MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017 SPORTS

English stars tackle weak pound

LONDON: The Premier League’s star and above Arsenal’s improved offer said “Clubs often enter into contracts with are now using China to try and broker a permanent, to come close to matching, imports are demanding huge pay rises to be in the region of £200,000. international companies in foreign cur- better deal,” he added. let alone supplanting the Premier as clubs’ TV revenues rocket, Chinese “While fans tend to associate player rencies, such as sponsorship deals and China has shot into the world’s top League, at least with regards to revenue,” teams entice them with mega wages- costs with transfer fees, it’s important to service contracts,” he added. five buyers of international football tal- he said. Despite Manchester United’s rel- and the pound slumps ahead of Brexit. note that transfer fees only account for Since Britain last year voted to exit ent, a FIFA report said Friday, while ative failure on the pitch last season, the Some players have secured bumper around one-third of overall player costs,” the European Union, sterling has British media is frequently linking club has topped Deloitte’s Football increases before Tuesday’s transfer win- said Jake Cohen, a sports lawyer at Mills plunged by around 18 percent against Premier League players with potential Money League in terms of overall rev- dow deadline. Liverpool’s Brazilian play- & Reeve. the dollar and some 14 percent versus moves to the country. enue for the first time in more than a maker Philippe Coutinho has signed a “The majority of player costs go to the euro. “The weaker pound is rapidly decade. United-who were last on top in five-year contract worth between wages,” he said in an interview with AFP, chipping away at players’ already stag- POWER OF TV the 2003/04 campaign-earned record £150,000 ($189,000, 176,000 euros) and adding that some players from abroad gering wages and... agents are clearly Cohen meanwhile pointed out that total revenue of 689 million euros ($737 £200,000 per week. do in fact sign deals to be paid in curren- seeking to capitalise on this new oppor- the falling pound would do little to help million) — and dislodged Champions But Arsenal have yet to meet the cies other than the pound. tunity to draw more out of the clubs,” bridge a widening gap between TV League holders Real Madrid who have demands of Mesut Ozil and Alexis To help offset the impact of currency said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst incomes earned by England’s top 20 ruled the roost for 11 years. Sanchez. Reports suggest World Cup fluctuations, Premier League clubs have at Oanda trading group. clubs and the broadcasting revenues The Premier League’s clubs are cur- winner Ozil and Sanchez, twice winner sponsorship and other deals with for- “They will also be very aware of the made by Europe’s other top leagues, rently enjoying the proceeds of a £5.14- of the Copa America, each want around eign exchange trading groups that offer fact that (Premier League) clubs can including in Spain. billion UK television rights deal for three £250,000 per week as they also factor in them preferential rates. afford to meet the higher terms due to “The falling pound may aid in years up to 2019 — up a staggering 70 the cost of converting pounds into their “Any company engaging in multina- the new TV deals,” Erlam told AFP. principle, but it will take a lot more than percent on the previous agreement. native currencies. tional transactions should be consider- “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that a 10 or 15 percent improvement in the Including overseas rights, the present This is significantly higher than their ing forex options, and football clubs are some footballers who clearly came to value of the euro compared to the Premier League broadcasting deal is current weekly wages of about £135,000 particularly exposed,” said Cohen. England to chase the television money pound, and which may or may not be worth £8.3 billion. —AFP

Suarez saves Barca in Betis draw, Sevilla beaten

MADRID: Barcelona’s La Liga title chal- struck the post with Ter Stegen beaten at lenge suffered a huge blow as the Spanish his near post. champions were controversially held 1-1 at Real Betis despite Luis Suarez’s last minute Sevilla beaten equaliser yesterday. The German goalkeeper had a moment to A point is enough to move Barca above forget for the opening goal as he failed to Sevilla into second on goal difference after get a good connection on an attempted Sevilla also missed the chance to go top of punch under pressure from two Betis play- the table as they were reduced to 10 men ers and the ball fell kindly for Alegria to tap after just two minutes in a 3-1 defeat at home. Conceding appeared to wake Barca Espanyol. Real Madrid lead both by a point from their slumber and they were doubly and have two games in hand on their title denied by Hernandez seconds later as rivals, the first of which comes at home to Neymar went down inside the area and the Real Sociedad later yesterday. ball ricocheted towards the Betis goal off Aleix Alegria gave Betis the lead their Riza Durmisi. dominance deserved 15 minutes from time Replays showed the ball clearly went when he bundled home from close range over the line before Alissa Mandi cleared, after Marc-Andre ter Stegen flapped at a but La Liga’s refusal to implement goal line corner. However, Barca were rightly infuri- technology due to pricing fears cost Barca ated seconds later as the ball clearly dearly as no goal was given. crossed the Betis goalline, but no goal was Betis should have sealed the three given by referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez. points when Castro broke clear on goal Suarez did at least rescue a point in the eight minutes from time, but Ter Stegen dying seconds, though, as he slotted home redeemed himself with a fine save. Lionel Messi’s through ball for his 21st goal And that miss proved crucial as Messi OLD TRAFFORD: Manchester United’s Chris Smalling, second right, scores during the English FA Cup Fourth Round soccer match between of the season. finally found the space to slip a pass Manchester United and Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, yesterday. —AP “We have to help the referees,” Barca through the Betis defence and Suarez dis- boss Luis Enrique told BeIN Sports Spain. patched the ball into the far corner. “The technology can help them. I say that There was also refereeing controversy at for all situations not just ones that go for Espanyol as Sevilla’s shot at moving top Watford, Hull and Leeds suffer me, but against me too.” lasted barely two minutes when Nico Suarez was less understanding as he Pareja was very harshly sent-off on top of claimed the ball “was a metre over the line.” conceding a penalty for a trip on Pablo Cup upsets, Man Utd through Ultimately Enrique paid the price for again Piatti. Former Sevilla favourite Jose Antonio heavily rotating his side with Wednesday’s Reyes showed no mercy to his former club Copa del Rey semi-final, first leg at Atletico as he converted from the spot, although : Premier League clubs Watford and too strong. Captain Jamie Collins scored the made too many changes to the regular team. Madrid in mind. “The feeling I have is that Reyes did hold his hands up in apology at Hull City, and Championship side Leeds United only goal from a penalty after 53 minutes and His opposite number, Paul Doswell, said the we have won one point (not lost two),” he the travelling support. paid the penalty for fielding weakened teams Leeds finished with only 10 men when their own result and financial benefits from live television added. Enrique made six changes in all, The 10 men reacted brilliantly, though, when they were all knocked out of the FA Cup in captain, Liam Cooper, was sent off near the end. coverage were a “life-changer” for the 118-year- including three of the back four and Betis and were level when Stefan Jovetic contin- the fourth round yesterday-but holders Leeds manager Garry Monk admitted he had old club. — Reuters took advantage with a bright start. Ter ued his hot streak since joining on-loan Manchester United won comfortably. Stegen was forced into saves from Ruben from Inter Milan to sweep home Samir Like Liverpool, beaten at home by Castro and Dani Ceballos early on. Nasri’s pass after 19 minutes. Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, the However, Barca arguably had the best Reyes haunted Sevilla once more as his three beaten sides miscalculated in resting so Ayew brothers take chance of the first-half when Antonio Adan free-kick was headed home by Marc many players ahead of league games in mid- flew off his line to deny Neymar from Navarro in first-half stoppage time. And week and could have no complaints at going out Ghana into semi-finals another scintillating Messi pass. Gerard Moreno sealed the three points for of the competition. Yet United went through, winning 4-0 despite making nine changes at Ceballos saw a dipping long-range Espanyol as this time Navarro was the sup- OYEM: Brothers Jordan and Andre Ayew A suicidal back pass from Ghanaian effort come back off the bar before Castro plier for his headed finish. —AFP home to Wigan Athletic, who are in the bottom three of the Championship. scored for Ghana as they reached the Africa was intercepted by Mbokani, Watford lost 1-0 to League One (third tier) Cup of Nations semi-finals yesterday with a 2- who rounded goalkeeper Razak Brimah, but side Millwall and Hull, FA Cup finalists three 1 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo his scuffed, angled tap hit the post. years ago, were humbled 4-1 by Championship in Oyem. Jordan opened the scoring after 63 Midway through the half, Mbokani (second tier) side Fulham after missing two late minutes of a tight, bruising quarter-final in retained possession under pressure from penalties. Leeds, fourth in the Championship northern Gabon and Andre put Ghana ahead three Ghanaian Black Stars and passed back and giving greater priority to returning to the again from a 78th-minute penalty. for to blaze over. Premier League after a 13-year absence, lost 1-0 They are sons of Ghana football legend A superb pass over the defence from to Sutton United, who joined fellow fifth-tier Abedi ‘Pele’ Ayew, ranked among the greatest Mpoku gave Mbokani a half-chance on 37 National League club Lincoln City in the last 16. African footballers of all time. Between the minutes only for his hurried shot to fly well It is the first time two non-League clubs have Ayew goals, Paul-Jose Mpoku levelled for DR off target. As half-time approached, Brimah progressed that far since the competition was Congo on 68 minutes. got lucky twice as DR Congo continued to reorganised more than 90 years ago. At Old Ghana, seeking a first Cup of Nations title look the likelier side to break the deadlock. Trafford, Marouane Felliani broke Wigan’s since 1982, will play Cameroon next Thursday He dribbled across a Congolese attacker dogged resistance in the 43rd minute by head- in Franceville for a final place. It will be a sixth inside his box when a booted clearance ing in a cross from former German international consecutive semi-finals appearance for four- would have been more advisable, and gentler Bastian Schweinsteiger, making a rare appear- time champions Ghana, who were runners- on the nerves of Grant. ance. Anthony Martial, criticised by manager up in 2010 to Egypt and in 2015 to the Ivory The Spain-based goalkeeper then failed to Jose Mourinho last week, then set up goals for Coast. They overcame DR Congo without cap- grasp a Mbokani shot from outside the penal- Chris Smalling and Henrikh Mkhitaryan before tain and striker , who failed to ty area, but smothered the loose ball as a SEVILLE: Barcelona’s Messi, second right, and Betis’ Aissa Mandi, right, challenge for Schweinsteiger added United’s fourth. “The first recover from a thigh injury sustained in a Leopard darted toward it. Ghana, who did the ball during La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Betis at the Benito half was not very, very good but we managed to group loss to Egypt four days ago. not have a shot on target in the opening half, Villamarin stadium, in Seville, Spain yesterday. — AP be 1-0 in front,” Mourinho said. “The second half “We corrected some mistakes at half-time threatened as the second half progressed was much better and the job was done.” and were a totally different team in the sec- and it was no surprise when they took the ond half,” Ghana coach told lead. A misplaced Congolese pass was inter- SIX CHANGES SuperSport. “Both our goals were fantastic, as cepted by , who set up Higuain strikes for Juve, Millwall, who beat another understrength was the one scored by Congo, who were a to hold off one tackle and fire Premier League team, Bournemouth, in the pre- well organised team.” past . Roma stunned at Samp vious round, fully deserved the win earned for Although Ghana had more possession But the advantage for the Ghanaians did them with a goal by Steve Morison in the 85th during a goalless first half, it was DR Congo not last long as Mpoku took aim outside the minute. Watford’s manager Walter Mazzarri had who came closest to scoring in a stadium sur- box and his swerving drive flew past Brimah MILAN: Gonzalo Higuain scored his eighth and Roma also had a penalty appeal turned made seven changes, leaving experienced play- rounded by dense rainforest. into the right-hand corner. goal in the last six league games to inspire down as they threw themselves forward ers like captain Troy Deeney and Giant Hull City striker A rollercoaster game took another turn Serie A leaders Juventus to a 2-0 win at Bruno Peres had given Roma a fifth-minute Etienne Capoue and Tom Cleverley among the featured prominently for the Congolese when fouled Sassuolo yesterday while second-placed AS lead but his goal was cancelled out by substitutes. They also lost goalkeeper Costel Leopards, and one of his attempts was foiled and Andre Ayew sent Matampi the wrong Roma lost 3-2 at Sampdoria. Dennis Praet before halftime. Giovanni Pantilimon to injury just before halftime. by the woodwork. way with his penalty kick. —AFP Roma led twice before two goals in Simeone scored twice, the second a late Manager Neil Harris felt his mid-table League three minutes sent them to a defeat which penalty, as Genoa fought back from 2-0 One team fully deserved their victory over a side left them four points behind Juve, who also and 3-2 behind to draw 3-3 at Fiorentina. 40 places above them. “We could easily have have a game in hand. Josip Ilicic and Federico Chiesa had put been three or four up by halftime,” he said. “This Juventus, aiming for a sixth consecutive Fiorentina 2-0 ahead but Genoa hit back club and this team epitomise what the FA Cup is title, have 51 points from 21 games, with with two goals in three minutes just before all about.” At Craven Cottage on the bank of the Roma on 47 from 22. Napoli (44) were at the hour, from Simeone and Oscar River Thames, Hull, who had made six changes, home to Palermo in the late game. Hiljemark. Nikola Kalinic put Fiorentina fell behind to a goal by their former forward Higuain set Juventus on their way to a back in front almost immediately but the Sone Aluko after 16 minutes. comfortable win by getting ahead of his Violets blew it when Federico Bernardeschi Evandro headed an equaliser four minutes marker to head in Alex Sandro’s cross after handled on the line, was sent off and into the second half, but Chris Martin, on loan nine minutes, taking his tally for the season Simeone converted the penalty. Diego from Derby County, soon restored the lead. to fifteen. The Argentine set up Juve’s sec- Falcinelli’s hat-trick gave struggling Crotone Promising youngster Ryan Sessegnon added ond when he dispossessed Paolo a glimmer of hope with a 4-1 win over a third goal and with 12 minutes left Stefan Cannavaro and provided a low cross which Empoli. Crotone remain mired in the relega- Johansen scored a fourth. Hull’s Abel Hernandez was turned in by Sami Khedira after 25 tion zone but their win cut the gap between then had two penalties saved by goalkeeper minutes. Edin Dzeko’s 66th minute goal themselves and Empoli, the team immedi- Marcus Bettinelli in the space of a minute to appeared to put Roma on course for a win ately above the bottom three, to eight round off a bad day. as they led 2-1 at Sampdoria but Patrik points. Rodrigo de Paul gave Udinese a con- “We have to do many, many things before the Schick levelled five minutes later with his troversial 2-1 win over AC Milan, scoring the closes on Tuesday,” their man- first touch of the game, having come on as winner after having escaped a red card for a ager Marco Silva said. Former European Cup a substitute little more than a minute earli- dangerous challenge on Mattia De Sciglio finalists Leeds, out of the top flight of English OYEM: Ghana’s goalkeeper Brimah Razak (C) saves a shot on goal during the 2017 Africa er. There was more drama two minutes lat- moments earlier. De Sciglio was still receiv- football since 2004, fielded almost a complete Cup of Nations quarter-final football match between DR Congo and Ghana in Oyem yes- er when Luis Muriel scored the winner with ing treatment when De Paul burst down the reserve team on the artificial pitch at Sutton and terday. — AFP a deflected free kick. Francesco Totti’s free right and beat Gianluigu Donnarumma with found the non-Leaguers, 84 places below them, kick was turned away by Christian Puggioni an angled drive. — Reuters