QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Qatar’s QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Younousse and Tijan shock reigning world champions TUESday, APRIL 20, 2021 at Cancun page 15 Battle lines drawn: Super League slammed as UEFA expands its Champions League DPA Berlin Bayern, Dortmund, PSG, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has threatened to ban Porto, Ajax – famous clubs players from international competition after plans for a breakaway Super League not in Super League competing with the Cham- DPA ted to the Bundesliga and pions League sparked a furi- Berlin UEFA events. ous row in European football, But Rummenigge is to Ceferin, chief of the Euro- Champions League ti- leave at the end of the year pean football ruling body, re- tle holders Bayern Munich and wealthy six-time Eu- acted angrily on Monday to and Borussia Dortmund are ropean champions Bayern Super League plans unveiled along with Paris Saint-Ger- would be a natural choice to by a dozen top teams just main the most notable ab- join the 12 founding mem- hours before a UEFA meet- sentees among Super League bers from England, Italy and ing confirmed its own Cham- founding members. Spain for one of the three re- pions League would expand And according to a state- maining permanent spots. from 32 to 36 teams from ment from Dortmund CEO The 1997 winners Dort- 2024 onwards and include Hans-Joachim Watzke on mund with their huge fan 100 more games. Monday the Bundesliga twin base and 80,000-capacity The reform creates more giants are committed to a stadium have also been fre- group matches as teams are Champions League reform quently mentioned. to be placed in one group and, from 2024 onwards and not But a big stumbling block according to a “Swiss model”, joining the planned new and could be that German clubs play 10 games against oppo- UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis (left) and UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin address media representatives during a press con- all but closed Super League. are run by their members and nents based on seeding before ference following the UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Montreux, Switzerland, on Monday. (UEFA/AFP) Watzke said that Dort- not investors, with opposition the knockout stages, up from mund and Bayern back the from fans to the new league six in the past. agreement of the European (and the planned Champions Earlier Monday 12 top Club Association (ECA) League reform) huge. clubs from England, Spain and ‘Breakaway League’: Founders, formats and finances with the UEFA competitions Other former European Italy including the likes of Liv- committee from Friday on a champions not entered in- erpool, Barcelona and Juven- Twenty teams, many group games and also three qualify for the quarter-finals, the fourth- Champions League reform clude four-time winners tus announced their intention knock-outs: that’s the plan for a breakaway and fifth-placed teams from each group from 2024 onwards which Ajax, Porto and Olympique to form a breakaway Super European Super League announced early determine a fourth qualifier in a two-legged was to be approved by the Marseille, with last year’s fi- League consisting of 20 teams. Monday. The 12 founding members want to play-off. Quarter- and semi-finals in two legs UEFA executive committee nalists PSG with superstars The announcement sent start as soon as possible and a women’s each and one final on a neutral ground. on Monday. Neymar and Kylian Mbappe shockwaves around the world event is to be added as well. “The ECA board mem- also not part. and drew wide-ranging con- Dates: The Super League is to start from bers took a clear stance in UEFA explicitly thanked demnation from politicians, This is what we know so far: Founding next season and run from August until May. rejecting plans for the estab- German and French clubs federations and fans. clubs: Arsenal, Manchester United, Liver- All matches apart from the final are to take lishment of a Super League,” for not entering, and French Ceferin said players par- pool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Man- place in mid-week. That would be in direct he said, adding that Bay- President Emmanuel Ma- ticipating in such a league chester City from England; AC Milan, Inter competition to the Champions League but ern and Dortmund “shared cron said France would sup- would be banned from na- Milan and Juventus from Italy; Real Madrid, An Arsenal fan holds an anti-European won’t overlap with domestic championships exactly the same stance port “all the steps taken ... to tional teams and tournaments Barcelona and Atletico Madrid from Spain. Super League banner outside the Emirates where the Super League clubs want to throughout all discussions.” protect the integrity of fed- including the World Cup, and Stadium, in London on Monday. (AFP) continue playing. Dortmund officials and Mu- eral competitions, whether possibly even this summer’s Top officials: Real Madrid president Florenti- Finances: The clubs are to receive 3.5 billion nich chairman Karl-Heint national or European.” PSG Euro 2020. no Perez as chairman, deputies are Juventus qualify based on previous results, with no euros (4.2 million dollars) for their com- Rummenigge have in the also reportedly were part “We’re still assessing the chairman Andrea Agnelli and Manchester further details given at this stage. mitment to be used for infrastructure and past rejected joining a closed of the ECA meeting Sunday situation with our legal team. United co-chairman Joel Glazer. to make up for coronavirus-related losses. Super League and commit- that Watzke referred to. It’s a bit too early,” he was Participating teams: 20 teams in all. Three Format: The teams play a home and away Solidarity payments are to be more than 10 quoted as saying. “We will take additional teams are to join the 12 as group stage in two groups of 10 teams, billion euros in the first period, which the all the sanctions that we can. permanent members. The other five are to guaranteeing each team 18 games. The top clubs say is more than paid now. (DPA) former FA and Manchester City “shared exactly the same stance Ceferin said defiantly that chairman David Bernstein told throughout all discussions.” the Champions League would the BBC he was “ashamed as German clubs are run by also have enough good clubs financial reward.” the founders of the planned FIFA and UEFA may respond that “European DNA” in sport clubs with that history should members and not investors, without the breakaway sides. The Super League is to elite league. to this invitation letter by must be preserved but that it have great responsibility to the with opposition from fans to According to Sky Sports compete against the Cham- Champions League title seeking to take punitive meas- did not have enough informa- rest of the game.” the new league (and the Cham- UK, a board member member pions League with mid-week holders Bayern Munich lead ures to exclude any participat- tion on the planned competi- Spain’s La Liga and Germa- pions League reform) huge from one of the six English fixtures with its 20 teams, of German opposition to the ing club or player from their tion to make further remarks. ny’s federation DFB opposed just as in the other countries. clubs said they are unfazed in which 15 are to be permanent new event. respective competitions,” the EU Commission deputy the league and Borussia Dort- Players’ union FIF- what is “not a civil war but a members, in competition to American investment letter said. Margaritis Schinas tweeted mund CEO Hans-Joachim Pro warned that the Super nuclear war” in football. run August to May with 18 bank JP Morgan confirmed Germany’s Sueddeutsche that “we must defend a values- Watzke said his club and Mu- League could cause “irrepara- The unnamed person said group matchdays followed by to the PA news agency that it Zeitung meanwhile suggested driven European model of nich backed the agreement of ble damage,” and said “play- owners were “not that wor- knock-out stages. would fund the new event, and that a mainly closed Super sport based on diversity and the European Club Associa- ers continue to be used as ried about PR,” that “the wider Manchester clubs City and PA also reported that the new League could violate Europe- inclusion.” British Prime Min- tion (ECA) with UEFA on the assets and leverage in these good of the game is a secondary United, Arsenal, Tottenham, league has written to FIFA an Union laws which protect ister Boris Johnson said it was Champions League reform. negotiations” but also insist- concern” and that they would Chelsea and Liverpool; Ital- president Gianni Infantino the current format of football not “good news for fans” and “The ECA board members ed it would “vigorously op- even be happy about national ian sides AC and Inter Milan and Ceferin, calling for coop- with open leagues, promotion pledged “to make sure this took a clear stance in rejecting pose measures by either side team bans because “they don’t as well as Juventus; plus the eration but also revealing it and relegation. doesn’t go ahead in the way that plans for the establishment of that would impede the rights like giving their playing assets Spanish trio of Barcelona, has already taken legal action. A European Commission it’s currently being proposed.” a Super League,” he said, add- of players, such as exclusion away to countries for very little Real and Atletico Madrid are “We are concerned that spokeswoman said on Monday Looking at the English sides, ing that Bayern and Dortmund from their national teams.”

MORE TIME GIVEN Tottenham sack manager Mourinho UEFA delays decision on Munich and other hosts DPA DPA to host a quarter-final. London Berlin But Munich mayor Dieter Reiter told Welt am Sonntag Sunday Tottenham Hotspur have European football ruling body paper “it is simply not possible sacked manager Jose Mour- Jose Mourinho has also UEFA has given Munich and at the moment to make a state- inho less than a week before the been denied the chance of other cities further time to ment whether the infection rate League Cup final, the Premier delivering a first piece of decide on whether fans can be in June allows the presence of League club said on Monday. silverware to the club in admitted to Euro 2020 games fans in the stadium or not.” The 58-year-old has paid 13 years, with Spurs set to this summer amid the The Euros are due to open the price for a disappointing take on Manchester City coronavirus pandemic. June 11 in Rome and conclude campaign, with Spurs cur- at Wembley on Sunday. UEFA pushed back a deadline July 11 at London’s Wembley rently seventh in the Premier for Germany’s Munich, Spain’s Stadium. League and with little chance Bilbao and Irish capital Dublin Additionally Glasgow, Amster- of making the top four. to submit plans for attend- dam, Copenhagen, Budapest, That may not prove to be ance to the end of the week, it Bucharest, St Petersburg and too much of an issue, given Tot- said after the conclusion of an to attend games but will not Baku have been confirmed. tenham’s involvement in the executive committee meeting automatically remove a city’s Budapest wants to host capac- controversial European Super on Monday. hosting rights if this is not pos- ity crowds at the Puskas Arena League - but Mourinho will not “We’re pushing our final deci- sible. while the UK government also be the man to lead them in the and Inter Milan to Champions Carlos Lalin and Giovanni “Jose is a true professional sion to Friday,” said UEFA presi- Munich, which is due to host all hopes for a full stadium for the new breakaway competition League crowns and won the Cerra have been relieved of who showed enormous resil- dent Aleksander Ceferin. “We three Germany group games in final. should it materialise. Premier League in two stints their duties,” said Spurs. ience during the pandemic. still have to settle a couple of the tournament, has not yet felt UEFA on Monday was also Mourinho has also been with Chelsea, was appointed in “Ryan Mason will take first “On a personal level I have things.” The tournament is due able to guarantee attendance dealing with the fallout of 12 denied the chance of deliver- November 2019, less than 12 team training today and a fur- enjoyed working with him and to be held in 12 cities across given the infection situation in elite clubs announcing they ing a first piece of silverware to hours after former boss Mauri- ther update will follow in due regret that things have not the continent with the other the country. would form a breakaway Super the club in 13 years, with Spurs cio Pochettino was dismissed. course.” Tottenham chairman worked out as we both had en- nine venues already confirming Germany take on world cham- League which overshadowed its set to take on Manchester City “The club can today an- Daniel Levy said Mourinho visaged. He will always be wel- some fans will be permitted into pions France, holders Portugal own Champions League reform at Wembley on Sunday. nounce that Jose Mourinho “and his coaching staff have come here and we should like stadiums. and Hungary in their group which was approved by the The Portuguese Mour- and his coaching staff Joao been with us through most to thank him and his coaching UEFA wants fans to be allowed while Munich is also scheduled executive committee. inho, who led both Porto Sacramento, Nuno Santos, challenging times as a club. staff for their contribution.” Sports Tuesday, April 20, 2021 13 No room for error for Al Sadd in AFC CL clash against Al Wehdat AFC Riyadh

Qatar’s Al Sadd SC and Al Wehdat of Jordan will be vy- ing for their first win in Group D of the 2021 AFC Champions League when they clash at the King Fahd International Sta- dium at 9pm on Tuesday. Both teams have just one point to their names after two matches, and victory is a must in their bid to advance cus on our next match against “But the pressure will be to the Round of 16, with only Al Wehdat.” more on Al Sadd, who are not the group winners assured of Al Wehdat, in their maiden only favourites to qualify from a place. AFC Champions League group the group, but also to win the Al Sadd came into the stage campaign, have opted title. Al Sadd are a big team 2021 AFC Champions League for a defensive approach thus and they are capable of going having won the Qatar Stars far and it worked against Al through any pressure, but we League unbeaten but have Nassr, with the Jordanian side are also a very good team and struggled in Group D, having walking away with a 0-0 draw. we can stop Al Sadd.” had to claw back to salvage a Had it not been for Chimba “I trust my players, they 1-1 draw with Foolad Khouz- converting a penalty for Fool- have the abilities and the ex- estan on Matchday One, be- ad Khouzestan FC on Satur- perience, with many of them fore suffering a 3-1 defeat to Al day, Al Wehdat may have well playing in the national team, Nassr on Saturday. earned another point. and they can deliver what we While Al Sadd have proven Al Sadd have to score and must attack and defend better against Al We- However, Al Wehdat want from them. that they have no issues in cre- hdat of Jodran in their next tie on Tuesday, said coach Xavi Hernandez. need goals if they are to en- “Football is not only about ating goal opportunities, head joy a prolonged stay in the defence or attack, it’s about coach Xavi will remind his matches in order to get the dat and we’ve seen that they AFC Champions League and both, we have a very good de- players they have to be more three points. are good in defence and tran- a defensive approach may fensive structure, but we need to clinical upfront and resolute in “We didn’t play badly in sition well into attack. They no longer work at this stage make better use of our chances. defence, with Al Nassr having the first two matches, but we are organised and it is difficult of the tournament and head “We are an attacking team, punished them with speedy were not perfect, and the re- to score against them, but we coach Abdullah Abu Zema but we changed our style a counter-attacks when the sults were not in our favour, have to be ready for the match may have to rethink his plans. week before we came here, so score was 1-1. so we will have to play better and create chances to score. “The match against Al we need some time to adapt “Now we have a chance to and attack more. We must also “There is nothing guaran- Sadd will be very difficult, spe- and perfect our attacking for- get the first win and get three Al Sadd’s Santi Cazorla (left) and others in Riyadh on Monday. stay focused, as making mis- teed in the group, and we can’t cially when the two teams are mation. You need to be real- points, but we will be facing a takes at this level means you predict who will qualify, as all in a similar situation, with one istic when playing in the AFC difficult team, who are strong physical abilities,” said Xavi. match, we must attack and de- will concede and lose.” four teams still have a chance point after the first two match- Champions League, which de- in defence and have good “We have to score in this fend better than the first two “We’ve analysed Al Weh- to qualify, so we will only fo- es,” said Abu Zema. pends on small details.” Al Rayyan meet Al Wahda in must-win game Al Duhail coach Lamouchi disappointed with late draw AFC The Qatar Stars League Goa side took the lead against AFC Persepolis in the first period Jeddah United Arab Emirates’ Al but a second half collapse saw Wahda FSCC and Al Rayy- them conceding three times. Head coach Sabri Lam- an SC of Qatar will both be Laurent Blanc’s side are ouchi was disappointed with searching for their first win now in a desperate position Al Duhail SC’s late 1-1 draw when they meet in Group E but the Frenchman has prom- with Al Ahli Saudi FC in their of the 2021 AFC Champions ised an improved performance 2021 AFC Champions League League at Pandit Jawahar- against Al Wahda. Group C tie on Sunday. lal Nehru Stadium at 8pm “We definitely played Michael Olunga gave the Qa- Al Duhail coach Sabri Lamouchi. on Tuesday. poorly in the second half tar side the lead before the break Al Wahda will fancy their against Persepolis and now but Al Ahli striker Omar Al Soma they had been the better side. chances, having defeated Al we have to improve against Al scored a stoppage time equaliser “I’m truly disappointed for Rayyan in four out of their five Wahda,” said Blanc. to salvage his side a point. what happened at the end,” previous meetings in the AFC “Tomorrow is another The result meant Al Du- said Lamouchi. “We unfortu- Champions League. game and I hope my team hail – who had opened their nately lost two points although Both teams, however, have play with intensity because we campaign with a 2-0 win over we created more than 29 shots not enjoyed the best of starts need to win, it is important to Al Shorta of Iraq - trail group on target and we should assess to their 2021 campaign and us and we’re ready to do that.” leaders Esteghlal FC of Is- what happened. We changed with just a point to show after “Matchday Three is the lamic Republic of Iran by two some positions on the pitch two matches, neither can af- halfway point of the group stage points heading into their clash but we failed to win the match ford anything less than a win and it’s very important for all on Wednesday. at the end. Omar was Al Ahli’s on Tuesday. the teams. If you perform well, Frenchman Lamouchi said best player but they didn’t cre- Al Wahda started their Al Wahda (left) and Al Rayyan will clash in their Group E AFC Champions League match on Tuesday. you’ll be on your way but if you his side missed out on a de- ate many scoring chances,” 2021 campaign on a losing don’t then it will cause prob- served win due to bad luck as lamented Lamouchi. note after a lapse in concen- less draw. tactician. “Like I mentioned want to win games you must lems further down the road. tration saw them lose 1-0 to A win against Al Rayyan, before it’s hard on the players play on the offensive and I “My plan is always the Islamic Republic of Iran’s however, will put Al Wahda’s to perform their duties prop- hope against Al Rayyan, we same. It doesn’t matter who Persepolis FC. AFC Champions League cam- erly if they are fasting during can achieve that.” we play, Goa, Persepolis or Al Henk ten Cate’s men paign back on track and ten the tournament Al Rayyan, who faced FC Wahda, the most important showed promise against FC Cate has urged his team to be “Al Rayyan are a good side Goa in their Group E opener, thing is to score goals and that Goa in the early stages of their fully focused. and the same thing can be said were also left frustrated by the is our target. If we score one Matchday Two encounter but “It has been really frustrat- about us. It is going to be the hosts in a 0-0 draw but worse goal, we have to defend that the Indian Premier League ing for us after two games,” la- two clubs fighting for second was to follow against Persepo- lead so it is best to score more side stood firm to force a goal- mented the 66-year-old Dutch place in the standings. If you lis on Saturday. than one.” Klopp remains against Super League, was ‘not involved’ in talks DPA Klopp, speaking to Sky pool’s inclusion in the breaka- together. It should not be al- Neville’s ex-United team- own and say ‘OK, you’re going London Sports ahead of his side’s way faction - with Klopp keen lowed to happen,” added Car- mate Eric Cantona felt it was to be banned from the Premier game at Elland Road, stuck for the relationship between ragher. a “shame” that fans had not League from next season.’ Liverpool manager Jurgen by his words from 2019 when his players and the club’s fans Former Manchester Unit- been consulted. Speaking on That’s how they should deal Klopp insisted his negative he said he “hoped this Super to remain undamaged. ed defender Gary Neville, who a video on his Instagram, the with this,” he said via Coral. opinion of a European Super League will never happen”. “What I really don’t like is spoke passionately against the Frenchman said: “Since one Like Carragher, former League had not changed and “It didn’t change. My opin- that Liverpool Football Club is proposals before confirma- year we have seen games on England, Tottenham and Bar- stressed the importance of the ion didn’t change,” the Ger- much more than some deci- tion came late on Sunday, hit TV with the best clubs in the celona striker Gary Lineker “competitive factor of football” man said. sions and the most important out at the club’s owners, the world and the best players in believes fan-power can stop ahead of Monday night’s Pre- “It is a tough one, people part of football are the sup- Glazer family: “When I woke the world, and it was so bor- the plan. mier League game at Leeds. are not happy with that. I can porters and the team and we up and saw the statement and ing, and it’s still so boring, The Match of the Day host Six Premier League sides understand that, but I cannot have to make sure that really it had Joel Glazer’s name on it, because the fans are not there tweeted: “Football is nothing - Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, say a lot more about it because nothing gets in between that,” I thought this was a big prob- - the fans singing, jumping, without its fans. We’ve seen Manchester City, Manches- we were not involved in any he said. lem.” supporting their teams.” that clearly over the last 12 ter United and Tottenham - processes - not the players, not He added: “The boys did Liverpool’s German manager “He doesn’t put his name “The fans are the most im- months. If fans stand as one are part of an initial group of me. We didn’t know about it. nothing wrong, apart from Jurgen Klopp. (AFP) on anything, that man. He is portant thing in football. They against this anti-football pyra- 12 clubs seeking to establish The facts are out there and we not winning all of the football intelligent, he knows what he have to be respected. Did these mid scheme, it can be stopped a new 20-team continental will have to see how it devel- games, so I really want to make will be Liverpool, because I wants and he has parked his big clubs ask the fans what in its tracks.” Ex-Arsenal competition “as soon as prac- ops,” he said. sure everyone knows that.” have seen it before,” he said. weasels and he has come out they thought about this idea? manager Arsene Wenger says ticable.” “I have no issues with the Former Liverpool defend- “We have tribalism in this and it made me think, ‘This No, unfortunately, and that’s the move goes against every- AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Champions League, I like the er Jamie Carragher called on country, we have rivalry and is serious.’ He is not backing a shame.” thing football is based upon. Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juven- competitive factor of football,” everyone involved in the sport that is what makes the game down, he will try and push this The Premier League’s all- Wenger, now FIFA’s chief of tus and Real Madrid have also he said. to unite and battle against the the way it is and that is what through and, once he puts his time leading goalscorer Alan global football development, signed up as founding clubs, “I like the fact that West proposals. “My message to we love. Football fans get to- name on it, he is going to try Shearer earlier urged the told talkSPORT. with three more expected to Ham might play in the Cham- everyone is that these clubs gether - all of us in TV, pundits, and force this through. (The league to kick out breakaway “Football has to stay unit- follow before the inaugural pions League next year. I don’t think this is a done deal, I players, managers get together Glazers) have been through clubs. ed - that is the most important season. But the plan has pro- want them to because we want don’t think it is,” he told Mon- and stop this. It can be stopped hell in the early years at Man- “These 12 clubs dropped thing - and based on sporting voked widespread outrage, to do that, but I like that they day Night Football. “Support- and I am convinced of it. chester United, they withstood a huge grenade on the sport merits and overall to respect with high-profile figures from have the chance.” A number of ers up and down this country Going forward that is it, stood it out and they don’t with this announcement, and the history of European foot- football and politics uniting to banners appeared outside An- can stop it and I really do be- what we need - marches on care, so when I saw his name the Premier League should re- ball. I believe personally that condemn the proposals. field in protest against Liver- lieve it. At the forefront of that stadiums, supporters getting on it I really worried.” spond with a grenade of their this idea will not go far.” 14 Tuesday, April 20, 2021 Sports Moeen, Jadeja spin a web as CSK score over RR ANI Mumbai

Moeen Ali and Ravindra Jadeja shared five wickets be- tween them to dismantle Ra- jasthan Royals as Chennai Su- per Kings registered a 45-run victory here at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday. A spirited batting perfor- mance by Chennai guided them to a total of 188/9 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, Ra- jasthan only managed to post Mahendra Singh Dhoni. 143/9 despite getting a decent start. Chasing 189, openers Manan Vohra and Buttler pro- Performances vided a 30-run stand for the first wicket before pacer Sam are not Curran picked the former in the fourth over. Vohra depart- ed after scoring 14 runs. guaranteed, Skipper Sanju Samson (1) failed to leave his mark on the says Dhoni scoreboard and lost his wicket cheaply in the final over of ANI the powerplay. It was again Mumbai Curran who took the wicket of Samson and brought Ra- Following their emphatic jasthan under pressure. win over Rajasthan Royals in Shivam Dube joined But- the Indian Premier League, tler in the middle and the duo Chennai Super Kings skipper stitched a 42-run partnership MS Dhoni said they should for the third wicket. In the have scored more but lost quick 12th over, Ravindra Jadeja wickets in the middle overs. sent both the batsmen back to Moeen Ali and Ravindra the pavilion. Jadeja shared five wickets First, he picked well-set between them to dismantle Buttler, who played a knock 49 Rajasthan as CSK registered off 35 balls including two sixes a comprehensive 45-run win and five fours, and then on the here at the Wankhede Stadium. last ball of the over he grabbed Earlier, Faf du Plessis and Dube (17). Dube was caught in Chennai Super Kings’ Dwayne Bravo greets Chetan Sakariya of Rajasthan Royals after victory in the IPL match played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday. Ambati Rayudu scored at a front of the wickets. However, firing rate before Dwayne Bra- the all-rounder reviewed the Rahul Tewatia kept the lotted 20 overs. off to a decent start before it continued from he left the oth- to 125/5. vo’s 20 runs off 8 balls came decision but the on-field um- fighting spirit alive for Ra- Despite losing wickets at was undone by Mustafizur er night as he whacked the ball The next few overs saw handy in the death overs as pire’s decision stayed firm. jasthan but failed to put his regular intervals, CSK was Rahman, who dismissed open- right from the word go. CSK scoring a sluggish rate CSK posted 188/9 in their al- The trouble did not end for side over the line. He played a right on track for a big score ing batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad However, Rahul Tewatia and Dhoni (18) tried to free his lotted 20 overs. Rajasthan after losing two wick- knock of 20 runs. Jaydev Un- before Chetan Sakariya dis- in the fourth over. dismissed the England all- arms by smashing two bound- Despite losing wickets at ets at quick succession as Moeen adkat too contributed with the missed both Suresh Raina and But Faf du Plessis contin- rounder in the 10th over against aries but wasn’t able to middle regular intervals, CSK was Ali bagged new batsman David bat and scored 24 runs. Rayudu in his third over. ued his onslaught as he pulled run of play as CSK lost the third the next ball. In end, Sam Cur- right on track for a big score Miller (2) in the next over. For CSK, Moeen returned Sakariya in the 14th over off two back-to-back scoops for wicket at the score of 78. ran and Dwayne Bravo’s con- before Chetan Sakariya dis- Fiery Moeen was again with the figures of 3-7 from his broke CSK’s momentum and boundaries. The South Africa In the 11th and 12th over, tribution helped CSK get over missed both Suresh Raina and brought into the attack. In the three overs while Jadeja and came back to dismiss skipper batsman then sliced a six over CSK got a move on as Suresh the 180-run mark. Rayudu in his third over. 15th over, England all-rounder Curran bagged two scalps each. Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Most long-off before smashing an- Raina and Ambati Ambati Scores: CSK 188/9 (Faf du dismissed Riyan Parag (3) and Earlier, Faf du Plessis and CSK batsmen got a move on other four as he took on Jaydev Rayudu clubbed 30 off 12 Plessis 33, Ambati Rayudu last-match hero Chris Morris Ambati Rayudu scored at a but weren’t able to convert it Unadkat in the fifth over. balls. However, Rajasthan 27; Chetan Sakariya 3-36); on a duck. CSK totally took firing rate before Dwayne Bra- in a big score. In the final four Chris Morris ended Du Royals again made a come- Rajasthan Royals 143/9 (Jos the control of the game as they vo’s 20 runs off 8 balls came overs, CSK scored 55 runs de- Plessis’ stint before comple- back as Chetan Sakariya dis- Buttler 49, Jaydev Unadkat 24; Performances are dragged Rajasthan from 87/3 handy in the death overs as spite losing four wickets. tion of the powerplay to re- missed both the batsmen in Moeen Ali 3-7, Sam Curran something that’s not to 95/7 in no time. CSK posted 188/9 in their al- Put in to bat first,C SK got duce CSK to 45/2. Moeen Ali the same over to reduce CSK 2-24, Jadeja 2-28). guaranteed. I wasn’t guaranteeing performances when I was 24, I can’t guarantee when I am 40. Quick Singles But at least if people can’t European Super League is a selfish point finger at me that he’s Former Lanka batsman banned for eight unfit then that will be a big and egotistical proposal: La Liga years under ICC Anti-Corruption Code positive for me. I have to Dubai: Former Sri Lanka batsman Dilhara Lokuhettige has been keep up with the younger ANI City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tot- compete at the pinnacle of impact on the immediate and banned from all cricket for eight years after an ICC Anti-Corruption guys, they are very fast, it’s Madrid tenham Hotspur and Chelsea. European football. LaLiga de- future of LaLiga, its member Tribunal found him guilty of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. good to challenge. This European Super League fends this European tradition clubs, and all the entire foot- The ban for Lokuhettige is backdated to April 3, 2019, when he was LaLiga on Monday con- has been met with severe of football for all. balling ecosystem,” it added. provisionally suspended. Lokuhettige has also been charged by the Mahendra Singh Dhoni demned the recently published backlash ever since reports The concept proposed by LaLiga also said that the ICC on behalf of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) with breaching proposal for a breakaway, elit- started doing rounds in the 12 European clubs destroys breakaway league threatens three counts of the ECB Anti-Corruption Code for Participants for Sakariya in the 14th over ist European competition, say- media. Despite this fact, the 12 that dream, shutting the door the rest of Spanish sports to the T10 League and these proceedings are ongoing. (ANI) broke CSK’s momentum and ing that it “attacks the princi- clubs have now confirmed the to the top of European foot- which, in the current season, came back to dismiss Dhoni. ples of open competition and formation and format for the ball, allowing in just an elite LaLiga will contribute more Most CSK batsmen got a move sporting merit” which are at new competition. few,” LaLiga said in an official than 126 million euros as COVID-19: ICC confident WTC final will on but weren’t able to convert the heart of the domestic and LaLiga termed the newly statement. part of its agreement with the go ahead as planned in June in UK it in a big score. In the final European football pyramid. proposed tournament as a “The newly proposed Spanish government and the four overs, CSK scored 55 runs A group of 12 European “selfish, egotistical proposal top European competition is Spanish FA. Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday said it is con- despite losing four wickets. clubs on Monday confirmed designed to further enrich the nothing more than a selfish, Earlier, UEFA had said fident the orldW Test Championship (WTC) final between India and New “I always look at what’s the their plans to launch a new Eu- already super-rich”. egotistical proposal designed that any player and club who Zealand will go ahead as planned in Southampton in June. The final of best at that point of time. I felt ropean Super League. Among “Today football fans across to further enrich the already participates in the proposed the WTC is to be played in a bio-secure bubble at the Hampshire Bowl Sam bowled really well and these 12, six belong to Premier Europe can dream that their super-rich. It will undermine Super League will be banned in Southampton. The final is slated to start on June 18 and continue till Deepak I think he tried the League and they are -- Man- club, no matter the size, may the appeal of the whole game from UEFA and FIFA football June 22 with June 23 kept as the reserve day. (ANI) knuckle ball too much and felt chester United, Manchester excel, climb to the top and and have a deeply damaging tournaments. that a good start (with the ball) was important,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation. “I felt we should have scored more and try to get as Atletico rout Eibar to extend Liga lead, Real draw at Getafe many as possible. A lot has changed over the years and DPA doesn’t become monotonous, Courtois was forced into a the captains, I have to work right from the start we kept a Barcelona and Real Madrid and Barce- brilliant save from Enes Unal every day and who has to play, very good atmosphere and a lona always win.” Simeone’s and another fine stop to deny plays.” lot of the bowlers were under Atletico Madrid thrashed side are starting to recover af- Nemanja Maksimovic. Zinedine Zidane’s side the pump last year but this Eibar 5-0 to move three points ter a bad run of form that saw Madrid, who drew with are on 67 points from 31 time they are enjoying bowling clear at the top of La Liga on Real and Barca cut down their Liverpool in midweek to games, two ahead of Bar- on these wickets. When you’re Sunday, with champions Real large lead at the top to virtu- reach the Champions League celona, who won the Copa playing you don’t want anyone Madrid stumbling to a 0-0 ally nothing. semi-finals, lacked energy and del Rey on Saturday against to say he’s unfit,” he added. draw at Getafe. However Real, hampered stamina in the final stages and Athletic Bilbao and saw their Speaking about his own Despite missing top scorer themselves by significant inju- could not score a late victory. league clash with Granada performance with the bat, the Luis Suarez and record signing ry and coronavirus problems, “I think it’s always hard to postponed as a result. 39-year-old: “Performances Joao Felix, Atletico dealt bot- with Sergio Ramos, Raphael play here, we knew what we Fourth place Sevilla came are something that’s not guar- tom-of-the-table Eibar a heavy Varane, Eden Hazard and oth- were in for, but it is what it is,” from behind to beat Real So- anteed. I wasn’t guaranteeing drubbing. ers on the sidelines, struggled said Madrid defender Mar- ciedad, seventh, 2-1, while a vi- performances when I was 24, I Angel Correa and Marcos at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. celo, recently back in the team brant Villarreal, fifth, thrashed can’t guarantee when I am 40. Llorente struck braces either Goalkeeper Thibaut after a long spell as a reserve. Levante 5-1. But at least if people can’t point side of Yannick Carrasco’s Courtois made several excel- “I don’t think we lost two Rodrigo Battaglia’s late finger at me that he’s unfit then goal, to put Atletico on 70 lent saves to earn his clean points but instead gained a goal earned Alaves a crucial that will be a big positive for points from 31 games. sheet and in attack they creat- Atletico Madrid’s Belgian midfielder Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco (L) point because it’s tough here. 1-0 win over Huesca at the me. I have to keep up with the “The important thing is ed little after Mariano round- celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Spanish I think there’s no time to rest, bottom of the table. younger guys, they are very fast, to be able to win, it keeps you ed David Soria and found the League match against SD Eibar at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium but that’s what we have to do, The teams are 16th and it’s good to challenge.” calm for the week ahead,” said net but the goal was ruled out in Madrid late on Sunday. (AFP) we have to continue and give 17th respectively, level on 27 CSK, currently placed at Atletico coach Diego Simeone. for offside. everything. points with 18th place Real the second spot in the points “The league season has a At the other end Jaime close with a low effort. yards towards the end of the “Football is like this right Valladolid. table, will now play against very nice run-in and I hope Mata hit the post for the hosts Soria kept out Vinicius first half, with Getafe going on now. I don’t see myself as a Elsewhere Osasuna earned Kolkata Knight Riders on that we can keep growing so it and Mauro Arambarri came Junior’s header from eight to dominate after the break. secondary player, I’m one of a 2-0 win over 19th place Elche. Wednesday. Sports Tuesday, April 20, 2021 15 Hamilton’s thrill at second shows spice of F1 battle Mercedes’ British is rarely happy unless on the top step of the podium – something that changed with a battling comeback performance to second in Italy on Sunday as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen confirmed his championship challenge with victory

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton speaks with his team after the Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Internazion- ale Enzo e Dino Ferrari race track in Imola, Italy, on Sunday. (AFP)

bination early and Verstap- pen won at a canter, though he played down the margin of victory. I started first, should “I wouldn’t call it a domi- have been first at the nant performance as Lewis was following me quite well finish but these things and for him to come back are sent to test us and to second after his incident means they have a lot of pace we’ve got a great battle in that car,” he said. on our hands. “I’m looking forward Game on. to Portimao because it’s an amazing track and then we go Lewis Hamilton to a track we all know well in Barcelona. We’ll see what we can do but so far, it’s been a However, the perfor- good start to the year.” mance of both drivers is likely Verstappen is a point be- to earn them a severe ticking hind Hamilton in what looks off in their respective debriefs like a head-to-head duel for this week. the championship. His Red “Unfortunately, the crash Bull team-mate Sergio Perez between George and Valtteri Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen (R) drives ahead of Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton (L) during the Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Inter- outqualified him to start sec- was unnecessary,” said Mer- nazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari race track in Imola, Italy, on Sunday. (AFP) ond to the Dutchman’s third cedes team boss Toto Wolff. but eventually finished out of “Valtteri had a difficult first DPA The 18 championship Hamilton’s difficult day into the gravel and resumed in onship-winning car in a long the points in 11th. 30 laps and shouldn’t have Imola (Italy) points gained for second - plus started when Verstappen’s ninth. time and their car was incred- Valtteri Bottas in the other been there but George should one extra for fastest lap - kept Red Bull made a flying start “Without doubt, getting ibly fast this weekend.” Mercedes meanwhile failed to have never launched into this No driver has won more For- Hamilton fractionally ahead of and appeared to nudge him back to second and getting Mercedes have dominated even finish after a crash with manoeuvre considering that mula One races than Lewis race winner Max Verstappen in an early overtake, dam- these points today will be very the hybrid engine era with sev- the Williams of George Russell the track was drying up. Hamilton so the joy of the in the early title standings. aging the front wing of the valuable through the season,” en consecutive championships – a contender for his seat next It meant taking risks and Briton at fighting back from “I started first, should have Mercedes. said Hamilton. and will try to squeeze more season. the other car is a Mercedes in a rare error to claim second been first at the finish but But Hamilton showed tre- “If I’d lost 25 points today, from their car by the Portugal- The pair had an angry front of him and in any driv- in Sunday’s Emilia Romagna these things are sent to test mendous pace – more than it would have been very hard Spain double-header on May 2 exchange of views on the ers’ development as a young Grand Prix highlights both us and we’ve got a great battle the car seemingly had three to recover, based on the fact and 9. track though stewards even- driver you must never lose the size and importance of the on our hands,” said Hamilton. weeks ago at the Bahrain sea- that Red Bull – it’s the first Red Bull, however, seem tually deemed it to be a rac- this global perspective. Lots to achievement. “Game on.” son-opener – before he spun time they’ve had a champi- to have found the right com- ing incident. learn for him I guess.”

NBA Doncic scores 37 but Kings hold off Mavs to snap 9-game losing streak

TCA/DPA The Mavericks shot just Sacramento (California) 36.7 per cent and made 7 of 27 (.259) from beyond the arc. Luka Doncic tried to bring the Sacramento extended its Dallas Mavericks back from a lead to 21 when Barnes scored big deficit, but De’Aaron Fox to put his team up 80-59 mid- made sure that didn’t happen. way through the third quarter, Fox posted his 11th double- but Dallas responded with a double of the season, finishing 15-2 run to cut the deficit to with 30 points and 12 assists eight. to help the Kings snap a nine- The Kings led by 10 at the game losing streak with a 121- end of the third, but the game 107 victory over the Mavericks would get closer in the fourth. on Sunday night at American The Mavericks got within Airlines Center in Dallas. six on a 3-pointer by Finney- Fox scored 12 points in Smith with 3:30 remaining, Qatar’s beach volleyball duo – Cherif Younousse (left) and Ahmed Tijan. the fourth quarter to help the but Fox made a couple of mid- Kings hold off a late charge range jump shots and Wright from the Mavericks. He made hit all six of his free-throw at- 12 of 21 field-goal attempts tempts in the final 1:12 to help Qatar duo Cherif-Tijan and 6 of 7 free throws to post the Kings hold on. his 17th 30-point game of the UP NEXT The Kings will season. play a home game in front of shock world champs at Kings coach Luke Walton their fans for the first time in was asked about Fox’s emer- more than a year when they gence as a closer this season entertain the Minnesota Tim- and his duel with Doncic down berwolves on Tuesday at Gold- World Tour in Cancun the stretch. en 1 Center. “It’s really exciting and State officials recently an- Agencies on Saturday. The Czechs arrived in Can- that was fun,” Walton said. nounced new guidelines al- Cancun (Mexico) They needed a victory to cun on a high after having won “Probably would have lowing sports fans to return advance to the elimination the first event of the 2021 sea- been a little more fun if we to arenas, ballparks and sta- The Qatari beach volleyball round and claimed a hard- son, the 4-star Katara Cup in weren’t fighting the nine- diums with strict Covid-19 duo of Cherif Younousse and fought win against Mexicans Doha, in March. game losing streak, but protocols and capacity restric- Ahmed Tijan stormed ahead Juan Virgen and Lombardo In the quarter-finals, the watching those two go, think- tions. in the-finals of FIVB Beach Ontiveros, prevailing 2-1 (24- Czechs will face another Rus- ing about the future of the Under red-tier restric- Volleyball World Tour event 26, 21-19, 22-20). sian team in Konstantin Se- NBA, thinking about the fu- tions, the Kings can admit of the Cancun Hub in Mexico Their path continued in menov and Ilya Leshukov. ture for our team and the up to 3,500 fans, but all tick- on Monday with a roaring the Round of 24, where they The two ended the run of player De’Aaron is turning etholders must show proof a 2-1 victory over reigning eliminated Russians Nikita Li- Swiss qualifiers Quentin Me- into is really exciting.” of vaccination or a negative world champions Russia’s Vi- amin and Taras Myskiv also in tral and Yves Haussener in the Harrison Barnes added Covid-19 PCR or Antigen test acheslav Krasilnikov and Oleg three sets (21-12, 16-21, 15-9) tournament with a 2-0 (21-17, 24 points and Terence Davis completed within 72 hours of Stoyanovskiy 2-1 (12-21/21- to move forward. In the Round 21-16) Round of 16 win. came off the bench to score the event. 19/10-15) in round 2. of 16, they secured their only Top-seeded and world rank- 23 for the Kings (23-34), who Kings President of Busi- Earlier, Czechs Ondrej Pe- 2-0 (21-18, 21-12) triumph in ing leaders Anders Mol and avoided their longest los- ness Operations John Rine- rusic and David Schweiner the tournament so far, against Christian Sørum of Norway also ing streak since 1998. Delon De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings takes a shot against Tim hart said attendance for three turned the tables after their Americans Tri Bourne and moved on as they secured their Wright had 13 points. Hardaway Jr. #11 of the Dallas Mavericks in the fourth quarter at Ameri- remaining April home games rough start on Sunday, the sec- Trevor Crabb. third victory in the event, a 2-1 Hassan Whiteside had 12 can Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday. (Getty Images/AFP) will be limited to 1,600 in the ond day of the tournament fac- “Our first match against (21-15, 15-21, 15-12) triumph points and 10 rebounds in his lower bowl with about 400 ing a serious risk of elimination. Austria was a disaster and over American veterans Phil second start of the season. 3-of-14 shooting. 45 points in the second quar- more in suites and lofts. Three matches and nearly against the Mexicans, they Dalhausser and Nick Lucena. Doncic scored 23 points The Kings jumped out to ter. The Kings hope to gradual- 12 hours later, the scenario had their chances and if they Another match-up will see in the fourth quarter to finish an early 10-point lead after the The Kings appeared to be ly expand attendance in May. had changed drastically as the had won, it would have been Cherif Samba/Ahmed Tijan with 37 for the Mavericks (30- Mavericks missed 10 of their in command after producing The Kings will complete Czechs had secured a spot in totally fair,” Perusic reacted. facing Adrian Carambula/En- 26), who got within six in the first 11 shots. one of their best halves of the a back-to-back set against the quarterfinals in Mexico. “Ee have to thank our rico Rossi. The Italians moved final minutes after trailing by The Mavericks cut the season. the Timberwolves (15-42) on The 26-year-old Perusic physio too because playing forward after they ousted 21 in the third quarter. deficit to two at the end of the They shot 56.9 per cent Wednesday. and Schweiner started the day three matches in a day wasn’t Swiss Marco Krattiger and Dorian Finney-Smith had opening period, but the Kings from the field while making Minnesota handed Sacra- under pressure after having easy. It’s amazing to end Florian Breer in two sets (21- 22 points. Kristaps Porzin- opened up a 67-50 halftime 7 of 15 (.467) from 3-point mento a 116-106 loss on April lost to Austrians Martin Er- the day like this after such a 18, 23-21). gis was held to nine points on advantage after erupting for range. 5 in Minneapolis. macora and Moritz Pristauz rough start.” (inputs FIVB)