WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2017 SPORTS Recent rout boosts Atletico Madrid hopes

MADRID: It was a match more than two Kroos, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and years ago that is keeping Atletico Madrid Ronaldo, who scored a hat trick in the first hopeful of a comeback against Real Madrid leg last week to give his team a command- in the Champions League semifinals. ing advantage going into today’s game. “It’s Atletico needs to overturn a 3-0 loss from going to be very difficult, but this is soccer,” the first leg today, but it wasn’t too long Simeone said. “Unexpected things can hap- ago that fans at the Vicente Calderon pen and we will fight until the last drop of Stadium witnessed the type of feat that can hope. We will try to do something impossi- put Atletico in the final. It was on a ble, but we are Atletico Madrid and we just Saturday afternoon in February 2015 that might be able to do it.” Atletico is trying to Atletico had one of its greatest victories avoid losing to Madrid for the fourth over Madrid, a 4-0 rout in the Spanish straight season in the Champions League. league. That was Atletico’s only win over It had heart-breaking losses in the finals in Madrid by a difference of three goals in the 2014 and 2016, and also was eliminated in last four decades, but it’s what has been the 2015 quarterfinals. giving many fans and players some hope “It’s very difficult to overturn this result ahead of the team’s difficult task at the but we will keep believing until the end Calderon. because that’s our mentality and we will be “We already beat them by four goals in playing with our fans behind us,” Atletico the Calderon, with Cristiano (Ronaldo) play- defender Stefan Savic said. Regardless of ing and all,” Atletico Jorge “Koke” the outcome, it should be an emotional Resurreccion said after the first leg. “You game for the home crowd at the Calderon. never know what’s going to happen in soc- Atletico will be playing its last European cer, just ask Paris Saint-Germain. We are game at the stadium before moving into a going to keep fighting.” The Spanish teams new venue next season. Atletico has won remain very similar to what they looked like 29 of its last 35 European games at home, in that encounter in 2015. At the time, with only two losses. It hasn’t lost in 10 Atletico was already touted as the third straight home games in European competi- MANAMA: A member of staff walks towards the building hosting the AFC, Asian Football Confederation Congress 2017, in Manama. The specter force in Spanish soccer under Diego tions. “The fans have always been with us in of fresh corruption scandals hangs over the annual gathering of world soccer leaders, two years after the FIFA Congress was shaken by the Simeone, and three of the goals scored on the most difficult moments and it’s not exposure of far-reaching fraud. — AP that cold day in the Spanish capital came going to be any different this time,” Niguez from players still on the team - Tiago said. “We have to give everything we have Cardoso, Saul Niguez and Antoine for them.”— AP Griezmann. FIFA’s uphill struggle to The other goal was scored by Mario Mandzukic, who now plays for Juventus. A repeat of that performance would be just Matches on TV what Atletico needs this time. It was in con- (Local Timings) regain trust, sponsors trol from the start and scored early goals to take a 2-0 lead by the 17th minute, then UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MANAMA: Even after a year under new leader- added the third not long after halftime and Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid 21:45 ship, FIFA is still pleading with the world: Trust closed the scoring a few minutes from the beIN SPORTS HD 1 end. A 3-0 win by Atletico today would us. The message is proving as hard to sell as send the game into extra time and, possi- ENGLISH sponsorship of the World Cup. It’s no wonder. bly, a penalty shootout. arrives at his second congress Southampton v Arsenal 21:45 Madrid had nine starters in 2015 who as FIFA president with his “crisis is over” declara- beIN SPORTS HD 2 are still on the current team, including Toni tion at last year’s gathering of soccer’s 211 nations looking remarkably outlandish. Criminal investigations are still exposing shady transac- tions. The suitability of members of the ruling council remains in doubt. Reforms intended to curb the powers of the president and restore FIFA’s credibility are being eroded. Against this backdrop, FIFA has been trying to persuade commercial backers to sign up after so many were scared off by the corruption that plagued the era. FIFA’s leadership The 24th Boeing 787 airplane purchased by Qatar Airways is photographed, during a delivery was able to start its congress week in Bahrain by ceremony in Everett, Wash. FIFA has signed up Qatar Airways as a sponsor through 2022 when trumpeting the arrival of Qatar Airways to fill the the World Cup is staged in the Gulf nation. — AP airline sponsorship category that has been emailing was banned for life by the FIFA ethics ethics investigation, and the claims against vacant for more than two years. But the deal was committee in January for involvement in unethi- Sheikh Ahmad will also be scrutinized. But the anticipated given it is the state-owned carrier of cal payments made to soccer officials. “If it’s your fate of the independent ethics officials who have the 2022 World Cup hosts. A true test of the idea, take it, give it,” Ahmad responded vaguely convicted corrupt FIFA officials is also uncertain. confidence of FIFA’s new hierarchy will come when asked about the payments today. “Ask There has been speculation that Hans-Joachim when major international corporations sign up him. Don’t ask me.” FIFA has lost two officials Eckert, the ethics judge who brought down that are not from China, Russia or Qatar - the recently following fresh American revelations Blatter, could be replaced along with ethics source of all of FIFA’s new World Cup deals in about wrongdoing. FIFA audit committee mem- investigator Cornel Borbely. recent years. New sponsors in traditional strong- ber Richard Lai, an American citizen from Guam, They must seek re-election at Thursday’s con- holds like Japan and the United States have yet pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy charges gress but FIFA has repeatedly declined to pro- to convince shareholders they should partner related to taking around $1 million in bribes vide lists of candidates to lead its judicial bodies. with a scandal-tainted organization. Many were including at least $850,000 from Kuwaiti officials. Infantino is suspected of a personal motive to MADRID: Real Madrid’s Nacho Fernandez (left) and Sergio Ramos (right) fall in front scared off in 2015 when FIFA’s reputation was The cash was to buy influence and help recruit install new ethics leadership, although he hasn’t of Isco during a training session in Madrid yesterday. Real Madrid will play against shredded by widespread bribery being exposed other Asian soccer officials prepared to take called for Eckert and Borbely to go. The former Atletico Madrid today in a Champions League semifinal, 2nd leg soccer match. —AP after high-ranking executives were arrested in bribes, Lai said in court in New York. UEFA general secretary was frustrated that he Zurich hotel raids. “We hope that more (spon- Kuwaiti powerbroker Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad faced an ethics investigation last year for his use sors) will come before the end of the year,” FIFA Al Sabah was implicated in the investigation of private jets early in his presidency. The case secretary general said. “That was and, despite maintaining his innocence, he quit cast doubt over the “new era” in FIFA proclaimed appoints a strong signal from Qatar Airways to recognize the election to regain his seat on the FIFA last year by Infantino. The old FIFA ways contin- the new leadership of FIFA is working toward Council this week. Lai is under a formal FIFA ue to seem hard to shake off.— AP restoring the image of FIFA and that there is cli- as coach mate of trust that is really here to push for more partnerships.” Trust, according to Samoura, also : Dick Advocaat was appointed guaranteed a place at the World Cup. The comes through a new generation of officials Wenger determined Netherlands coach yesterday with the vastly experienced Advocaat has previously being elected to the FIFA Council. tough task of leading the struggling team coached Russia, Belgium and Serbia, as well “It’s a strong demonstration that gender to next year’s World Cup in Russia. With the as club teams including PSV , empowerment,” Samoura said, pointing to to retain full control Dutch national team languishing in fourth Glasgow Rangers, Zenit St Petersburg and of Bangladesh being elected on place in Group A, the Royal Dutch Football Sunderland. Gullit, a former Chelsea coach, Tuesday as Asia’s female representative at FIFA. It LONDON: Arsene Wenger has ruled out work- know what director of football means. Is it Association appointed Advocaat as coach captained the Netherlands to its only major was a surprise result. Moya Dodd, an outspoken ing alongside a director of football if he stays somebody who stands in the road and directs and as his assistant for the tournament success, the 1988 European critic of corruption and prominent champion of at Arsenal, saying he must have full control of play right and left? I don’t understand and I remainder of the qualifying campaign. If Championship. women’s football, lost to Akhter, who couldn’t the Premier League club. The Frenchman’s never did understand what it means.” they manage to get the team to Russia, Advocaat’s predecessor, Blind, name the Women’s World Cup holder in a post- hardline stance puts him on a potential colli- Wenger previously said that he had made they will stay in charge for the tournament, was fired in March after the Dutch lost to election interview. American soccer stars Alex sion course with members of the Arsenal hier- up his mind about his future and would federation technical director Hans van Bulgaria in a 2018 World Cup qualifier. Van Morgan and Carli Lloyd were among those to archy who reportedly want to bring in a direc- announce it in March or April, but no Breukelen said. Advocaat was not present Breuken said the hunt for a replacement express surprise at the setback for Dodd, an tor of football this summer to work with announcement was forthcoming. His Arsenal at a news conference to announce his focused on finding somebody “who can Australian lawyer who is still on the Asian Wenger. Wenger has called the shots at the contract expires at the end of this season and appointment; he will remain with his cur- increase discipline in the (players’) group Football Confederation executive committee. north London club since he joined in 1996 and while a fresh deal is reportedly on the table, rent club, Fenerbahce, until the end of the and bring back the joy to our play.” Joy has “I’m sure she will land on her feet somehow in said he had no interest in having his authority some Arsenal fans have called for his head Turkish league season. been in short supply for the three-time football,” said Samoura, who was hired last year diminished, even as his future remains mired after a disappointing run that saw them The 69-year-old Advocaat, who was World Cup runner-up since the team’s form as FIFA’s first female secretary general. “She has in uncertainty and with the fans restless. “I’m humiliated in the Champions League to appointed for his third stint in charge of the went into free fall after reaching the semifi- football in her heart and I’m sure that FIFA or the manager of Arsenal Football Club and as Bayern Munich and fall out of the Premier national team, won praise in 2015 for sav- nals of the World Cup in Brazil. Van another confederation or her home federation long as I’m manager of Arsenal Football Club, I League top four. Asked if he would now reveal ing Sunderland from relegation in the Breukelen conceded that the search for a will continue to make good use of her skills.” will decide what happens on the technical his decision over whether to sign the contract, Premier League and will need a similar new coach was tough, with some possible Those skills were used by a reform committee in front, that’s it,” Wenger, 67, said on the eve of he replied simply: “No.” escape to avoid the Netherlands missing its candidates unavailable or unwilling. 2015 that helped to reshape FIFA following the today’s league match at Southampton.”I don’t second straight major tournament after last Everton coach and former US Department of Justice indictments of soccer WENGER SURPRISED year’s European Championship in France. Ajax coach were both identi- officials. The progress of some reforms, however, Arsenal are in danger of failing to qualify The Netherlands is six points behind Group fied as possible successors shortly after appears to have stalled - despite Infantino help- for the Champions League for the first time in A leader France. Only the group winner is Blind was fired.— AP ing to draft them in the FIFA-appointed advisory Wenger’s long reign, even though Sunday’s 2- panel while he was a presidential candidate. 0 win over Manchester United moved them to Power should have drained from the presi- within six points of fourth-placed Manchester Palace-Hull game bigger dency to the CEO-like secretary general, but City with a game in hand. While the Premier Infantino has retained a Blatter-like grip on exec- League and Europe has been a source of frus- utive authority. A new FIFA Bureau that was not tration, Arsenal will contest their third FA Cup than cup final: Allardyce on the reform program now has given more final in four seasons later this month, while authority to Infantino and the six regional con- Sunday’s success saw Wenger at last get the LONDON: Crystal Palace’s Premier League Allardyce said that his players’ mental federation leaders, whose decisions need not be better of Jose Mourinho at the 13th attempt. game against Hull City on Sunday is mas- strength is key to getting past the final two ratified by a 37-strong council that replaced the “It gives us still a chance to go into the top sive and “bigger than a cup final” as both games of the season. “Put your best game discredited executive committee. “That can be four,” said Wenger. Former United defender teams fight to avoid the drop, manager in your mind for the rest of the week and the appearance,” CONCACAF President Victor Phil Neville criticised the cordial way players has said. An impressive run say to yourself on a daily basis, ‘that is what Montagliani said, “but I think the collaborations from both sides were seen joking and hugging in April saw Palace climb to 12th in the I am going to produce’,” Allardyce added. at the council level and the discussions are quite each other before kick-off, a far cry from the table but three consecutive defeats, includ- “Mindful rehearsal is very important. If the healthy. The bureau is there to act in between frosty atmosphere that pervaded his own ing last Saturday’s 5-0 loss to Manchester players get positive thinking right from the when the council meets. If there are decisions encounters with the Gunners. “I think I under- City has left them at 16th, four points start of the week, it will help them with a that are needed on a timely basis for operational stand that the pundits are a bit surprised by above 18th-placed Hull, with two games nervy state of affairs.” issues they have to be made.” that because 10 or 15 years ago that did not left to play. A draw at home against Hull West Ham United left Tottenham The most recent addition to the bureau and exist,” Wenger said. will ensure safety for Palace but a loss will Hotspur’s title hopes in tatters with a shock council is Ahmad Ahmad, who ended Issa “But it is an overall, international thing now. leave their fate hanging till the last day of 1-0 win last week and they have now set Hayatou’s 29-year grip on power in Africa in “You can watch Real Madrid against the season, when they travel to fifth-placed their sights on derailing Liverpool’s top- March. But the FIFA vice president has unwel- Barcelona-it’s the same because people play Manchester United. “The game is bigger four bid, defender Jose Fonte said. West come links to the tainted old regime. Email cor- together, come from the same country.”I was than a cup final,” Allardyce told British Ham are currently 12th but have the same respondence between Ahmad and an aide to surprised as well I must say, but I must confess media. “Because at stake is everyone’s sta- number of points (42) as both disgraced former FIFA presidential candidate as well that it doesn’t stop the players to focus tus in the Premier League. Southampton (10th) and Bournemouth Mohamed bin Hammam of Qatar was published LONDON: Arsenal’s French manager and concentrate after on the game.” Arsenal, “You are part of one of the biggest (11th), though Southampton have played by British newspaper The Sunday Times in 2014. Arsene Wenger (left) and his assistant beaten 4-0 by Southampton in last season’s sporting brands in the world. It keeps the two games less. West Ham did the double The emails from 2010 detailed Ahmad remind- Steve Bould watch from their seats during corresponding fixture at St Mary’s, travel to club buoyant and the south London area over Liverpool last season and drew 2-2 at ing Bin Hammam that he promised money to the English Premier League football match the south coast with a fitness doubt over active and live. “So it is a massive game for Anfield in December, and Fonte said they help Ahmad’s re-election campaign to lead the between Arsenal and Manchester United Laurent Koscielny after the defender suffered us all, and our players have to hold their were going all out to continue their run Madagascar federation. on May 7, 2017. -— AFP a calf injury against United.— AFP nerve and produce a massive performance.” against the Merseyside club. —Agencies The Bin Hammam aide who Ahmad was