THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2017 SPORTS Homophobia permeates football world in Spain

MADRID: Death threats and insults: bisexual and transgender rights. eral months ago, LaLiga boss Javier image,” the 22-year-old says. initiative seeking to specifically include Homophobia remains omnipresent in But homosexuality remains a taboo Tebas said that the league “would not gays and lesbians in a law against intol- Spain’s sacred football world, where in the professional football world. “With allow any bad-mouthing from a co-play- SPAIN BEHIND erance in sports has yet to be adopted. players don’t dare “come out” in an oth- around eight percent of the population er, the public, the media” if a footballer Homophobic insults are common in “The sporting world will gradually erwise gay friendly country whose capi- gay and lesbian, it’s not normal at all revealed he was gay. Spain’s stadiums, used to discredit oppo- progress, but it will still take many years,” tal hosts the WorldPride until July 2. that there are no overtly gay players,” The clubs also promise they would nents regardless of their alleged or real says Tomillero. “First, they refused to take their says Paco Ramirez, president of Spain’s support any player wanting to come out. sexual orientation. Several generations Some recent initiatives have had an showers with me,” says Jose Manuel Observatory against Homophobia. “If someone wants to freely express his of players have been at the receiving echo. In 2015, some players started lac- Garoz, who was sidelined from his ama- He believes this is because they fear it homosexuality, there is no constraint in end, from Spain’s former midfielder Guti ing their football boots with rainbow teur local team in his teens when his co- will “affect their career”. our club,” a management source at FC to Real Madrid’s star striker Cristiano laces-the colour of the LGBT cause. players found out he was gay via social “For a player to dare come out under Barcelona told AFP. And Atletico Ronaldo, as well as coach Pep Guardiola. One of the shirts worn by players of networks. “They provoked me all the these circumstances, there is no assur- Madrid’s French star Antoine Griezmann The rival is a “maricon” (“faggot”), Madrid’s Rayo Vallecano, now in Spain’s time and we argued. We came to blows ance that sponsors won’t drop him,” told men’s magazine Icon: “If I were whoever he may be. “Why don’t we con- second division, sports a rainbow- and the president decided to kick me adds Julien Pontes of the French Rouge homosexual, I would say so. Even if it’s demn this? The referee doesn’t write it coloured strip to fight discrimination. out,” the young man, now 22, remem- Direct collective, which fights homopho- easier to say this when you’re not.” up in his match report. There is inaction And since 2016, LaLiga publishes a bers as he stands next to a football pitch bia in football. But despite this, no player has taken from all those involved in the sport,” says guide recommending “zero tolerance” of where he now plays in a “gay-friendly” that step. “In the football world, homo- Ruben Lopez, in charge of sporting discrimination. But Spain is nevertheless Madrid club, GMadrid Sports. ‘HOMOPHOBIA IS EVERYWHERE’ phobia is everywhere,” says Jesus issues at the Spanish LGBT Federation. still behind compared to countries in A world leader in LGBT rights, Spain Spanish sporting authorities say they Tomillero, a referee who has been the In 2016, Spain’s interior ministry western and northern Europe, activists became the third country to authorise are fighting discrimination. victim of death threats for denouncing reported 92 “hate crimes”-including say. “Did the laces have a real impact in gay marriage in 2005 and Madrid is now Every weekend, for instance, Spain’s homophobic insults aimed at him. homophobic acts-committed in sport- the football world?”, asks Lopez. “We hosting the WorldPride, one of the national football league LaLiga details “People think that football is for ing facilities. Acts targeting LGBT are not don’t know. In any case people in stadi- biggest celebrations of lesbian, gay, all insults shouted in stadiums. Just sev- machos, that a gay man can dirty this counted separately and a parliamentary ums continue to shout ‘maricon’.” — AFP

SOCCER says Garcia Report ‘vindicates’ 2022 bid

DOHA: Qatar World Cup organisers said yester- an associate as the proceeds from a real estate day that the surprise publication of FIFA’s Garcia deal. But Garcia concluded that no proof existed Report “vindicated the integrity” of its successful to link Qatar to the payment. bid to host the 2022 tournament. Rosell, an ex-Barcelona president, is currently In a statement, the Supreme Committee for in prison under investigation for money laun- Delivery & Legacy also questioned the timing of dering related to the sale of the Brazilian nation- the publication, which comes as Qatar faces al football team’s television rights. political isolation from many neighbouring Garcia’s investigation also revealed that one countries. “We believe that the extent of our former FIFA executive committee member cooperation with this investigation and the con- thanked Qatar by mail for a transfer of several clusions drawn represent a vindication of the hundred thousand euros just after Qatar was integrity of our bid,” read the statement. awarded the 2022 tournament. “We will continue to dedicate ourselves And it also documents that three executive toward delivering on the promises we made members of FIFA were flown to Rio de Janeiro during our bid and hosting an historic first FIFA for a private party ahead of the vote to decide World Cup in the Middle East.” who would host the 2022 World Cup. Although the long-awaited report from US Garcia’s report was commissioned in 2012 independent investigator Michael Garcia high- and presented to FIFA in 2014. Following his Chairman of the two chambers of the new lighted an array of potentially suspect financial investigation, the adjudicatory chamber of FIFA’s FIFA Ethics Committee Michael Garcia dealings, there appeared to be no “smoking gun” ethics committee said there was not enough evi- which could end up denying Qatar the World dence to call into question Qatar’s hosting of the the leak”, which comes at a time of high political Cup in five years’ time. 2022 World Cup. FIFA-which had previously only tension in the Gulf. His report referred to a payment of £2 million published a 40-page summary of the report Countries led by Saudi Arabia announced ($2.6 million) allegedly sent by a consultant for finally made the document public after it was earlier this month the suspension of ties with Qatar, Sandro Rosell, to the 10-year-old daughter obtained by German newspaper Bild. Qatar’s Qatar, accusing it of support for extremist of a FIFA official. The payment was described by statement added that “we question the timing of groups-a claim Doha denies. —AFP

Russians hit by PREVIEW fresh doping Penalty kings Germany

MADRID: This is a Sunday, May 22, 2016 file photo of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, carry- allegations confident against Mexico ing his son, poses for a photo with his girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo as they cele- brate after winning the final of the Copa del Rey soccer match between FC Barcelona BERLIN: Russian football was the target of fresh SOCHI: Germany are the kings of the the past, then make a decision,” added and Sevilla FC at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid. —AP doping allegations yesterday with claims of penalty shoot-out-but the world champi- Loew. The Germans expect a battle royal ons hope to see off Mexico in today’s against Mexico’s come-back kings. The widespread urine sample tampering levelled by Confederations Cup semi-final without Mexicans came from behind in all three of Lionel Messi tying the knot Richard McLaren, author of an explosive report needing dreaded spot kicks. The Germans their group matches, beating both New into Russian doping. have won all five penalty shoot-outs they Zealand and 2-1 after drawing 2-2 with childhood sweetheart The Canadian lawyer told German TV channel have faced since 1976 at either World Cup with Portugal, when they twice equalised. ARD he had fresh evidence indicating that posi- finals or European championships. “It will be aggressive in a positive sense, tive tests taken from Russian players were BUENOS AIRES: There is a different side to Roccuzzo eventually moved to Joachim Loew’s team face the Mexicans in it is how they have been playing for years,” Lionel Messi, one that not everyone gets to Barcelona, where the couple have two swopped with clean samples. Sochi for a place in Sunday’s Confed Cup said Loew. “They hunt the ball with all their see. The player who shines with the ball by boys, 4-year-old Thiago and 1-year-old McLaren said the World Anti-Doping Agency final in St Petersburg against either players and when they have it, they play it his feet appears to be extremely shy off the Mateo. “I’m a normal person. I have the had seized 155 samples from 2018 World Cup Portugal or Chile, who meet later in Kazan’s deep quickly.” Mexico coach Juan Carlos field. But the timid-looking Argentina star, same life as any human being,” Messi said in hosts Russia for re-testing, with FIFA kept other semi-final. Osorio, who has chopped and changed his who for years has been attracting the an interview with ESPN before the 2014 informed. Having won their Confed Cup group, side so far, will be without suspended cap- world’s attention because of his mind-bog- World Cup. “When I finish playing, I have According to WADA’s special anti-doping Germany are on a 13-match unbeaten run, tain Andres Guardado. Loew has promised gling soccer skills, is an outgoing, cheerful my family, my friends. I live like any other investigator an exchange of emails between dating back just under a year to their Euro changes with forward Lars Stindl, who has 2016 semi-final defeat to hosts France. scored twice so far in Russia, expected to and humorous character when he is among person.” Even before Messi turned into one high-ranking Russian officials dating back to Left-back Jonas Hector said Germany’s return along with left-back Hector. With those he knows and trusts. of the best players in the world, he was 2015 detailed the urine sample swop scam. It’s the lighthearted and extroverted already the type of person who kept to young guns have not yet practised spot- Manuel Neuer missing the Confed Cup He told ARD: “We have some information kicks and hope to beat Mexico over the 90 after foot surgery, Loew says Barcelona’s version of Messi that will be the center of himself and avoided the spotlight but where there’s reference to trying to find a sam- attention on Friday in his hometown of opened up in the company of friends and minutes. “We would like to avoid this situa- Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be Germany’s ple which would be suitable possibly for swap- Rosario when he marries 29-year-old relatives. tion (penalties),” admitted Hector. goalkeeper for the rest of the tournament. Antonella Roccuzzo, his childhood sweet- People close to Messi and some of his ping that gives rise to a suspicion that there is a “We haven’t specifically trained for it Mexico’s all-time top-scorer Javier heart and mother of his two children. former teammates say he is just a normal bank of clean samples somewhere, not in the and we’ll take it as it comes.” Nevertheless, Hernandez knows all about German foot- The wedding is a highly anticipated guy, talkative and often joking. The serious- lab, maintained by somebody, and that it’s being the Germans seem to have penalty-taking ball after two seasons with Bayer event in the central Argentine city, located looking player who rarely shows any used, with respect to footballers. in their blood. Their Under-21 team beat Leverkusen. “We know them, we know about 300 kilometers (186 miles) northwest expressions on the field or in front of the “We would conclude from what information England 4-3 on penalties on Tuesday to about the things that could make them suf- of the capital of Buenos Aires, although the cameras is nothing like “the real Messi,” we do have that there must be a different sys- book their place in Friday’s final at the fer, but we are going to focus on our team public is not expected to have any access they say. “No, no, no ...,” former Barcelona tem operating in football than the ones that we European Under-21 championships in and our tactics,” said the ex-Manchester Poland. Loew said he does not have a list United striker. to the festivities. teammate Jonathan Dos Santos said when reported on (in other sports).” About 250 guests, including some cur- asked if Messi was as shy as he appears. of his top five penalty takers. “Sometimes The Germans beat Mexico 4-3 when the McLaren fears this is “the tip of the iceberg”. the players practise after training, but you teams last met in the third-place play-off at rent and former teammates, are expected Dos Santos, in Russia with Mexico’s “We’d like to know what’s underneath the water- to attend the ceremony in a five-star hotel national soccer team at the Confederations can’t train for what will happen on the the 2005 Confed Cup in Germany. They line,” he told ARD. He says the batch of samples night,” the German coach said. “If it hap- make no secret of their confidence and that overlooks the city’s largest shanty- Cup, said that Messi always opened up taken by WADA and awaiting analysis will reveal town. Special security measures are expect- while with his teammates. “He is a great pens, I will look at the faces of my players expect to reach Sunday’s final. “I think in one of two things: “Either there’s been tamper- ed to be in place as guests begin arriving guy, just a great guy,” said Dos Santos, who after the final whistle, take into account terms of gut feeling, we’re heading to St for the event. was a teammate of Messi’s at Barcelona ing with the caps or the contents could have who is ready and who has missed them in Petersburg,” said Loew. — AFP Among those expected to attend are from 2009-14. been changed. Barcelona teammates Neymar, Luis Suarez Messi and his family recently were pho- “Or the contents haven’t been changed but and Gerard Pique. Colombian singer tographed with friends on vacation on a there may be prohibited substances in there.” Shakira, Pique’s wife, is also expected at the boat in Ibiza. Messi was seen playing with Neither FIFA nor the Russian authorities ceremony. Organizers said personal hair- his children and laughing with his friends. It accepted ARD’s invitation to respond to the alle- dressers will be available for the guests, was the same when an Uruguayan televi- gations which follow last weekend’s report in a along with entertainment services for their sion channel showed footage of Messi and British newspaper that Russia’s entire 2014 World children. About 150 journalists will be Suarez playing cards with friends, with Cup squad was under FIFA investigation for dop- allowed to cover the wedding under very Messi joking and smiling all the time. ing. The Mail on Sunday wrote that the Russian strict rules, without any direct access to the Messi, who has tattoos of both of his players are being probed by FIFA as part of a ceremony or the party. Messi and Roccuzzo children, showed a more rebellious side of broader scandal over allegations of state-backed have requested that wedding gifts come in himself recently, dying his hair blond. He the form of donations to the Leo Messi also has tattoos honoring his mother and doping in the country. Foundation. Messi is already in Rosario on Jesus. He became much more active in Russian deputy Prime Minister vacation, but hasn’t made any public social media recently, opening an blasted the report as “nonsense” and insisted appearances. He was in the city to cele- Instagram account and posting many pic- that there has never been any problem with brate his 30th birthday this week. tures of his children and some private doping in the Russian game. moments with his family. And FIFA insisted all players including all of CLOSE RELATIONSHIP “I think that on the field I’m completely the Russian squad underwent pre-competition Messi grew up in a lower-middle-class different than I am off,” Messi told Television and post-match tests in Brazil. “All of which neighborhood in Rosario along with two Publica Argentina a few years ago. The soft- resulted negative,” a spokesman for football’s brothers and a sister. Roccuzzo was the spoken Messi rarely speaks publicly and governing body said on Sunday. cousin of a close friend of Messi, and the almost never talks to the media after or McLaren’s bombshell report in 2015 uncov- two were always around each other and before games. Only a few times he has ered state-sponsored , with the shared a close relationship from a young shown up at news conferences during tour- country’s track and field team banned from the age. They stayed in touch after Messi left to naments with his club or national team. play in Spain as a teenager, and eventually Messi moved to Barcelona when he was 2016 Rio Olympics. started their relationship in the late 2000s, 13 after being diagnosed with a hormone A second report released by McLaren in SOCHI: Germany’s Joshua Kimmich exercises with the ball in Sochi, Russia, yesterday. reportedly after he returned to Argentina disorder that affected his growth. December highlighted 31 tampered doping Germany will play Mexico in a Confederations Cup semifinal soccer match scheduled following the death of one of Roccuzzo’s Barcelona offered to help him with the samples from footballers. — AFP for today in Sochi. — AP close friends in a traffic accident. treatment.—AP