Francesco Totti at 40: Tribute to Totti
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FOOTBALL | Page 4 TENNIS | Page 10 Messi, Bolt Kerber survives pay tribute scare in her To Advertise here to Roma fi rst match as Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 ‘legend’ Totti number one Wednesday, September 28, 2016 GOLF Dhul-Hijja 26, 1437 AH Ryder Cup extra GULF TIMES special for McIlroy under captain Clarke SPORT Page 9 SPOTLIGHT Asian congress scrapped aft er FIFA protest vote ‘This has been an eventful morning — and an eventful few weeks. But the congress has spoken with one voice and that has been clear for us all to see. FIFA president, Gianni Infantino... I think you can see the strength of opinion in the room’ AFP Panaji n Asian football congress was scrapped after just 20 min- utes yesterday as members rejected its agenda in protest Aat FIFA barring a Qatari offi cial from elections to its powerful new council. Asian Football Confederation (AFC) delegates flew from all over the region to a luxury hotel in Goa, India to elect three new members to the FIFA Council, only for the extraordi- nary congress to be declared closed after just 20 minutes. The 42-1 vote against adopting the congress’s agenda will be seen as a re- buke to FIFA president Gianni Infan- tino, who was among those present at the short-lived gathering. “This has been an eventful morn- ing — and an eventful few weeks,” said AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Eb- rahim al-Khalifah, who stood against Infantino in FIFA polls in February. “But the congress has spoken with one voice and that has been clear for us all to see. “FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, I am not sure if you have been at a short- er congress but I think you can see the strength of opinion in the room.” Various delegates told AFP that the agenda was rejected because a senior offi cial from Qatar, hosts of the 2022 World Cup, had been barred from standing for the FIFA Council. Scandal-plagued FIFA’s ethics com- mittee last month recommended a two-and-a-half-year ban for Saoud al- Mohannadi, vice-president of the Qatar Football Association, for refusing to co- operate with a corruption investigation. Mohannadi denies any wrongdo- ing and had initially been cleared to stand, before the AFC announced late Members of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) hold up ‘NO’ voting cards during the AFC Extraordinary Congress in Goa yesterday. Members voted 42 to one against supporting the agenda at the meeting. on Sunday that he’d been ruled out of the process by FIFA. executive committee meeting, according AFC general secretary Windsor John ing for three seats on the FIFA Council, Ahkter of Bangladesh and North Ko- When people fi le nominations I think FIFA has not revealed the subject to an AFC statement. told reporters that postponing the which was set up under anti-corrup- rea’s Han Un-Gyong to be the AFC’s at that stage it’s better if they know of the corruption inquiry, but it is not “Football in Asia is united and that congress “was a clear message with tion reforms earlier this year in a bid designated female representative. whether they are going to be able to connected with allegations related to is down to you — the members — and I one voice”. for greater transparency. Praful Patel, president of the All In- contest or not,” he added. Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup. thank you for sending out such a strong “The executive committee just de- Three male candidates — Zhang Jian dia Football Federation, said he wished FIFA boss Infantino has promised message that we stand united.” cided that we will convene a new ex- of China, Iran’s Ali Kafashian Naeni the election had been handled diff er- a clean-up of FIFA after a series of ‘CLEAR MESSAGE’ According to offi cials, it will be traordinary congress after we have and Zainudin Nordin of Singapore — ently. “It was not the right way to go corruption scandals and bribery al- “Today the AFC and Asian football has months before another congress is held, checked all the timelines with FIFA and were set to compete for two of the seats about things. I wish this process had legations plunged the body into crisis shown solidarity and unity. The message with the AFC needing to give at least 30 with our statutes,” he said. in Tuesday’s vote. been done much earlier,” he told AFP. and left senior offi cials including ex- has been clear to everyone both inside days’ notice and FIFA also taking up to Six candidates from Asia, including Former Australian footballer Moya “It’s only fair that elections take president Sepp Blatter banned from and outside Asia,” Sheikh Salman told an four months to approve candidates. China and North Korea, were stand- Dodd was favourite to beat Mahfuza place in a way that is fair and just. football. AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL Al Ain in driving seat aft er 3-1 win over El Jaish AFC what could prove to be a vital away that Douglas strained to head home. come in the second half as the Qataris Al Ain goal, although Caio’s late third for Al Al Ain were in total control and their pulled themselves back into the game. Ain puts the 2003 champions in the dominance reaped the reward it de- Seydou Keita and Rashidov both threat- driving seat going into next month’s served in the 21st minute when Omar ened before Isamil Ahmad’s handball in mar Abdulrahman was in in- second leg. Abdulrahman doubled his side’s lead the 51st minute had referee Peter Green spirational form as former Al Ain started with Colombian wing- with an exquisite free kick that curled pointing to the spot and Uzbek interna- winners Al Ain moved a step er Danilo Asprilla on the bench and and dipped over the defensive wall tional Rashidov confi dently converted. closer to the fi nal of the 2016 Mohamed Abdulrahman on the left, from 25 yards out to give Ababacar no Asprilla, on in place of Mohamed OAFC Champions League yesterday but it was the elder Abdulrahman who chance. And with seven minutes to go Abdulrahman in the second half, found evening with a 3-1 victory over Qatar’s was the diff erence between the sides as in the half, Caio went close to adding a the side netting and Douglas was de- El Jaish in the fi rst leg of their semi- Omar impressed yet again. third before shooting just wide. nied by Ababacar in the fi nal 10 min- fi nal at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. HIs 10th minute free kick was fum- utes as Al Ain sought to restore their The United Arab Emirates midfi elder, bled by El Jaish goalkeeper Khalifa Aba- SECOND-HALF COMEBACK two-goal cushion, and with the game in seeking to steer Al Ain to the fi nal of the bacar, almost allowing Caio to open the El Jaish struggled throughout the injury time they fi nally claimed a third continental championship for fi rst time scoring only for the Brazilian to snatch opening 45 minutes but, on the stroke when Omar Abdulrahman’s ball into since 2005, set up Douglas to score with at his shot and fi re high over the bar. of halftime, Sabri Lamouchi’s side al- the centre was fumbled by Ababacar a header before netting with a fi ne free Six minutes later, though, Al Ain most pulled themselves back into the and Caio converted from close range. kick inside the fi rst 21 minutes as Zlatko were in front. Omar Abdulrahman game through Romarinho, only for the Jaish will now have to hope for a Dalic’s team took command of the tie. surged into the penalty area, taking the Brazilian’s curling free kick to come strong start during the return leg in Sardor Rashidov’s 52nd minute pen- Al Ain’s Omar Abdulrahman ball to the bye-line before standing up back off the woodwork. Doha. That match will be held on Oc- alty kept El Jaish in the contest with a cross at the far post with his left foot That, though, was a sign of things to tober 18. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, September 28, 2016 FOOTBALL SPOTLIGHT Qatar football player Serigne Abdou succumbs to cancer 1995 - 2016 I believe Qatar can still qualify for Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla had visited the late Serigne Abdou (R) in London where he was being treated Qatar football player Serigne Abdou succumbed to cancer yesterday. The 21-year-old was a part of the Qatar youth team, having come through the ranks at the Aspire Academy. Abdou 2018 WC: Fossati was also a part of the Qatar Stars League Al Khor side. Qatar national team coach Jorge Fossati expressed his sadness at the loss of such a young player. “I am very sad about this news. It’s ‘If I did not believe in this team’s chances then I would have told QFA that it’s not very sad to know that a very young player has passed away,” said possible. The players need someone who will get them to believe that it’s possible’ Fossati during the press conference yesterday. OPINION Asian boss says Qatar too soon for 40-team World Cup AFP teams from 32 to 40 but it’s still I Panaji think a bit early,” Sheikh Salman told AFP in Goa, India. “We have to look to see if it sia’s football chief makes sense and if it’s benefi - yesterday said he was cial for us and for everyone, then against expanding the why not? World Cup from 32 to “I don’t think it will be done A40 teams when Qatar hosts the in time for Qatar.