SPORT

Wednesday 10 May 2017

PAGE | 25 PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 Curry sparkles as NewNe set to stage Infantino vows to Warriors seal the -backed fight racism, will deal against Jazz SuperSu Boxing League talk to Muntari Murray into Juventus see off Monaco to Madrid Open third round

Madrid reach Champions League final Reuters orld number one UEFA CHAMPIONS Andy Murray beat LEAGUE WRomanian Marius Copil 6-4 6-3 to reach the Juventus reach their third round of the Madrid second final in three Open yesterday. years and will meet The Briton made a slow Real Madrid or start against an opponent 103 Atletico Madrid in places below him in the world Cardiff on June 3. rankings but he broke Copil's serve in the 10th game to take Dani Alves created first the set and found his feet in the second after breaking at goal for Mandzukic and 3-2. scored the second. He finished off the big- serving Romanian in 83 minutes without having faced Turin a break point. AP Murray, runner up in Madrid last year to Novak ani Alves inspired Juven- Djokovic, is likely to face a real tus to a 2-1 win over test of his number one status DMonaco yesterday to send at the tournament where any- the Italian club to its second thing less than a final berth Champions League final in three will reduce his overall rank- years. ing points. Alves set up Mario Mandzu- Crowd favourite Rafael kic's opener in the 33rd minute Nadal will make his first and got on the scoresheet him- appearance at the tournament self on the stroke of halftime he has won a record four times with a fantastic volley as Juven- when he meets Italian Fabio tus swept to a 4-1 victory on Fognini on today. aggregate. World number two Djok- Kylian Mbappe scored a con- ovic will meet Nicolas solation goal in the 69th minute Almagro, who won an all- for Monaco, as Juventus Spanish affair against Tommy remained on course for the tre- Juventus' Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic (left) scores a goal past Monaco's goalkeeper Danijel Subasic during the UEFA Robredo 6-3 3-6 6-1. ble. Massimiliano Allegri's side Champions League semi-final second leg football match played at the Juventus stadium in Turin yesterday. Juventus beat is likely to secure an unprece- Monaco 2-1 and reached their second Champions League final in three years. dented sixth Serie A title on Sunday at Roma, while it is also Radamel Falcao then blasted defender Kamil Glik hooked the sparked a counter which culmi- Monaco scored when a cor- Punjab down in the Italian Cup final. over the crossbar two minutes ball clear. Subasic then did well nated in an Alves cross. Subasic ner was played short and Joao Needing to overturn a 2-0 later. to deny Mandzukic, who also parried Mandzukic's header but Moutinho put in a low cross for KKR to keep first-leg deficit, Monaco got off Juventus soaked up the sent a header wide shortly the Croatia forward prodded Mbappe to fire home from close to an aggressive start. Juventus early pressure before stepping afterward as Juventus pushed home the rebound. range. play-off survived an early scare when up a gear midway through the for the goal which would effec- Juventus doubled its tally just Real Madrid and Atletico Mbappe's shot from a tight angle half. tively end the contest. before halftime. Subasic punched Madrid meet on Wednesday for came off the inside of the far Gonzalo Higuain burst into That came shortly after the clear a corner but it fell to Alves, the other second leg match, with hopes alive post, although the teenager had the area and chipped Monaco half hour as a long throw by who volleyed it into the back of defending champion Real been flagged offside. goalkeeper Danijel Subasic, but goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon the net from outside the area. Madrid leading 3-0. Mohali IANS

ings XI Punjab stayed in contention in the Krace for play-offs with Unbeaten Lekhwiya finish as Group B leaders an upset victory over the sec- ond-placed Kolkata Knight Armstrong vas The home team struck first Lekhwiya's Youssef Msakni (left) scores Riders even as its top batsman The Peninsula through Musa as his right footed their second goal against Saudi Arabia's Al Chris Lynn's 52-ball 84 went drive from close range ended Fateh during the AFC Champions League up in smoke in an Indian Pre- three-goal blitz within a into the nets. football match played at the Abdullah bin mier League (IPL) game in span of 18 minutes paved Eleven minutes later, Msa- Khalifa stadium in Doha yesterday. Lekhwiya Mohali yesterday. Athe way for unbeaten kni finished off a move started registered an emphatic 4-1 win to confirm Punjab now have 12 Lekhwiya to register an by Nam Tae-hee. themselves as Group B leaders. points from the same number emphatic 4-1 win over Al Fateh Tae-hee had a hand in the of matches and play in the AFC Champions League third goal and he let Afif do the Indians and Rising Pune Group B match played at the damage with elegant drive from Supergiant away. KKR, on the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in outside the box, which ended in other hand, remained second Doha yesterday. the top left corner. despite the defeat with 16 With yesterday’s win, The Qatar Stars League points from 13 outings. They Lekhwiya confirm themselves champions continued to pick have already made the as Group B leaders. holes in the rival defense. Djamel knockout stages. Victory ensured the Qatar Belmadi’s side added a fourth Lynn struck eight fours Stars League side finished the one in the added-on injury time and three sixes but wickets group phase with an unbeaten of the first half. fell around him as the men in record and they will now meet Flores completed a move purple failed to gun down a Iran’s Persepolis, who finished started by Afif to make it 4-0. par target of 168 set by the as runners-up in Group D, in the Thereafter, in the second hosts batting first at the IS Round of 16 later this month. half, Lekhwiya could not add Bindra Stadium. Mohammed Musa gave his more goals. Earlier, Punjab lost wick- side the lead after just nine min- Much against the run of play, ets at regular intervals and utes before further goals from Flores ended by scoring an own could not get partnerships Yousef Msakni, Ali Hassan Afif goal of a flag kick with three going as KKR restricted them and Chico Flores inside the open- minutes to go for the final to 167/6 in 20 overs. ing 45 minutes effectively ended whistle. Esteghlal Khouzestan needed campaign. The hosts came back seeing off third-placed Al Fateh Brief scores: the game as a contest, with Flores’ In the other match, substi- just a point to advance to the strongly after the restart but Ali 4-1 in the other Group B game of Kings XI Punjab 167 for late own goal merely a consola- tute Mehdi Zobeidi headed home knockout round, but Humaid Khaseif proved hard to beat in the night, Esteghlal Khouzestan, 6 (Glenn Maxwell 44, Wrid- tion for the eliminated Al Fateh. a late equaliser as Esteghlal Ahmed gave the visitors the lead the Al Jazira goal until, with just who will next play Group D win- dhiman Saha 38, Chris The Saudi Arabian outfit Khouzestan claimed a 1-1 draw shortly before the interval at four minutes remaining, Zobeidi ners Al Hilal in the last 16, would Woakes 2-20) beat Kolkata never recovered from the early with Al Jazira and progressed to Ghadir Stadium when he found rose highest to head home Has- have advanced regardless of the Knight Riders 153 for 6 (Chris jolt, conceding goals at regular the 2017 AFC Champions League the back of the net from outside san Beit Saeid’s cross from the outcome. Al Jazira, meanwhile, Lynn 84, Rahul Tewatia 2-18, interval to go down to the Qatar Round of 16 as Group B the area to give the bottom side right. finished bottom of the Mohit Sharma 2-84) by 14 Stars League side. runners-up. hope of a first win of the With table-toppers Lekhwiya standings. runs SPORT WEDNESDAY 10 MAY 2017 25

NBA opens first academy Curry sparkles as Warriors in cricket-mad

New Delhi seal the deal against Jazz Reuters

he National Basket- Los Angeles said. The Warriors laid the foundation for ball Association AFP the win with a devastating first quarter T(NBA) opened its performance which saw them pour on 39 first academy in India tephen Curry scored 30 points as points to open up a double-digit lead yesterday, hoping the the Golden State Warriors against a shellshocked Utah. facility on the outskirts wrapped up a series sweep with "Guys really came out focused," said of Delhi will trigger the a 121-95 rout of the Utah Jazz on Warriors forward Draymond Green, who game's growth in a coun- Monday. had a triple-double. try obsessed with cricket. SThe Warriors advanced to a Western "We knew what the game plan was "We opened our first Conference finals showdown against and executed that game plan. I think the office in India in 2011 but either Houston or San Antonio after over- most important thing, though, is we we had to understand the coming a fleeting Utah rally to take the imposed our will on the game. We had market place," NBA Dep- series 4-0 at Salt Lake City's Vivint Smart the game at our pace." uty Commissioner Mark Home Arena. The Jazz battled back to reduce the Tatum said after launch- It was a second consecutive 4-0 series deficit to eight points at half-time at ing the academy at victory for the Warriors, who also notched 60-52. Jaypee Greens in Greater a sweep against Portland in the opening Utah remained in touching distance Noida. round of the play-offs. throughout the third period but the War- "We recognised there "We gotta good thing going, we're riors always looked capable of finding an was opportunity for us playing well," Curry said afterward. extra gear when it mattered. now to bring NBA-style "Tonight we had an opportunity to The decisive period came at the end coaching, development seal the deal and thankfully we came out of the third period when both Curry and and training to kids on top," added Curry, praising the War- Andre Iguodala both hit three-pointers in around the world who riors all-round offensive display. quick succession to help the Dubs pull may not have access to "That's our approach to every game. away to 93-79 heading into the fourth that." We don't know who's going to have a hot quarter. It follows the launch night. We want to keep that going," he That burst of scoring was a foretaste of academies in of what was to follow in the fourth quar- Hangzhou, Jinan and ter, with the Warriors pulling further clear Urumqi in China and in to wrap up victory by a 26-point Thies in Senegal. A total margin. of 21 male players are to Curry was one of five Warriors play- receive NBA-level Tonight we had an ers to hit double figures, with Klay coaching and scholarship opportunity to seal the Thompson adding 21 points and Kevin at the academy. Durant 18. Green added 17 points, 10 Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors puts The NBA has an deal and thankfully we rebounds and 11 assists for a up a basket in the first half of their 121-95 win Indian owner in Sacra- came out on top. That's triple-double. over the Utah Jazz in Game Four of the Western mento Kings Vivek For Utah, Gordon Hayward top scored Conference semi-finals during the 2017 NBA play- Ranadive, who was born our approach to every with 25 points while Shelvin Mack had 18 offs in Salt Lake City, Utah on Monday. in Mumbai, but a player game. We don't know and Dante Exum 15. to galvanise a fan base Curry meanwhile played down the has yet to arrive. who's going to have a suggestion that the Warriors may suffer "You can learn lessons through win- to be almost perfect every possession, or Satnam Singh Bha- hot night. We want to deeper into the playoffs after romping ning and that's what we've done." else they turn it into a 9-0 run or 10-0 mara became the first keep that going: Curry through the first two rounds without drop- Jazz star Hayward, who may have run. Indian to be drafted into ping a game. played his last game for the team as he "You can't have one mental lapse the NBA when the Dallas "Every team that we've played had a prepares for free agency, said Utah had against them. This was a great learning Mavericks used the 52nd lot of pride," Curry said. been defeated by a "historically great experience for us. They showed why they pick on the 7-foot-2-inch "We hav en't lost but within team." are who they are, and we're not quite centre in 2015. these games we've really had to check "They make you pay for your mis- there yet. But you have to take positives ourselves. takes," Hayward told reporters. "You have from it."

Johnson and Defending champion Jason Day plays with past champions Day in marquee Rickie Fowler and Henrik Los Angeles ready to shine Stenson, while world number Players groups one Dustin Johnson tees it up with Rory McIlroy and Justin New York Thomas in tomorrow's opening for IOC evaluation visit Reuters round of The Players. Los Angeles sporting venues such as the participants," Baumann said efending champion Reuters Rose Bowl, Forum and the in a letter to the media Jason Day plays with Memorial Coliseum that was yesterday. D past champions Rickie t will be lights, camera, the centre piece of the 1932 The report will be made Fowler and Henrik Stenson, action with the Los Ange- Olympics and used again for available on July 5. while world number one Dus- Iles 2024 Olympic bid in the the 1984 Summer Games. Los Angeles rescued the tin Johnson tees it up with Rory spotlight when the Interna- The LA plan calls for no Olympics in 1984 by taking McIlroy and Justin Thomas in tional Olympic Committee new venue construction and over a Games no one wanted tomorrow's opening round of visits Tinseltown this week as athletes to be housed in reno- and transforming them into The Players. the race to host the Summer vated student residences on the world's biggest sporting Day, the world number Games heats up. the UCLA campus not far from extravaganza pouring billions three, won last year's event by The IOC's Evaluation Com- Beverly Hills. into IOC coffers. four strokes after opening with mission will hear a well-worn Casey Wasserman, the Cities, however, are no a course-record 63. sales pitch during a three-day entertainment executive head- longer lining up to host an The Australian helps kick off visit that will provide a ing LA2024, and everyone Olympics, the astronomical the tournament in the morning firsthand glimpse at the connected with the bid have price tag of staging a two- wave tomorrow with fellow top LA2024 vision. stayed on message through- week sporting festival now too 10 players, Sweden's Stenson (7) What commission chief out the process - that Los extravagant for most tastes but and Rickie Fowler (9), teeing off Patrick Baumann of Switzer- Angeles can deliver a cost con- Los Angeles could be in posi- at the 10th tee at 8:16 AM (1216 land and his members discover scious, low-risk Games. tion to revitalise the franchise GMT) in the so-called 'fourth will find its way into a report "The report will address a once again with a fiscal major' of the season. presented to IOC members wide range of relevant issues responsible bid. Another glamour group fol- They are preceded by groupings who will decide between Los and technical matters, includ- Paris and LA are the only lows them to the tee 11 minutes of Masters champion Sergio Gar- Romo fails to Angeles and Paris as 2024 host ing the sustainability and remaining cities left in the race later as world number five Jor- cia of Spain and former winners when a vote is held in Peru on legacy value of the proposal, to secure the 2024 Games, dan Spieth, number four Hideki Adam Scott of Australia and Matt enter US Open September 13. its impact on the natural envi- after a number of withdraw- Matsuyama of Japan and five- Kuchar, and an international trio While there will be no ronment, and the experience als from the process, including times major winner Phil of Briton Justin Rose, German New York shortage of celebrity firepower for athletes, the media, spec- Boston, Hamburg, Rome and Mickelson set off on the Martin Kaymer and Spaniard Jon Reuters and Hollywood pizzazz, start- tators and other Games Budapest. revamped Stadium Course at Rahm. ing with a visit to "Jimmy TPC Sawgrass. The elite field at The Players etired Dallas Cowboys Kimmel Live" and a Los Ange- Johnson, whose run of three will see numerous changes at the quarterback Tony les Dodgers game tomorrow, victories in his previous three permanent site of the champi- R Romo's bid to reach the LA2024 officials will be out to starts ended with a tie for sec- onship, including a new drivable US Open golf championship impress but at the same time ond at last week's Wells Fargo par-four 12th hole, where eagles ended in a local qualifier on emphasise that this is no Championship, hopes to get are possible if one risks the dan- Monday in Aledo, Texas. Olympic blockbuster, like started on a new winning streak ger posed by a water hazard left Romo shot a 3-over-par those that have been ravaged when he tees off at 1:52 PM from of the green. 75 at Split Rail Links & Golf by critics for their cost and the first tee in the afternoon There is also a new hazard Club and was not one of the white elephants. wave. between the sixth and seventh, seven qualifiers who fin- In fact, the bid is more fru- World number two McIlroy, and subtle changes to several ished two-under or better to gal than flashy with officials the FedExCup champion, cele- holes, including expanded greens advance to the sectional touting a proposal that will brates a return to competition and the removal of rough to pro- from a field of 115 lean heavily on existing after a month off to get married. mote creative recovery shots. hopefuls. 26 SPORT WEDNESDAY 10 MAY 2017

Pakistan summon all-rounder Nawaz Beach handball: Sochi berth as part of probe

Lahore Reuters

main target for team Qatar akistan Cricket Board (PCB) has summoned all-rounder The Peninsula Afghanistan, Thai- PMohammad Nawaz to appear QATAR SQUAD FOR ASIAN BEACH land, the United Arab before its security and vigilance efending HANDBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: Emirates and Viet- department as part of its ongoing champi- nam have been probe into corruption in the game. ons Qatar Muhsin Mohammed Al Yafi'i, Ahmed Abdul placed in Group B. "This notice... requires Nawaz to are eye- Hamid Al Minawi, Mu'tasim Mohammed Qatar will play appear before the PCB Security and ing to Abdul Wahed, Amir Dangir, Sayed Ali their opening match Vigilance Department for an inter- Dretain their Asian against Uzbekistan view in relation to possible breaches Qenaoui, Ahmed Rajab Morjan, Anis Abdul Beach Handball and will meet Chi- of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code,"

Championship title or Razzaq Al Zawaawi, Mohammed Ahmed nese Taipei in their the board said in a statement.

at least secure a top Zaki, Hani Marwan Kakhi and Ahmed Mo- second match today. The PCB is probing allegations of three finish in the hammed Abdul Higg. The Al Anabi will corruptions in the second season of continental competi- meet neighbours the Pakistan Super League and has tion, which got under Oman in their last initiated proceedings against sus- way on Monday at the global contest. The Beach group match on Fri- pended players Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Thai city of Pattaya. Handball World Champi- day. The semi-finals will Latif, Nasir Jamshed and Shahzaib As many as 9 teams onship will be held in be played on May 14 while Hassan. are taking part in the event Sochi, Russia next year. the final of the event is In March, Mohammad Irfan was with their main target is to Qatar, who have won slated to be held on May suspended for a year after the fast confirm their berth at the the 2011, 2013 and 2015 15. bowler failed to disclose two Beach Handball World editions, have been drawn Meanwhile, Iran over- approaches made by bookmakers. A Qatari beach handball player leaps to score in this file photo. Qatar Championship as the top in Group A along with Chi- came Afghanistan 2-0 in three teams will get direct nese Taipei, Oman, and their opening match on will be looking to defend their Asian Beach Handball Championship title at the Thai city of Pattaya. qualification for the Uzbekistan. Iran, Monday. Bairstow unlikely to start in Champions set to stage Trophy - Morgan London Amir Khan-backed Reuters ngland wicket-keeper batsman Jonny Bairstow's impressive E knock against Ireland is Super Boxing League unlikely to earn him a Champions Trophy starting spot as the one-day side will stick with its regular batting lineup, captain Eoin Morgan has said. Fawad Hussain The eight teams of the inaugural Bairstow, batting at number five, The Peninsula edition of SBL include Mumbai Assas- hit 72 off 44 deliveries to help Eng- sins, Delhi Gladiators, Haryana land wrap up a 2-0 series victory over oxing fever is soon to grip India Warriors, Sher-E-Punjab, UP Termi- the Irish at Lord's on Sunday. Eugenie Bouchard of Canada shakes hands with Russia's Maria with its first-ever Super Boxing nators, North East Tigers, Maratha With first-choice keeper-bats- Sharapova after beating her in their WTAMadrid Open tie. BLeague (SBL) to be held in New Yoddhas and Southern Super Kings. man Jos Buttler and all-rounder Ben Delhi from July 7 to August 12, 2017. “Today’s event represents a huge Stokes due to arrive back from the The league is being organised by step towards delivering our vision of Indian Premier League, Morgan British businessman Bill Dosanjh, also creating an inspirational international believes England would not be able Players 'scared' to the founder and promoter of success- level of contact sports in India,” said to field another specialist batsman in ful Super Fight League and Bill Dosanjh, Owner & Promoter, SBL. their final 11. professional boxing sensation and “It’s a great feeling to see a con- "It is looking like that at the two-time world champion boxer, Amir cept taking shape and today we have moment, which is unfortunate for criticise Sharapova, Khan. eight teams with the best of industry him (Bairstow)," Morgan told British According to information received partners owning them. I am thankful media. "You can't guarantee how by The Peninsula, the organisers yes- to all team owners for believing in our often he would be used. terday unveiled the competing teams vision and joining hands in delivering "We've a really strong batting says Bouchard and schedule for India’s first ever box- something which will soon be a sym- lineup, particularly when Stokes, ing league. bol of aspiration for many young Chris Woakes and Buttler come back Madrid Bouchard replied when asked what Khan, who missed the ceremony pugilists across globe.” in. I'm not sure about justifying an AFP words were exchanged at the net. due to his ongoing treatment in Dubai, The eight teams participating in out-and-out batter at seven. "I think she's been playing hoped the league would be a huge SBL are owned by top corporate All-rounder Moeen Ali offers ugenie Bouchard claimed really well in her so-called come- success. honchos. another off-spinning option in Eng- plenty of other players on the back, if you want to call it that." “Long-term partnerships work Aditya Munjal of Hero Cycles, land's 15-man squad and Morgan is EWTA Tour share her outspo- Sharapova said she was "above" best for both the brand and the team, Arjun Jain of White Fox and Shiva Vij keen to use him ahead of Bairstow to ken views on Maria Sharapova's responding to Bouchard's jibes where they draw from each other’s an industrialist from Delhi will jointly bring more stability to the hosts who return from an 15-month doping when reaching the semi-finals in vigour. SBL is going to be a big leap in own Delhi Gladiators, Nitin Jadhav of will start their campaign on June 1 ban, but are too "scared" to speak her first tournament since her ban the history of boxing,” Khan, the SBL Gajanan Oil will own Mumbai Assas- against Bangladesh at The Oval. out. expired amid a media circus in promoter, said in a video message. sins, Jaskaran Puniyani and Navraj Bouchard beat Sharapova for Stuttgart last week. “I am confident that it will become Jaura of the Jaura Group will own UP the first time in five meetings in the And she claimed the extra one of the most coveted title in box- Terminators, Southern Super Kings second round of the Madrid Open attention caused by the bad blood ing in the years to come,” he added. will be owned by Abhinandan Balas- JADCO drops appeal on Monday 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 a week between her and Bouchard had not Eight teams comprising 96 pugil- ubramaniam who is also the man after labelling the Russian "a affected her performance. ists will come together for twelve behind India’s first futsal league, Pre- seeking extension cheater". "I've been part of this game for league level matches from July 7 to 30, mier Futsal. The Canadian also claimed many years," said Sharapova. 2017 followed by two semi-finals on Ajeenkya Patil of the DY Patil of Russell's ban Sharapova should have been "I know what the drill is. I know August 5 and 6 with the grand finale Group will be owning Maratha Yod- banned for life after testing posi- the excitement. I know there's set for August 1212.. dhas,dhas, the team that comes frfromomo PunePune,, tive for Meldonium at the 2015 always a lot of talk and buzz, AmitAmit Aggarwal of S&J Granulate Solu-Solu- Kingston Australian Open rather than wel- matchups, rivalries. It's all part of tionstions Pvt. LtLtd.d. wiwillll own NortNorthh East Reuters comed back with a series of the game." Tigers.Tigers. Besides these corporate houses, wildcards for big events. Sharapova insisted there was SBL hhasas a team owner whowho is a farmerfarmer he decision on whether West "I definitely had some extra no extra disappointment on her byby professionprofession butbut a sport loverlover byby Indies all-rounder Andre Rus- motivation going into today," said part for having lost to Bouchard passion. Karan Devgan comes on Tsell should serve a longer ban for Bouchard. despite vowing to let her tennis do bboardoard as tthehe owner ooff Haryana breaches of the whereabouts rule now "I was actually quite inspired the talking before the match. Warriors.Warriors. rested with the World Anti-Doping before the match because I had a And she believes she will once EachEach team at tthehe Super Boxing Agency (WADA), according to Jamai- lot of players coming up to me pri- again rise to the top of the tennis League willwill hhaveave a squasquadd strengtstrengthh ca's anti-doping authority. vately wishing me good luck. world to add to her five Grand Slam ofo 12 bobboxers,xers, including six back up The Jamaica Anti-Doping Com- "Players I don't normally speak titles. boxers.boxers. A teteamam wwillill hahaveve a mmixix ooff mission (JADCO) dropped an appeal to, getting a lot of texts from peo- "I think I would be worried five male andand one female boxerboxer andand against the one-year ban imposed on ple in the tennis world that were about myself if I sat here and said can hhaveave a maximum ooff tthreehree Russell on Monday. They had been just rooting for me. I'm pretty happy with losing a ten- internationalinternational boxers.boxers. EachEach action- seeking to extend it to two years. "I wanted to do it for myself, but nis match, no matter who I face, no packedpacked weekend of SBL will see "WADA has the right to take the also all these people. matter what round it is, whether thethe bebbestst ofof 6 boutsbouts formatsformats across matter elsewhere," JADCO Chairman "It showed me that most peo- it's the first round or final of a Grand six weight categories. A bout will Alexander Williams told a media con- ple have my opinion, and they were Slam," she added. havehave 4 rounroundsds ooff 3 minutes eaceach.h. ference in Kingston. just maybe scared to speak out, but "I'm a big competitor. What you SBL hhasas roperopedd in Sony Pictures Williams said JADCO had been in privately I've gotten a lot of sup- work for so many hours every sin- Networks IndiaIndia as the broadcastbroadcast discussions with Jamaica's Attorney port, so I was inspired and gle day is to be on the winning end partner fforor on-air as wewellll as General Marlene Malahoo Forte about motivated to play." of matches. online streaming of the the issue before the decision was made The two exchanged a frosty "Today was just not that day. Of league.league. TheThe lleagueeague on May 5 to drop the appeal. handshake at the end of a thrilling course, I'm disappointed. wiwillll bbee tetelecastlecast The 29-year-old Russell was given nearly three-hour long encounter "That's what's going to make me live.live. a one-year ban on Jan. 31 after he as Bouchard registered just her sec- a better player. failed to file the necessary paperwork ond WTA Tour win since the "That's what's going to win me on his availability for drug testing Two-time world champion Australian Open in January. more tournaments and more Grand three times in 2015, which constituted boxer, Amir Khan "She said: 'Well played,'" Slams." a failed test according to WADA rules. WEDNESDAY 10 MAY 2017 SPORT 27 Infantino vows to fight racism, will talk to Muntari

Manama established by UEFA in Europe, anytime that they have been Reuters with a series of stadium victim of an abuse. We have a announcements leading up to a committee that is in charge of possible stopping of the game, monitoring those actions. And IFA President Gianni should be applied. the committee will take action," Infantino said he intends "Unfortunately idiots, there she told reporters. Fto talk with Pescara mid- are always idiots everywhere "We've been very severe in fielder Sulley Muntari, the victim but we have to fight them," he Europe, in Latin America - of racist abuse in Italian foot- said. we've been regularly publicising ball, and vowed to fight racist Muntari said he had com- the action of the committee on "idiots". plained that parts of the crowd, every action that relates to rac- Muntari was booked for including a group of children, ism, homophobic chants and complaining about racist abuse had hurled racist insults at him any kind of discrimination," she during a match at Cagliari and from the start of the game in added. Asked for her personal subsequently suspended, Cagliari on April 30. view on the Muntari case, the although that sanction was later The player said the referee Senegalese official said that was lifted. told him to stop talking to the irrelevant. The Ghanaian then walked crowd and ended up showing "My personal view does not off the field in protest in the final him the yellow card for dissent matter. What matters is that the minutes of the game. in the 90th minute. disciplinary committee has to Infantino told reporters on The decision to punish act and the sooner the better," yesterday that he intended to Muntari has been widely crit- she said. talk with Muntari and would icised and the player himself "I have my personal feelings give him FIFA's "full has said FIFA and UEFA are not on anybody that is treated like solidarity". taking the issue of racism he has been treated, on the pitch The FIFA president also said FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Fatma Samoura arrive to attend FIFA seriously. and off the pitch but I'm not here he would be discussing the issue UEFA meeting ahead of the 67th FIFA Congress in Manama Bahrain, yesterday. But FIFA Secretary General for my personal matters. with Italian Football Federation Fatma Samoura rejected that "I'm here to make sure that President Carlo Tavecchio about Muntari as well... we will work Asked what could be done when they happen. We have to charge and said the organisa- FIFA takes through the commit- the issue. together," Infantino, who is in about the issue, Infantino said: work. We have to work on the tion had the structures to deal tee the appropriate action for "Of course I will speak to Bahrain for Thursday's FIFA "Fight. Continue to fight. It's people." with the problem. any single discriminatory Tavecchio, I will speak to Congress, said. good to bring these things out Infantino said the protocol, "I don't have to call people action." Dutch turn to Advocaat for World Cup rescue mission

Zeist, years, failing to qualify for Euro AFP 2016 in France and now facing the prospect of being a humili- ick Advocaat has been ating World Cup no-show. named coach of The The defeat in Sofia left them Netherlands for a third fourth in qualifying group A, D Chelsea manager Antonio Conte celebrates after the English time aiming to kick them into trailing six points behind lead- Premier League match against Middlesbrough with John shape fast and save their World ers France. Cup hopes, with Ruud Gullit as Their next qualifying match Terry and Nemanja Matic at Stamford Bridge yesterday. assistant. is on June 9 against Luxembourg. Advocaat, 69, and Dutch leg- Before that they have friendlies end Gullit have signed contracts against Morocco on May 31 and until the end of the year, the the Ivory Coast on June 4. Chelsea one football federation said yester- Advocaat is under contract day, admitting it was "a until June 1 with the Turkish short-term" rescue mission. club, but should be allowed to Disciplinarian Advocaat Technical Director of the Royal Dutch Football Federation join the Dutch for the friendly returns for a third stint in charge, against Morocco, Van Breuke- 'little step' from (KNVB) Hans van Breukelen (left) and Commercial Director taking over from , len said. who was sacked in March after Jean Paul Decossaux address a press conference yesterday Heated words were the Dutch were beaten 2-0 by in Zeist, after veteran coach reached an exchanged at the press confer- Bulgaria. agreement with KNVB. ence over why former The shock defeat left the Manchester United manager title, says Conte once-proud Dutch clinging to conference that the KNVB had he World Cup.If not, the KNVB or current UAE only the slimmest of hopes of wrestled with "two scenarios". "will think about what to do", trainer Henk ten Cate were not reaching the World Cup finals in "Either we decided to go added Van Breukelen. chosen for the job. London they need to make it across the Russia next year. with a long-term solution or we Advocaat, who has also Ten Cate told Dutch media AFP finish line. Advocaat, currently at Turk- did everything we could to qual- coached the UAE, South Korea, last month he had been offered Cesc Fabregas was Chel- ish club Fenerbahce, will also be ify for the 2018 World Cup. Russia as well as briefly Serbia the post but refused it, hinting helsea manager Antonio sea's match-winner, inventively joined on the coaching staff by "We decided to go for the and Belgium, previously man- he felt he did not have the back- Conte said his side were creating goals for Diego Costa Fred Grim, who temporarily took second option and therefore we aged the Dutch national side ing of the whole team. C"another little step" from and Nemanja Matic either side over following Blind's sacking. needed an experienced trainer, from 1992 to 1994 and 2002 to "I never said he would the Premier League title after of half-time at a festive Stam- Hans van Breukelen, the someone with authority." 2004. become" the coach, said Van they crushed Middlesbrough ford Bridge. Dutch federation's (KNVB) tech- Advocaat and Gullit will get The Netherlands, three-time Breukelen, and "now I'm glad 3-0 to move to within touching Marcos Alonso also found nical director, told reporters at extended contracts if the Dutch World Cup runners-up, have that we did not end up choosing distance of glory. the net in the first half. an at-times heated press pull off a miracle and qualify for endured a tough time in recent him". Tottenham Hotspur's sur- Fabregas began the season prise defeat at West Ham on the bench after new signing United last week handed Chel- N'Golo Kante took his place, but sea the initiative and they can he has played an increasingly now seal a second title triumph prominent role in recent weeks. Wenger determined to retain in three years if they win at "Cesc is one of the best West Bromwich Albion on examples of our season," Conte Friday. said. "We're very close. We must "Because in this season, full control at Arsenal be honest. But we need to do Cesc at the start didn't play a another little step and win lot. And then through hard another game," Conte told work, he improved a lot. And London Football Club and as long as I'm disappointing run that saw them reporters after Monday's match, then he's playing in every game. AFP manager of Arsenal Football humiliated in the Champions which condemned Middles- "This development of Cesc Club, I will decide what happens League to Bayern Munich and brough to relegation. is our development, because we rsene Wenger (pictured) on the technical front, that's it," fall out of the Premier League "For sure now I'm a bit started the season with a lot of has ruled out working Wenger, 67, said on the eve of top four. relaxed. This step was big for problems. But through hard Aalongside a director of Wednesday's league match at Asked yesterday if he would us, a big win. work, together we found the football if he stays at Arsenal, Southampton. now reveal his decision over "Now we need to do right way. saying he must have full control "I don't know what director whether to sign the contract, he another step. We have the pos- "Cesc is showing (himself) of the Premier League club. of football means. Is it somebody replied simply: "No." sibility to do this on Friday to be a fantastic player and I'm The Frenchman's hardline who stands in the road and Arsenal are in danger of fail- against West Brom. pleased for him. Because I saw stance puts him on a potential directs play right and left? I don't ing to qualify for the Champions last get the better of Jose Mour- "For sure it won't be easy, in this season that he put him- collision course with members understand and I never did League for the first time in inho at the 13th attempt. because West Brom is a really self in this team in every of the Arsenal hierarchy who understand what it means." Wenger's long reign, even "It gives us still a chance to good team, a physical team, and moment, if he played or didn't reportedly want to bring in a Wenger previously said that though Sunday's 2-0 win over go into the top four," said we must pay great attention. play. Now he's deserving this." director of football this summer he had made up his mind about Manchester United moved them Wenger. "We are very close, but we Needing victory to stand a to work with Wenger. his future and would announce to within six points of fourth- Former United defender need another step to become realistic chance of preserving Wenger has called the shots it in March or April, but no placed Manchester City with a Phil Neville criticised the cor- champions of the Premier their top-flight status, Boro suc- at the north London club since announcement was game in hand. dial way players from both League, which would be a fan- cumbed to a defeat that sent he joined in 1996 and said he had forthcoming. While the Premier League sides were seen joking and tastic achievement for us." them into the Championship no interest in having his author- His Arsenal contract expires and Europe has been a source of hugging each other before While victory at West Brom alongside northeast rivals ity diminished, even as his future at the end of this season and frustration, Arsenal will contest kick-off, a far cry from the will deliver the title, Chelsea Sunderland. remains mired in uncertainty while a fresh deal is reportedly their third FA Cup final in four frosty atmosphere that per- also have home games against Conte made a point of and with the fans restless. on the table, some Arsenal fans seasons later this month, while vaded his own encounters with Watford and Sunderland in saluting Boro's travelling fans "I'm the manager of Arsenal have called for his head after a Sunday's success saw Wenger at the Gunners. which to snare the three points after the game.