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Home , Ezequiel Lavezzi, Facundo Roncaglia, Francis Coquelin, Javier Pastore, Marcos Rojo, Milton Casco

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015 SPORTS Chung slams Blatter, Platini to launch FIFA campaign

PARIS: South Korean billionaire Chung Mong-Joon organisation is because the same person (Blatter) vice president from Jordan, is considering a run. “If Europe had provided healthy and discerning yesterday launched his campaign for the FIFA presi- has been running it for 40 years. Absolute power Platini is considered the frontrunner and has leadership, would FIFA be in this kind of mess today? dency with a blistering attack on outgoing leader corrupts absolutely.” FIFA has been embroiled in cor- already secured public support from key national This is not a criticism but an appeal to you to think. Sepp Blatter and his rival to head football’s world ruption turmoil since 14 FIFA and sports business federations and regional confederations. “The core issue of this election is whether the 40- governing body, Michel Platini. executives were charged by US authorities in May But Chung said the Frenchman should not be a year-old system of corruption should continue or not.” Chung, who said that Platini is too close to over more than $150 million in bribes allegedly paid candidate because he was so close to the FIFA sys- The FIFA election campaign is already turning into a Blatter’s legacy and the ills that have hit FIFA, vowed for television and marketing deals. Seven FIFA offi- tem and a former close ally of Blatter, who has said bitter affair with allegations of behind-the-scenes dirty to clean up the scandal-tainted body in one four- cials have been detained but Blatter has not been he will stand down when the election is held on tricks. Blatter alleged in a Dutch newspaper interview year term and then stand down. The election cam- linked to any corruption case. February 26. “This is not a good situation for Michel that Platini warned him he faced prison if he did not paign, however, is becoming increasingly bitter. Chung, a member of the family that owns the and I think it is good for Michel Platini not to be a withdraw from the election for the head of the world “Today FIFA is undergoing a profound crisis. Hyundai conglomerate, vowed that if successful in candidate this time. He is still very young. body in May. Blatter won the vote but announced four Under these circumstances, the FIFA president must the election on February 26, 2016, he would serve “His problem is that he does not seem to appreci- days later that he would stand down. be a crisis manager and a reformer,” the 63-year-old just one term. “I can change FIFA in four years. That is ate the seriousness of the corruption crisis at FIFA.” Blatter told De Volkskrant that the warning was Chung, a former FIFA vice president, told a Paris my pledge to football fans in the world.” Chung said that Blatter and Platini once had a made to his brother. But German newspaper Die press conference. “The problem at FIFA is that those UEFA president Michel Platini, Brazil football leg- “father and son” relationship even though the Welt said on Sunday that Blatter was behind the dis- mired in corruption, the only thing they are interest- end Zico and Liberian Football Association chief Frenchman has turned against the FIFA leader. tribution of an article by a Swiss journalist which ed in is hiding the corruption,,” he added. Musa Bility have also announced they are candi- The South Korean football official said it was time lambasted Platini. UEFA has written to FIFA calling “The real reason FIFA has become such a corrupt dates. Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, another former FIFA for the FIFA presidency to move away from Europe. for an investigation into the article. — AFP Van Gaal braced for playoff pressure game

MANCHESTER: Manchester United (Rooney) in the striker’s position,” manager admits Van Gaal said. “So it is very amazing today’s Champions League play-off that after two matches you are against Club Brugge will be the doubting your own opinion so I can- most pressurised games of his not understand that. But I have tenure so far. always confidence in my players. The Red Devils host the Belgian “We don’t just have only Wayne Pro League side in the first leg at Old Rooney in the striker’s position. We Trafford today seeking a return to have Adnan Januzaj who played in European football’s elite competi- the USA pre-season in the striker’s tion after a one-season hiatus. position. Given the extra revenue that par- “I have given him that chance ticipation will generate United’s and he has shown he can do that. hierarchy made a place in the group We have Javier Hernandez and stage a key target for van Gaal, while James Wilson, so I don’t think we expectation among the club’s sup- have a lack of strikers.” porters remains high. Van Gaal restored Januzaj to the And when asked if the tie will starting line-up against Villa last represent the most significant Friday, but responded to claims that matches he has faced since he he underused the Belgium interna- replaced David Moyes as manager tional last season following the 20- the Dutchman agreed. year-old’s impressive breakthrough Van Gaal said: “Of course. under Moyes. Because the players want to partici- “Adnan has eight starts last sea- pate, and the board wants to partici- son and 13 substitutions so he pate, but especially the fans want to didn’t have any chances? This is not participate so the pressure is high. true, in my opinion,” explained the “There is a lot of pressure because 64-year-old. “He has to compete our aim and goal is to reach the with 23 or 24 other players. The Champions League. “This kind of characteristics of a young player is matches are difficult and because of he is not consistent. He has to show the draw I think it is much more dif- that. “Maybe he can show it this sea- ficult because we have drawn son. It is possible. In a club like Brugge and Brugge can defend very Manchester United never you have a well, and they can attack also. guarantee of a position in the top “It will be a difficult match and 11.” Januzaj has been linked with that is why the pressure is high. season-long loan moves to Everyone wants to participate in the Sunderland and Everton, but insists Champions League but first you he is happy at and has a have to beat Club Brugge.” good relationship with Van Gaal. Speaking at a pre-match press “I am happy at Manchester United conference ahead of the first leg, and I am happy the way the manager Van Gaal also addressed questions worked with me so I don’t have any regarding the subdued start to the Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal issues with that,” added the winger. SPAIN: Real Madrid’s defender and captain Sergio Ramos speaks during a press con- season made by United captain “The manager spoke to me a few ference announcing his contract renewal in Madrid. — AFP Hotspur and Aston Villa, but strug- three shots on target in both fix- Wayne Rooney. The England inter- gled to make an impact. tures, but Van Gaal’s faith in the 29- times and I can feel I am developing national has been deployed in a Rooney touched the ball once in year-old has not wavered. “I think all myself. I have not had a lot of games Man United riches not lone striker role in United’s Premier the penalty area, in injury time, the media has written for one year but this season maybe I get a few enough to sway Ramos League matches against Tottenham against Villa and has managed just and advised me I have to put him more opportunities to play.” — AFP

MADRID: Real Madrid captain Sergio And Perez insisted Los Blancos needed Ramos insisted he wasn’t motivated by Ramos more than ever in the post-Casillas Palace win can be title money after ending speculation surround- era. “Sergio Ramos has won everything, but ing his future by signing a new five-year just like Real Madrid he wants more, there- deal with the club yesterday. fore we need him to maintain that desire,” turning point for Wenger Ramos had been courted by Manchester he said. United during a standoff in negotiations Despite holding an unwanted record as between his representatives and Madrid the Madrid player to have seen most red LONDON: Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal’s campaign, after an extended break following president Florentino Perez over the Spanish cards in the history of the club with a stag- gritty 2-1 win against Crystal Palace will Copa America duty, brought an extra menace international’s salary with his previous deal gering 19 dismissals, Ramos is a hero prove a significant moment in the Premier to the Gunners’ attacks. set to expire in 2017. According to Spanish amongst the Real support and is most League title race. Wenger admitted Sanchez was still short media reports, Ramos will earn up to 10 fondly remembered for scoring the goal Wenger’s side could ill-afford another set- of full fitness, but he was delighted with the million euros ($11.1 million, £7.1 million) a that saved Los Blancos from losing the season. “The circumstances of the renewal 2014 Champions League final to local rivals back after their embarrassing opening day Chilean’s commitment, epitomised by his have made it drawn out but my head and Atletico Madrid. meltdown against West Ham and they rose to leaping header that led to Damien Delaney’s heart have always been here,” said Ramos. His stoppage time header forced the the challenge at Selhurst Park on Sunday. own goal. “It is clear and I can’t deny it that there game into extra-time where the white half Still haunted by last season’s spluttering “He brings drive, he brings pressure on the were certain things I was uncomfortable of Madrid went onto dominate and run out start, which he regards as the root cause of opponent, he brings chances,” Wenger said. with. I never said that I wanted to leave 4-1 winners to complete his own personal their failed title bid, Wenger was desperate to “When it was 1-1 it is no coincidence that he Madrid but I couldn’t continue like that. repertoire of honours, which also includes avoid being cast adrift of early pace-setters found the header for the goal over Joel Ward. “You can see the economic part is the three titles and two Copa del Reys Manchester City because he feared the dam- He is a fighter. It was more desire than fitness last thing I mention, but there were things as well as the World Cup and two European age to his players’ morale would be fatal. at this stage. we needed to talk about. My happiness is Championships at international level with Although they were still someway short of “He has had only two weeks’ training but here, so why would I waste time some- Spain. By committing to stay at the their best, the Gunners did enough to sub- he still had the mental resources to score a where else. Bernabeu, Ramos has offered a huge lift to due a dangerous Palace outfit with a com- vital goal for us. “If it was an economic issue I wouldn’t a Real side in need of a confidence boost posed performance, prompting Wenger to “It’s not a 100 per cent fit Sanchez but it’s a have stayed. I could have made more mon- ahead of the kick-off to the La Liga cam- hail the result as a huge moment in his club’s 100 per cent motivated Sanchez and some- ey in another place, but there were other paign next weekend. season even at this early stage. times that’s enough.” Wenger also reserved circumstances that I had to fix.” Ramos was among a host of high-profile “We have shown a strong response. We special praise for Mesut Ozil, whose clever United had hoped to lure Ramos to first-team players also including Cristiano have shown aspects of our game that are passing was allied to the kind of unstinting England with the backing of a £750 million Ronaldo and James Rodriguez who showed important in the ,” Wenger work rate he is sometimes criticised for lack- ($1.3 billion) kit deal with Adidas and a their discontent at the sacking of Carlo said. “When Palace came back to 1-1 we were ing. “Ozil had a very good performance, it is a record new Premier League television Ancelotti in May. tested after what happened last weekend. It pleasure to watch his passing and his intelli- rights deal to start in 2016. The appointment of Rafael Benitez as Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger The two clubs have been locked in Ancelotti’s successor was met with scepti- was important to see how we responded gence,” Wenger said. “The rest of his game transfer talks all summer with Real still cism by the vast majority of the club’s fans because this is a difficult place to come. I’m was absolutely magnificent as well. He works while already on a booking. hopeful of landing Ramos’s international and Perez has unusually decided against sure they will beat many strong teams. harder than people think he does. “He is not “The foul before half-time is debatable but teammate David de Gea before the transfer the lavish signing of a “galactico” this sum- “It was a bit scary when we missed those spectacular in his defending but he wants to then he makes another foul after half-time window closes at the end of the month. mer, instead settling for a deeper and chances. We are used to being punished after help the team. What I want from him is a few and he should have gone. There was an Ramos is now Madrid’s longest serving younger squad. that which makes the three points more more goals this season.” immediate reaction because they took him player having signed from Sevilla 10 years However, without the injured Ronaldo, important. “To get the points is already a bit While Wenger was relieved to get back on off,” Pardew said. “Arsenal were sharp and ago as a 19-year-old and will be club cap- Benitez’s men have struggled in pre-sea- of turning point because to lose would have track, Palace manager Alan Pardew was left bright. They were a lot more intelligent in tain for the first time this season after Iker son, failing to score in four of their seven been a big blow mentally.” to rue what might have been if referee Lee their passing than against West Ham, but we Casillas’s 18-year career at the Bernabeu friendlies so far. Madrid begin their league One of the key figures in Arsenal’s strong Mason had sent off , the had better shape as the match went on and it came to an end when he joined Porto last campaign away to newly promoted finish to last season was Alexis Sanchez and Arsenal who went unpunished might have been a different result if we’d got month. Sporting Gijon on August 23. —AFP the Chile winger’s belated first start of the despite making several crunching challenges the second goal.” — AFP Messi, Tevez join for friendlies

BUENOS AIRES: Barcelona star , who recently left Italian champions Juventus to with River Plate. Argentina play both games in Defenders: (Manchester Biglia (Lazio/ITA), (Paris Saint- who suffered more disappointment with play at home for , has also been the , against Bolivia on September City/ENG), (Genoa/ITA), Germain/FRA), (Tottenham Argentina in the Copa America last month, has named in the 24-man squad along with three 4 in and against Mexico four days later (Zenit St Petersburg/RUS), Hotspur/ENG), (Juventus/ITA), been called up by national coach Gerardo players from French champions Paris Saint- in Dallas, before opening their 2018 World Cup Nicolas Otamendi (Valencia/ESP), (Boca Juniors), Angel Di Maria Martino for friendlies against Bolivia and Mexico Germain-Angel Di Maria, Javier Pastore and qualifying campaign against Ecuador on (Newell’s Old Boys), (Manchester (Paris SG/FRA) in September. . October 5 in . United/ENG), (River Plate), Strikers: Lionel Messi (Barcelona/ESP), Sergio Argentina lost the Copa America final to Defender Ramiro Funes Mori, the only player Goalkeepers: (Manchester Martin Demichelis (Manchester City/ENG) Ag¸ero (Manchester City/ENG), (Boca Chile on penalties a year after falling in the who did not feature in the Copa America, joins United/ENG), Nahuel Guzman (Tigres/MEX), : Juniors), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli/ITA), Ezequiel World Cup final to Germany. Striker Carlos Tevez, the squad having won the Agustin Marchesin (Santos Laguna/MEX) (Barcelona/ESP), Ever Banega (Sevilla/ESP), Lucas Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA). —AFP