Americans Held, Japan Through
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SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 2015 SPORTS Interpol ditches FIFA deal as corruption scandal deepens PARIS: Interpol suspended a 20-million- Interpol is the wider perception that con- “We were like brothers. I realise that I decision to sign off on a $10 million pay- should be based on the “size and sporting euro ($22 million) sports “integrity” agree- flicted organisations are now deserting should not have put so much confidence ment at the centre of the U.S. bribery relevance” of its member federations. ment with FIFA on Friday, at the end of FIFA. It further exacerbates FIFA’s ‘unclean’ in him because he made me do the wrong investigation. At present, each of FIFA’s 209 members testing week for soccer’s scandal-hit ruling image and its escalating isolation,” said thing and I was doing it very innocently. I Brandishing his pen, a clearly irritated has a vote, giving soccer power-houses body that saw its chief spokesman quit, Chris Eaton, an ex-Interpol officer and for- knew nothing about those things,” Camps Valcke demanded of journalists: “You want Germany and Brazil the same influence as bidding for the 2026 World Cup shelved mer FIFA adviser on anti-corruption, now told Channel 4 News. Warner has denied me to take this pen and to hit my head tiny Pacific islands. and records seized from its Zurich head- with the International Center for Sport all charges levelled against him. He was and say ‘Hey! I have been stupid, I should Soccer chiefs in developing countries, quarters. Security. not immediately available for comment. have asked many more questions?’” who have enjoyed generous funding to FIFA also faced growing calls-this time Interpol’s decision was a disappoint- Channel 4 News said Camps, Caribbean “You have decided that after Blatter I promote the game from FIFA during from the European parliament-for its out- ment, FIFA said, since the 2011 “integrity in soccer’s finance committee chairman, had have to be next head to be cut?” Valcke Blatter’s 17 years in power, denounced the going president, Sepp Blatter, to step sport” programme was not connected to signed cheques worth millions of dollars told a news conference. On Thursday, plan as unfair and racist. aside at once, while plans by Germany to the “current issues” it faced. on Warner’s behalf, which were supposed Communications director Walter de The South American confederation reform the way the organisation is run The corruption scandal erupted when to finance Trinidad’s team in the 2006 Gregorio, the public face of the soccer CONMEBOL meanwhile came under pres- were roundly rejected by soccer chiefs in police descended on a luxury hotel in World Cup in Germany. It said he was still body, resigned after telling a joke at the sure of its own when Congress in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Zurich on May 27 and arrested seven FIFA signing the cheques three years after the expense of his employers on Swiss televi- Paraguay, where the soccer body is based, Caribbean. officials, pending extradition to the United World Cup ended. sion. approved a measure withdrawing immu- Interpol’s decision to freeze funding States. It has been another bleak week for “The FIFA president, secretary general nity from its Asuncion headquarters. from FIFA to fight match fixing and illegal At the centre of the investigation are FIFA. On Wednesday, FIFA postponed the and media director are sitting in a car. A draft bill to remove the immunity was gambling was perhaps inevitable, coming transactions that went into accounts held bidding for the right to host the 2026 Who’s driving. Answer? The police.” put to Congress last month after U.S. only days after the international police in a bank in Trinidad in the name of CON- World Cup, with Secretary General Jerome Despite announcing his resignation, authorities announced indictments of 14 organisation put two former FIFA officials CACAF, the Confederation of North, Valcke saying during a visit to Russia that it Blatter has remained at his desk, saying he past and present senior soccer officials on its most-wanted list and the corruption Central America and Caribbean would be “nonsense” to start the process wants to usher in reforms at FIFA before and sports media executives connected to crisis in world soccer deepened. Association Football, that were “controlled” under present circumstances. his successor is chosen. FIFA announced FIFA. “There is an urgent need to repeal The increasing damage to FIFA’s reputa- by former FIFA Vice President Jack Warner. Then, perhaps reflecting the growing that would happen at an election some- this law and get on with the investigation,” tion raised questions about how long oth- In an interview with British television, crisis, the usually composed Valcke unbur- time between December and February. Senator Juan Carlos Galaverna said during er associated bodies and even sponsors Oliver Camps, described as Warner’s right- dened himself of an emotional tirade, say- The German Football Association a debate over the measure, which is would continue to work with it. hand man, said he felt “used and abused” ing he was being destroyed by the media meanwhile came up with a radical reform expected to be signed into law by “The real damage of this decision by by his old friend and associate. in his native France and defending his plan under which FIFA’s voting structure President Horacio Cartes. —Reuters Herrera bemoans Mexico’s ‘bitter pill’ VINA DEL MAR: Mexico coach Miguel just past the other post. Herrera was clearly Herrera watched in frustration and anger as boiling as Mexico failed to get a grip on the his side failed to break down minnows game in the second half. Midfielder Jesus Bolivia in a Copa America encounter Friday Corona blasted the ball wide of the goal that ended in a goalless draw. from close range when Matias Vuoso was Herrera called the 0-0 result a “bitter pill”. well placed in the goal area. But he was lucky his side did not concede a Juan Carlos Medina wasted a shot from killer goal in game that left hosts Chile in the edge of the penalty area but Mexico charge of Group A after their 2-0 win over had their best chance when winger Jesus Ecuador on the opening day of the South ‘Tecatico’ Corona put in a perfect cross for American championship. Herrera chided Vicente Vuoso. The Argentina-born striker his side-weakened by the absence of star headed at the front post and watched the players such as Javier ‘Chicharito’ ball go past the far post before burying his Hernandez, Carlos Vela and Giovani dos head in his hands. With time running out, Santos-from the touchline as they failed to the Mexican coach had to be pulled back break down the world 89th ranked from the touchline when his side were Bolivians. refused a penalty when Aquino appeared He erupted at Paraguayan referee to be pulled down by Leonel Morales. Enrique Caceres for not awarding a penalty “If you come to a tournament like the when Javier Aquino, Mexico’s most effec- Copa America you have to go out and win tive player, appeared to be brought down so this result was a bitter pill as we wanted in the 79th minute. three points,” said Herrera. Herrera brought a weakened squad to “We had the chances but did not take the Copa America as he is saving energy for them and when that happens it is not a the Gold Cup in the United States next good performance.” He said Mexico’s game month. But he still insists that Mexico, 29th against Chile in Santiago on Monday would in the FIFA rankings, are in Chile to win be like “a final.” games. Bolivia looked vulnerable when With each team having played a game, under pressure but surprised their stronger Chile lead Group A on three points, Bolivia opponents on the counter attack and had and Mexico follow on one point while WINNIPEG: Sweden’s Lina Nilsson (16) hauls down United States’ Sydney Leroux (2) during second-half FIFA Women’s World Cup soccer game. —AP three outstanding first half chances. Ecuador are bottom with no points. Lionel In the 14th minute, Ricard Pedriel flicked Messi’s Argentina enter the tournament on a low cross by Swedish based defender Saturday when they take on Group B rivals Marti Smedberg-Dalence onto the post. Paraguay in La Serena. Just before the break, Jhasmani Campos Defending champions Uruguay play Americans held, fired a left foot shot that Mexico goalkeep- Caribbean side Jamaica, who received a er Jose Jesus Corona just tipped past the special invitation to the tournament with post. From the resulting corner, veteran Mexico, in the day’s other match in Bolivian defender Ronald Raldes headed Antofagasta. —AFP Japan through Women’s World Cup WINNIPEG: Sweden held the United States to a scoreless draw at the Women’s World Cup on Friday, providing a good result for the Swedes and their coach Pia Sundhage, who used to be in charge of the American team. The United States was a point clear atop Group D, ahead of Australia which beat Nigeria 2-0. Defending champion Japan became the first team to confirm its place in the last 16 after a 2-1 victory over Cameroon while the other Group C game saw Switzerland rout Ecuador 10-1. The Americans were chasing a win which would have assured a place in the knockout stages but could not break down the well-drilled Swedes. The U.S came close to scoring when veteran striker Abby Wambach headed on goal in the 72nd minute but the bouncing shot was tipped over the crossbar by Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.