MONDAY, MAY 21, 2018 20

FIFA have unveiled the official match ball for the World Cup in Russia. The new adidas Telstar 2018 harks back to their first match ball in 1970

TELSTAR 2018 Russia: Modern interpretation of the Team England ready iconic Telstar which was used from 1970-74, based on similar carcass to 2014 Brazuca

Six panels glued in seamless construction, with for racism in Russia distinct 3D textured surface for greater control and grip England open their World Cup campaign against Tunisia in Volgograd on June 18 1970-74 TELSTAR 1978-82 TANGO Mexico: Designed Argentina, Spain: for black-and-white Sealed seams cut AFP | London TV – 32 hand- water intake stitched leather panels ngland are to receive ad- vice on how to deal with 1986 AZTECA 1990 ETRUSCO potential racist incidents Mexico: First Italy: Polyurethane E synthetic ball with foam layer increases they may encounter at the up- improved durability response and water coming World Cup in Russia, resistance according to manager Gareth Southgate. 1994 QUESTRA 1998 TRICOLORE U.S.: Polyethylene France: Syntactic There are concerns that rac- foam increases foam matrix layer ism has become endemic within energy return, further increases Russian football and earlier this boosts speed energy return month the country’s football 24 days to go…… 2002 FEVERNOVA 2006 TEAMGEIST association was fined 30,000 Korea/Japan: Germany: 14-panel Swiss francs (25,000 euros) by “So we have everything in Durable woven thermal-bonded layer. global governing body FIFA fol- place, but most importantly is chassis, syntactic Surface responds foam. Speed can more evenly for better lowing racist chants by support- that internally the players feel exceed 130km/h control ers during a friendly interna- they have that level of support.” tional against France in March. England open their World 2010 JABULANI 2014 BRAZUCA South Africa: Eight Brazil: Six France’s Manchester United Cup campaign against Tunisia panels. Aero thermally- and Bar- England Manager Gareth Southgate with players during the warm-up in Volgograd on June 18. grooves improve bonded celona winger Ousmane Dem- Racism has plagued Russian flight stability TPU panels bele were the target of monkey Southgate, a former England football since clubs began pur- Sources: FIFA, adidas © GRAPHIC NEWS chants during their side’s 3-1 international, added: “The most chasing foreign players after the win over Russia in Saint Peters- important thing is that inter- Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. burg. “We work with our nally we are able to support our The Football Against Racism “We work with our players players on how we players if something does hap- in Europe (FARE) anti-discrim- Payet’s snub on TV on how we will support each will support each pen and they understand how ination network reported 89 other if anything like that was to other if anything like their team-mates and our staff racist and far-right incidents at happen,” said Southgate. “There are going to go about that. Russian games in the 2016-2017 irks player’s mother would be some official protocol that was to happen” “There are some sessions we season. The number was about to follow if it did happen but we GARETH SOUTHGATE will do with them about that, the same as that recorded in AFP | London “No. He found out watching on really hope it is a situation that and then there is the official the preceding three seasons -- television like everyone else, doesn’t emerge, and that it’s a protocol to be followed. As a an indication that the Russian rance coach Didier Des- with the family.” festival of football we are talking federation I think we would be Football Union’s attempts to Fchamps has faced criticism Deschamps said the failure about on the pitch and not talk- strong in pushing for the right eradicate the problem have yet for not personally informing to call the forward, who had ing about things off the field.” solutions within that. to succeed. forward Dimitri Pay- been prominent in the Euro et he would not be going to the 2016 campaign, had been a World Cup -- from the player’s logistical one. mother. “I had a list of 23 players to Asked on TF1’s Telefoot show deliver and many things to do if her son had been personally so with the limited time I had, Japan name Honda, Kagawa in WC squad informed by Deschamps that unhappily for he was not part of the plans I didn’t get round to it,” the AP | Tokyo play well, and they’re vital to for Russia 2018, she replied: coach explained. the national team,” Nishino Payet was far from alone ew Japan coach Akira told reporters. “I hope they will as Real Madrid striker Karim NNishino named Keisuke maintain their performance and Benzema, Manchester United Honda and to Ja- contribute.” forward and pan’s squad for an internation- Friday’s announcement was Arsenal’s Alexander Lacazette al friendly on May 30 against the first indication about which were all left off a multi-talent- Ghana in . players Nishino has in mind for ed roster. Japan are expected to name the World Cup. will lead their final 23-man squad for the Japan fired Halilhodzic last France’s attack, most likely World Cup on May 31, several month and replaced him with alongside Kylian Mbappe or days ahead of the June 4 dead- Nishino. . line. The two had struggled to Honda has seven goals with Strikers Ousmane Dembe- make the team under former Mexican side Pachuca this sea- le (Barcelona), coach Vahid Halilhodzic, but son. The attacking midfielder (Lyon) and Nishino made it clear they are fell out of favour with Halilhod- (Marseille) all provide solid critical. zic, who benched him during Dimitri Payet back-up options. “You all probably know their Keisuke Honda Shinji Kagawa qualifying matches. South Korea star out of World Cup PLAYER OF THE DAY Espn | London

outh Korea’s World Cup Shopes suffered a major blow on Saturday as star midfielder Kwon Chang-hoon sustained KNOW WHAT an Achilles injury that is set to rule the 23 year-old out of the tournament. With 14 minutes remaining Korean media in the final game of the French reports stated campaign, Kwon, Korea’s most that the injury is in-form player with 11 goals for serious and it is Dijon FCO this season, limped expected that the off the pitch against Angers. The exact nature of the injury player will be out has yet to be determined but in of action for some time a statement released by Dijon, Kwon Chang-hoon the club said it is “probably a rupture of the Achilles tendon, even if it is necessary to wait for that the injury is serious and South Korea kick off Group day, a day before the start of the the results of the examination. it is expected that the player, F against Sweden on June 18 national team’s training camp. Speedy, skilful and a master at both creating and scoring goals, “One thing is certain, he will who joined Dijon in January before taking on Mexico and It is the latest and most seri- Hazard is one of the most exciting forwards in world football. miss the World Cup in Russia.” 2017, will be out of action for Germany. Kwon was expected ous in a series of injury worries The Chelsea star served up six goals and five assists during Korean media reports stated some time. to arrive back in Korea on Sun- for coach Shin Tae-yong. Belgium’s impressive qualifying campaign.