 10.85 in Rome – where Ta Lou pion Yousef Karam will start as indoor bronze medallist Melissa chase champion Conseslus Ki- will also step down in distance Bryce Hoppel, 2016 European 26-year-old Kenyan has notched placed third in 11.14 – Thomp- the fastest man this year in the Courtney-Bryant, and Oceania pruto will make his season debut in a bid to improve on his recent bronze medallist Elliot Giles, Pan up two victories over 1000m son-Herah will start as the 100m 400m, but USA’s Kahmari Mont- record-holders Genevieve Greg- in what will be his fi rst 1500m PB of 3:36.07. Australia’s Stew- American silver medallist Wesley this year, producing two of the favourite in Doha tomorrow. US gomery is also running into good son and Jessica Hull. race in fi ve years. The 25-year-old art McSweyn, fresh from setting Vazquez and Australian duo Peter fi ve fastest times in history with duo Aleia Hobbs and Kayla White form. (World Athletics)

FORMULA 1 Hamilton set to equal Schumi’s record 91 wins

Reuters Sochi, Russia Former Ferrari chief to replace Carey as F1 CEO: reports

AFP last time they did so. ewis Hamilton is one London, United Kingdom However, his term at Ferrari win away from matching ended early when he stood up Michael Schumacher’s to then team president Luca di all-time record 91 and ormer Ferrari team princi- Montezemolo who wanted the Lthe Mercedes Formula One driver pal Stefano Domenicali head of the engine section to be will be favourite to get the job Fis set to become the new sacked for incompetence. done in Russia on Sunday. CEO of Formula One after leav- He has subsequently filled a Some felt Schumacher’s tally ing the Italian team earlier than senior management role at might never be equalled when expected, media reports said Audi, before being appointed the seven-times world champion yesterday. chief executive of Lamborghini, celebrated his last win in China in The 55-year-old Italian is to which is also part of the VW 2006. replace Chase Carey, who has Audi Group. Hamilton, a winner since his been in charge since US group Carey can step aside having debut 2007 season and now Liberty Media took over the overseen a shortened season making his 260th start, stands sport in 2017, according to the played out with virtually no on the cusp of doing just that at BBC and Autosport. spectators due to the coronavi- a circuit that did not exist when While Formula One off icials communicated to the team rus pandemic. the Ferrari great was racing. would not confirm the appoint- bosses. He also will leave the CEO post The Briton has a better record ment of Domenicali, senior Domenicali took over at Ferrari with crucially all 10 teams agree- than anyone in Sochi, with four sources in F1 told the BBC it was from Jean Todt, now the FIA ing a new Concorde Agreement, wins since the fi rst race there a done deal. president, at the end of 2007 a new five-year commercial deal after the 2014 Winter Olympics, The news — which will also see and tasted immediate success from 2021 which guarantees and Mercedes have yet to be American Carey remain as chair- when Ferrari won the 2008 con- motorsport’s “sustainable” beaten at the circuit. man in some form — has been structors championship — the future. If they triumph again, it will In this August 16, 2020, picture, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton reacts after winning the Spanish Grand Prix also be a record for most succes- at Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona. (Reuters) sive wins by a team at the same also set to be the fi rst with a sig- series, will have a few people on 11th but later promoted to ninth grand prix. Valtteri Bottas, who won in Sochi their own way, however, even if said the Dutch 22-year-old. nifi cant spectator presence after edge. while Bottas crashed out and Red “It just doesn’t seem real,” in 2017 — the fi rst victory of his Ferrari — on pole last year with “It’s also not the easiest place the Covid-19 pandemic forced It all went terribly wrong last Bull’s Max Verstappen was the the six-times world champion Formula One career. Charles Leclerc — are struggling. to overtake, but let’s hope this the sport behind closed doors. time the fi lm makers followed winner. said after his 90th win at Italy’s The Finn needs something Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is weekend I won’t need to do too Organisers, who had aimed for Mercedes, at Hockenheim last “That made for a very enter- Mugello circuit on September 13. special since he is 55 points be- due a change of fortune after two much overtaking and that we can a 30,000 strong crowd, say the year where the German marque taining Netfl ix episode but we “I never thought that I would be hind Hamilton after nine of 17 successive retirements. get a good result.” race is sold out. was celebrating 125 years in mot- hope that this time we can have here, that’s for sure.” races with only one victory to his “It’s not going to be easy in So- Sochi is the fi rst ‘standalone’ The presence of a Netfl ix crew, orsport at a home grand prix. great content and a great race,” The man most likely to keep teammate’s six. chi and it has not been a favourite race of the season, after three following Mercedes for season Mercedes endured their worst said Mercedes team boss Toto Hamilton waiting is teammate Mercedes may not have it all for us with a lot of long straights,” successive triple headers, and three of their Drive to Survive race of the season, with Hamilton Wolff .