TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014 SPORTS

Greener grass: A World Cup legacy for ?

SAO PAULO: At Arsenal’s Highbury and say, ‘Come on, let’s invest a little bit age, less than 1 percent of the total including Wembley, the Emirates this part, for that part,” Gremio opera- Stadium, Edu played on one of football’s more in the pitch,’” he said. “We have fan- investment needed for building or reno- Stadium that Arsenal moved to in 2006 tions director Romulo Siqueira said, finest pitches. Award-winning Arsenal tastic players here in Brazil but we need vating a football arena. However, the and other famed venues. It injects plastic pointing at the stadium ends. groundsman Paul Burgess became so fantastic pitches as well.” impact is huge, as the pitch is the most fibers into natural grass pitches to rein- At least Gremio has a pitch. The World well-known for his green fingers that he Sub-standard pitches aren’t new to important thing for the players.” force them. Three Brazilian clubs have Cup arena in Curitiba was more alarm- was eventually lured away by Real Brazil. Although the warm climate is Brazilians say having to adapt to adopted the system - Gremio, Santos ing: not a blade of grass to be seen, Madrid. plant friendly, pitches have suffered irregular playing surfaces is one reason and Corinthians, at its new Sao Paulo earth and gravel piled high, six months So when Edu returned home to Brazil from over-use and insufficient love and they’re often such wizards with a ball. arena hosting the World Cup opener before four matches will be played there in 2009 to finish his career, the worn and attention. Record World Cup goal-scorer “That is why the Brazilian player is like an and five other matches. in June. sorry state of some Brazilian football Ronaldo told the AP that his first club, artist,” Rubens Minelli, a national champi- “Brazilian pitches, as they are right De Cocker expressed concern that fields was an eye-opener. Even now, as Sao Cristovao in Rio de Janeiro, used onship-winning former coach, said in an now in the stadiums, are not really to be World Cup pitches might not fare well the World Cup host rushes to ready itself, goats to trim its grass. interview. He recalled being amazed by compared with, let’s say, the average lev- under the stress of multiple games in one Edu says pitches in Brazil aren’t on a par “The pitch wasn’t the best, as you can Newcastle’s pitch - “Very fast,” he noted - el or the general level that is accepted in month. At the smaller Confederations with those in Europe, where he played imagine, although the goats worked when he took Internacional to play there Europe,” De Cocker said in a telephone Cup tune-up competition last June, for eight years, at Arsenal and Valencia. really hard,” the 2002 World Cup winner in the 1970s. interview. He said Brazilian officials “seri- “almost every pitch gave serious prob- “England, Germany, fantastic (pitch- said by email. “The club didn’t have Juninho was likewise impressed ously underestimated” the difficulty of lems,” he said. es). Spain, they’re good as well,” the for- much money so the goats were the when he moved to Middlesbrough in maintaining pitches in modern stadiums “I don’t believe that climate has a lot mer midfielder told The Associated cheapest ‘groundsmen’ you could find.” 1995. with overhanging roofs that cast long to do with them struggling to produce Press. “If you see around the world, they The three-time world player of the “Unbelievable,” he said in an inter- shadows, creating “very bad growing good pitches,” he said. “It is a learning are at another level than Brazil.” year said he and 1994 World Cup winner view. In Brazil, “you couldn’t find real nice conditions.” For its new arena in the curve. The only problem is that every- Now retraining in football manage- Bebeto, both members of Brazil’s com- pitches, not as good as England.” “I southern city of Porto Alegre, which will body, I think, I guess, would expect ment and working at Corinthians, Edu mittee organizing the tournament, “have played in Wembley twice and the grass be a World Cup training venue, Gremio (Brazil) to be already further down that says he bends the ears of all and sundry talked a lot to the stadium owners about was fantastic,” he added. imported giant lighting rigs on wheels learning curve than they are now.” in Brazil about the need for better play- the importance of offering high-stan- Yves De Cocker, director of pitch- from the Netherlands to breathe life into Ronaldo agreed that “most of our ing surfaces. He hopes the World Cup dard pitches.” installation company Desso GrassMaster, its pitch that was pock-marked with bare pitches cannot be compared to the will drive home his message. “We want it to be one of the football says Brazil has been sluggish in adopting patches when the AP visited in European ones yet.” “But this is changing “I’ve always been trying to talk to legacies of the FIFA World Cup,” Ronaldo the latest techniques. Desso has worked December. and I am confident we’ll get there,” he everybody, to officials and to the press, said. “The pitch-cost represents, on aver- on dozens of pitches around the world, “Half of the year we have no sun for said. —AP

Preview Champagne launches his bid for FIFA presidency

LONDON: Former FIFA deputy general secre- democratisation of FIFA” by reinforcing the role tance to be made available to match officials. tary Jerome Champagne yesterday launched of national associations within the organisa- His other ideas include an ‘orange card’ that his bid to succeed as president of tion’s executive committee and working more allows referees to send players to a temporary the organisation that runs the global game. closely with leagues and clubs. sin bin, quotas on foreign players, and televised The 55-year-old Frenchman, who worked He also gave his support for an ongoing debates between FIFA presidential candidates. closely with Blatter between 2002 and 2005, investigation into the process that saw the A former diplomat, Champagne worked on announced his campaign to become football’s right to host the 2022 World Cup awarded to ’s successful bid for the right to host the most powerful man at a press conference in Qatar, amid ongoing uncertainty regarding 1998 World Cup before joining FIFA as an inter- central London. when during the year the tournament will take national advisor. Champagne said he was eager to restore FIFA’s reputation after accusations of corruption in recent years, acknowledging that the organi- sation had “an image deficit problem”. Addressing reporters in front of the slogan ‘Hope for football,’ he said: “We need a different FIFA: more democratic, more respected, which Edin Dzeko behaves better and which does more.” Blatter, 77, is approaching the end of his fourth term in office and is yet to announce Dzeko puts prizes whether or not he will stand again in next year’s election in . Current UEFA president said ahead of plaudits late last year that he will announce whether or not he will stand for the post either during or LONDON: Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko The key is just to try to win every next after the World Cup in Brazil, which starts on insists his side’s remarkable goal-spree will game. “I am very happy that I am the one who June 12. count for nothing if they finish the season with- scored the 100th goal. “I am enjoying it at the In a video message, Brazil legend Pele out any silverware. moment. The team is playing amazing football. announced his support for Champagne’s candi- Dzeko scored City’s landmark 100th goal of “We are scoring a lot of goals. We just have dacy. “I know his vision of football and the the season as Manuel Pellegrini’s team took to keep going like this.” City’s blistering first leg future of the game and for this reason, I trust their tally for the current campaign to an display means Pellegrini can rest several of his him,” said the three-time World Cup-winner. incredible 103 with a 4-2 win over Cardiff at key players if he wishes. Champagne, however, would not confirm Eastlands on Saturday. The result kept second But, given City’s impressive strength in whether or not he will stand against Blatter if placed City within a point of leaders Arsenal at depth, the Chilean is certain to be able to send the Swiss decides to seek a fifth term. “I cannot LONDON: Jerome Champagne announces his intention to stand for FIFA president in the top of the Premier League, one of four com- out a strong line-up regardless of who he answer a hypothetical question, but I’m here 2015. But Champagne hinted that he might abandon his challenge if Sepp Blatter because I believe in what I’m saying and I plan petitions they remain in contention to win this leaves out. stands for a fifth term. —AP season. In contrast to City’s buoyant mood, Sam to do what I’m saying,” he said. With their title challenge firmly on course, Allardyce’s Hammers head into the second leg Asked if he thought that he could beat City can turn their attention to the formality of at a low ebb after Saturday’s 3-1 loss against Blatter, Champagne said: “I don’t think so. He’s place. “The World Cup is the largest, most fol- He helped to organise Blatter’s victorious booking a place in the League Cup final against Newcastle put them back in the relegation someone of relevance.” He identified “three lowed sport event in the world. We need to go to election campaign in 2002 and later worked as Manchester United or Sunderland. zone. major challenges” facing football in the 21st a World Cup with total tranquility and serenity,” FIFA’s director of international relations before After thrashing struggling West Ham 6-0 in With the pressure mounting on Allardyce, century: The “increasing imbalance” between he said. leaving the organisation in 2010. the semi-final first leg, today’s return at Upton the West Ham boss has been working all hours continents and countries and within leagues; “If something (improper) has happened, we He has since worked as an independent Park is another opportunity for City to show- in a bid to bring in new signings, but he has so the growing influence of private interests; and need to know and if nothing has happened, we football consultant, helping Kosovo to gain case their attacking talents to an increasingly far been unsuccessful and on Sunday he ruled a “loss of prestige” in the wake of recent contro- need to know as well.” Champagne, who recognition from FIFA and working on a poten- captivated football world. out a move for Arsenal defender Thomas versies. revealed that he is funding his campaign him- tial rapprochement between Israel and But Bosnia star Dzeko says seeing out the Vermaelen. He said that he intended to “strengthen the self, also called for more technological assis- Palestine. —AFP tie in business-like fashion is more important “I think under the circumstances at Arsenal, because City are focused on winning prizes in the position that they’re in, in the Champions rather than earning plaudits. League and cup matches, they’ve had to use “It is definitely a great achievement but we him as soon as any of the two defenders have Preview want to win something. That will be much bet- been injured,” he said. “So I don’t think there’s ter than these 100 goals,” Dzeko said. any chance we’ll get somebody of his quality. It “We still have a lot of games to play and we would be nice if we could. will score a lot more goals but we want to win “I’ve had targets and I haven’t got one yet something as well. “We are still in all four com- apart from Roger Johnson, so I’ll keep going Messi courting Lady Luck petitions and we will see what will happen. and hope we get some.” —AFP before Levante Cup clash

Crisis or blip? Moyes calm MADRID: Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is hoping for a little good fortune when the as Man United falters record winners return to Valencia for tomor- row’s King’s Cup quarter-final, first leg against LONDON: Trying to explain yet another setback, debt that was last recorded at 361 million pounds Levante. a despondent but determined David Moyes (around $593 million). It’s too early to say whether Even with the four-times World Player of the wouldn’t take the bait. Manchester United’s 3-1 United’s slump is a blip or if the Old Trafford Year back in the starting line-up after injury, loss at Chelsea on Sunday - the team’s seventh empire is crumbling, just as Liverpool went into Barca struggled against an ultra-defensive of the Premier League season - left the defend- decline after dominating in the 1970s or 1980s. Levante in Sunday’s 1-1 La Liga draw and they ing champions 14 points behind leader Arsenal. Off the field, United remains a commercial jug- had to come from a goal down to rescue a “Some people might call it a crisis,” one gernaut, projecting that it will rake in about 420 point. reporter said to Moyes after the match at million pounds ($690 million) in 2013-14. Messi had one clear chance well saved by Stamford Bridge. Such forecasts, however, are based on United goalkeeper Keylor Navas shortly after halftime “Who?” the United manager snapped back. finishing at least third in the league, and reach- but otherwise made little impact against the “Me,” the reporter responded. “It’s not the ing the quarterfinals of the Champions League massed ranks of the home defence and the performance that’s expected,” and the domestic cups. Argentine is expecting a similar pattern to Moyes answered. “That’s correct.” The FA Cup has already been Wednesday’s clash. The reporter tried again: “Is it a cri- crossed off the list after a third “We did everything possible to try to win sis?” Moyes: “No. That’s your word, round exit. Now, for once, the sec- but they play very deep and don’t allow you not my word.” ond-tier League Cup has taken on space,” he told reporters. “It’s a very tricky stadi- Just like predecessor Alex a greater significance. United must um to play at, but we tried our best,” added the Ferguson, Moyes wasn’t biting. But wipe out a 2-1 deficit against 26-year-old, who was out for two months after Lionel Messi the league standings look trou- Sunderland at Old Trafford on straining a thigh muscle in November. eight. They play at Sociedad’s Anoeta stadium the gruelling calendar and said the team need- bling enough - by United’s stan- Wednesday to reach the League “We played well enough to win but we were in San Sebastian tomorrow. ed to find ways of better dealing with defence- dards - without Moyes adding to Cup final. But Manchester City, a lacking a bit of good fortune. I expect Levante On the other side of the draw, holders minded opponents. the sense of uncertainty with pes- team which is second in the will use the same tactics in the Cup match.” Atletico Madrid host Athletic Bilbao on “It makes it harder for us to generate goal- simistic sound bites. Especially David Moyes league, is likely to be the other If Barca, who have won Spain’s domestic Thursday and Real Madrid, who lost 2-1 to scoring opportunities and that’s where we have when the current United manager finalist given its 6-0 lead over West Cup a record 26 times, make it through to the Atletico in last year’s final, play at Espanyol to improve,” the Argentine told a news confer- could point out that he inherited a squad in Ham heading into Tuesday’s second leg. last four after next week’s second leg at the today. ence. “When we draw, and thank goodness we need of strengthening, particularly in midfield. Collecting the League Cup, however com- Nou Camp, they will play La Liga rivals Real Real look to be coming into form as the sec- didn’t lose, that doesn’t mean that the team is Especially not when Wall Street investors will forting for Moyes as a first piece of significant Sociedad or third-tier Racing Santander for a ond half of the season gets underway and their tired,” he added. be watching closely at a business whose share silverware, is not central to the club’s revenue place in April’s final. 5-0 drubbing of bottom side Real Betis in La “We did not find a way to get through and price has slumped from a high of $19.34 after stream. The Champions League is, having Santander, who are mired in financial diffi- Liga on Saturday lifted them to within a point that is to do with creativity in our play not Ferguson delivered the 20th English title to made almost $50 million from last season’s culties and were relegated twice in the last two of joint leaders Barca and Atletico. fatigue. “We need to take care of the details $15.20 at Friday’s close. A further fall in fortunes run to the round of 16. There are two ways to seasons, are the surprise packages of this year’s After Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Sevilla, better because in the second half of the season could wipe hundreds of millions of dollars off the remain among Europe’s elite: win the compe- competition and stunned top-flight sides Atletico coach Diego Simeone dismissed a sug- teams don’t try to play good football but are value of the club, which is controlled by the tition of finish in the Premier League’s top Sevilla and Almeria on their run to the last gestion his players were feeling jaded due to focused on accumulating points.” —Reuters Glazer family, and hamper attempts to cut the four. —AP