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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2014 SPORTS Ronaldo and Romario go at it again in Brazil SAO PAULO: In the latest chapter of a spat between things that are out of my hands,” Ronaldo said in a headquarters three years ago. He wrote: “This photo and improve conditions for Brazilians with disabili- past Brazil football greats, Ronaldo is publicly criti- statement published on his social media accounts. was taken in 2011, when Ronaldo publicly promised ties. He has been attacking World Cup organizers cizing former teammate Romario for making anoth- “Opportunism or ignorance, I don’t know. What I do the tickets for people with disabilities. So far, noth- and Brazilian authorities since he took office in er attack on him, this time over an alleged broken know is that instead of wasting time and energy try- ing!!!” Ronaldo said he was there to support the 2010, criticizing FIFA’s influence in Brazil and the promise to provide free tickets for people with dis- ing to disparage me, the congressman should dedi- cause, just like Romario. He said he also hopes that costs of hosting the tournament. He always made it abilities during the World Cup. cate himself to challenging the right people/institu- the federation comes through with its promise, and clear that he was not fond of Ronaldo’s decision to Romario, now an outspoken lawmaker, is blam- tions. We would all benefit from that.” told Romario to go talk to federation officials to find join the local organizing committee. ing Ronaldo for making the promise and not com- Ronaldo said the promise to donate 32,000 out what happened. Ronaldo reiterated on Monday that he is a volun- ing through with it. Ronaldo, a member of the local World Cup tickets to people with disabilities was “I’m anxiously waiting for answers, like every- teer on the organizing committee and is not being World Cup organizing committee, says it was the made by the Brazilian football federation, not by body else,” Ronaldo said. “If you need my support, paid. Former Brazil striker Bebeto is also a member Brazilian football federation that failed to fulfill their him. “I’m not a politician, I don’t represent (the fed- please at least be more polite next time.” of the local committee. Romario, who has also been pledge. eration), I don’t promise what I can’t fulfill,” Ronaldo Ronaldo added: “It doesn’t make sense to insist at odds with Brazil great Pele in the past, led Brazil Ronaldo on Monday lamented another attack by said, adding that he is sure that Romario knows the publicly in this ‘rivalry,’ which doesn’t exist from my to the World Cup title in 1994, when Ronaldo was a his former teammate, saying it’s not clear why promise was made by the entity and not by him. side.” The Brazilian football federation could not be young reserve in the squad. Ronaldo played in three Romario continues to take shots at him. On Friday, Romario posted a photo where he is immediately contacted for comment. other World Cups after that, winning the title in “It’s lamentable to see Romario once again com- standing by Ronaldo after a press conference held Romario has a daughter with a disability, and 2002 and becoming the tournament’s leading scor- ing out to publicly say that I’m responsible for to announce the free tickets at the federation’s one of his main causes in Congress has been to try er with 15 goals. — AP Drogba will rejoin Chelsea Qatar WCup organizers: family one day - Mourinho LONDON: Didier Drogba will be a part of Mourinho was sent to the stands in We adhered to ethics rules the Chelsea family again one day, man- stoppage time and also had Ramires, for ager Jose Mourinho predicted on the eve a horrible two-footed lunge, and fellow LONDON: Organizers of the 2022 World Cup dis- of yesterday’s Champions League last-16 Brazil midfielder Willian, for two book- tanced themselves yesterday from allegations of cor- second leg against Galatasaray. able offences, sent off. ruption involving two former high-ranking FIFA offi- Mourinho told reporters the 36-year- The Portuguese refused to talk too cials that raised new questions about Qatar’s winning old Galatasaray striker was such an much about the Villa match for fear of bid for the tournament. important part of Chelsea’s history that it bringing the game into disrepute and British newspaper The Daily Telegraph alleged yes- was inevitable that he would be a said he had no interest in accepting terday it has evidence that former FIFA vice president Stamford Bridge employee again at counterpart Roberto Mancini’s offer to Jack Warner of Trinidad & Tobago and his family were paid almost $2 million from a company controlled by some point in the future. treat him to dinner in the event Mohamed Bin Hammam, a Qatari who used to be an Drogba’s contract expires at the end Galatasaray knock Chelsea out. executive committee member of world football’s gov- of the season and media reports have “I don’t do things because I win or I erning body. linked him with a role as player-coach at lose,” said Mourinho. “After matches According to documents seen by the newspaper, a the London club. what I have in my mind to do, I do, it note from one of Warner’s companies, Jamad, to Bin At a separate news conference earlier, doesn’t matter if I win or lose. Hammam’s firm, Kemco, requested $1.2 million for the Ivorian also said he would like to “Some coaches say if we win tomor- work carried out between 2005 and 2010. The note return to Chelsea one day. “He is one of row it’s a free day for the players, with me was dated Dec. 15, 2010, two weeks after Qatar was the most important players in the history it’s not. With me it’s a free day when I awarded the World Cup. The payment was made in of this club. All we Chelsea supporters think it’s a free day. 2011. Payments totaling $750,000 were paid to Warner’s sons and a further $400,000 to one of his agree with that,” said Mourinho who “After the game tomorrow I don’t employees, the Telegraph alleged. goes into the home second leg with an have in my plans a meal with somebody The transactions were processed via a bank in New advantage after drawing the opening who has the same job as I have and the York and have come to the attention of the FBI, which match in Istanbul 1-1. “We don’t say he is only thing we have in common is we are the newspaper alleged is investigating Warner and his the most important because it’s not fair both football managers, nothing else.” links to the Qatar bid. for other people who were at the same Mourinho was not happy to be ques- Qatari organizers said yesterday the bid “strictly level and were of the same generation. tioned about Ramires’s sending-off at adhered to FIFA’s bidding regulations in compliance “His return has to happen one day, Villa Park. “Don’t you have other things to with their code of ethics.” when I don’t know. As a player, as a ask about that game other than “The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and the individuals involved in the 2022 Bid PORT-OF-SPAIN: In this Thursday, June 2, 2011 file photo, suspended FIFA executive Jack coach, as an ambassador, next year, in Ramires’s tackle in minute 92?,” the Committee are unaware of any allegations surround- Warner gestures during a news conference held shortly after his arrival at the airport in Port- four or five years, 10 years, I don’t know,” Chelsea manager replied. ing business dealings between private individuals,” of-Spain, in his native Trinidad and Tobago. — AP added Mourinho. “But when a person “Do you think in that game the most the statement said. FIFA said it had no comment on tiny Gulf nation, where temperatures can hit 120 official launched his challenge against FIFA President gives so much to a club and a club repre- important thing to happen was Ramires’s the allegations. degrees F (49 C). FIFA is expected to move the tourna- Sepp Blatter three months after helping his country sents so much to a person, as in this case, tackle? In that case I don’t want to “In principle, any evidence of potential wrongdo- ment from its traditional June-July period to the win- secure the World Cup. I think he has to be back one day.” answer. “We cannot have a reaction to ing can be submitted to the investigatory chamber of ter months, with the exact dates yet to be finalized. Bin Hammam withdrew his presidential candidacy The Portuguese said it was not the what happened at Villa Park because if the independent Ethics Committee of FIFA for further Concerns have also been raised about the working just days before the vote after being suspended by right time to discuss a possible Drogba we have a reaction it will bring the game investigation,” it said in a statement. conditions, poor living standards and non-payment of FIFA’s ethics committee. He was implicated in offering return. “We know he is a free agent at the into disrepute. We just close our mouths The latest allegations will bring fresh scrutiny on wages for people helping to build the stadiums for Caribbean football federations $40,000 each in cash at end of the season but this is not the right and keep going.” the 2010 vote, which currently is under investigation the World Cup.