TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014 SPORTS New league may not be answer to India’s soccer woes

MUMBAI: A new franchise-based soccer yourself a league,” chief executive Brothers club, added. GOOD STARTER countries from Middle East would have league with celebrity owners will kick-off Valanka Alemao told Reuters. “And in any “I don’t think these celebrities have Many are not convinced that two done it many years ago. “They would in India later this year but not everyone country who play the World Cup, have even watched Indian football. If the leagues can co-exist but Dutta assured have won many World Cups by now. is convinced that it will help lift the you ever heard of something so stupid structure was good, I would have been that the ISL will not diminish the existing Nobody has the kind of money they country out of the lower echelons of the and ridiculous as this tournament? the first to support it.” AIFF officials are competition. “It will be like a curtain-rais- have.” world game. Spanish club Atletico “I’m someone who will call a spade a confident such concerns can be easily er for the I-League, like a good starter Soccer in India remains popular only Madrid, former cricketers Sachin spade. I’ll fight it tooth and nail. They addressed. The sport’s governing body and a good soup before the spectators in certain areas, while the appetite for Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly as well as want to kill the sleeping giants even said they have asked franchises to invest are served the main course in the form the televised game is restricted to the top Bollywood actors are among the before waking it up.” in infrastructure, grass-root and youth of the I-League,” Dutta said. The stake- English Premier League or Spain’s La owners of eight franchises in the Indian football development and believe the holders believe the tournament, if pre- Liga. Super League (ISL), which will run from CELEBRITY OWNERS money on offer will inspire youngsters to sented, packaged and promoted proper- FIFA has signed a 10-year agreement mid-September to the end of November. The ISL is promoted by India’s take up soccer as a profession. ly, will add sorely needed entertainment to develop the game in the world’s sec- Cricket-obsessed India languishes at Reliance Industries, controlled by the “Indian football had somewhat stag- value and glamour to the game. ond most populous nation and the IMG 145th in the world rankings, a state of country’s richest man Mukesh Ambani, nated. Nothing great was happening Soccer writer Jaydeep Basu, whose Reliance joint venture are four years into affairs that has prompted FIFA president Rupert Murdoch’s Star India TV and and we were not progressing at the “Stories From Indian football” is an anec- a 15-year deal as the commercial partner Sepp Blatter to dub the country of 1.2 sports management group IMG, which is desirable rate,” AIFF vice-president dotal history of the game in the country, of the AIFF, which is worth 7 billion billion the “sleeping giant” of world soc- also the marketing partner of the All Subrata Dutta told Reuters. does not doubt the league’s success but rupees ($116.26 million). cer. While the promoters are confident India Football Federation (AIFF). “We have been hovering between is sceptical of how much it will benefit “That India needed it (ISL) is a hoax. the ISL will revolutionise soccer in India According to tournament organisers, 140 and 160 in rankings for many years Indian football. “Anyone who’s trying to Who needed it? The marketing and in much the same way as the similarly franchises paid about $25 million for a now and we needed something big to say that it will help Indian football in broadcasting partners of the AIFF named cricket league has done in the team for 10 years in the ISL, which will push us forward. improving the standards is wrong,” Basu maybe,” Basu added. “The I-League has nation’s favorite game, not everybody is have a fair presence of the country’s film “We at the AIFF felt that an explosion said. not been returning any money for the on board. The owners of current national industry in the form of actors Salman is needed in Indian football. We felt the “It might bring back spectators to the partners. champions, Goa-based I-League club Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and John Abraham ISL would give the necessary push to ground and encourage more young- “The ISL is a business opportunity, Churchill Brothers, are among the as co-owners. Indian football, it would make a differ- sters. It should be a commercial success they want to make their money back fiercest critics of the new tournament, “Celebrity owners and all is great but ence.” The standard of competition and in a few years. through this. So I am ready to agree believing it will do more harm than football in our country requires a lot of the quality of the foreign players playing “But Indian football will remain where if you tell me it’s a good chocolate, good. “How do you even call it a league? dedication and a lot of hard work,” in the tournament will be crucial, he it is. If you could revolutionise the game but don’t tell me chocolate is You need at least six months to term Alemao, whose family own the Churchill added. with a two-month tournament then healthy.” —Reuters Atletico, Barca and Real locked in tight title race

MADRID: Perhaps the Champions League suc- cess for Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid was the best thing that could happen to Barcelona - at least as far as the domestic title race is con- cerned. The Madrid clubs both stumbled in the Spanish league on Sunday as they looked sapped of energy following their wins in the Champions League semifinals to set up a city derby in the final. That has provided Barcelona with renewed hope after the defending champi- on had written itself off. Leader Atletico lost 2-0 at Levante, while Madrid needed a stoppage-time goal from Cristiano Ronaldo to draw 2-2 against Valencia at home. That came after Atletico beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge and Madrid routed Bayern 4- LONDON: In this March 16, 2014 file photo, Liverpoolí’s Luis Suarez celebrates his 0 in Munich in midweek. Chelsea went on to goal against Manchester United at an English Premier League soccer match in draw 0-0 Sunday against Norwich to virtually fall Manchester. —AP out of contention in the Premier League title race. “Specifically on the physical front. Atletico and Chelsea had the same problem (as us),” Liverpool striker Suarez Madrid coach said after the team’s draw. “You can’t give your maximum Footballer of the Year intensity like that and not pay the price for it.” Atletico is still the front-runner as it only LONDON: Liverpool striker Luis Suarez ued: “While nobody would say Suarez is needs four points from its final two games - completed his redemption from outcast to whiter than white you have to say his against Malaga at home this Sunday before the hero when he was named England’s behaviour throughout the season has been trip to Barcelona on May 18. Atletico leads with Footballer of the Year by the Football very good. 88 points and Barcelona is second with 85. SPAIN: Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal (right) duels for the ball with Valencia’s Writers’ Association (FWA) yesterday. “I think the football writers have taken Madrid has 83 points but with three games Joao Pereira from Portugal during a Spanish League soccer match.—AP The prestigious honor completes an that into account. “There is an element of remaining, starting with Wednesday’s match at award double after he was named the redemption - allied with those 30 goals and Real Valladolid that will see the standings set for to win our games. We can’t worry about other Getafe in a 2-2 draw on Saturday. Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) the sensational talent he has displayed all the last two rounds. teams, we need to worry about ourselves, win, Now, suddenly, Barcelona remains in the player of the year last month. season -and it has made him a very popular “We can’t forget that we depend on our- and then see.” Ronaldo’s turn-of-his-boot volley hunt, but needs Madrid to drop points in of its The 27-year-old Uruguayan finished choice.” selves,” Atletico captain Gabi Fernandez said. to stab in a 92nd-minute cross allowed Madrid games to have a chance to avoid a first season ahead of team mate Steven Gerrard and “We’re 15 days from tasting glory, so we’ve got to remain in the race. without a major trophy since 2007. Yaya Toure of Manchester City in the poll of DIFFICULT PERIOD to keep fighting.” “Cristiano’s goal was very, very important If Atletico and Barcelona end up tied on England’s football writers and the honour Suarez becomes the 10th Liverpool to Atletico holds the head-to-head tiebreaker because if we had lost it would have meant we points, Barcelona will hold the head-to-head follows an astonishing turnaround for win the award and one of their previous over Madrid, so even wins for Real at Valladolid, lost any chance of winning the league,” Ancelotti advantage as that scenario will only arrive with Suarez who began this season serving the winners, Ian Rush, praised Liverpool man- at Celta Vigo and home to Espanyol wouldn’t be said. “It was a key play. We’ve got three games the title holder beating Atletico on the final day. remainder of a 10-match ban imposed for ager Brendan Rodgers for the way he han- enough unless Atletico drops points. left, and on Wednesday we’ll play better.” “One day someone said this league was bor- biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic last April. dled a difficult period at the start of the “I only trust in Madrid and no other team. We Barcelona looked to have given up on win- ing, and now it’s very fun,” Atletico Madrid coach Although he missed the first five games season after Suarez tried to engineer a have to do our job and see what happens,” ning a fifth title in six years after conceding a said. “What we have left is a cou- of the season, the controversial striker, who move in the off-season. Madrid defender Marcelo said. “First off, we have stoppage-time equalizer to relegation-battling ple of rounds of pure football.”—AP will play against Gerrard and England in the “He was training by himself,” Rush told World Cup in Brazil next month, is the Sky Sports, “but once he apologised, the Premier League’s top scorer this season manager welcomed him back and said you with 30 goals with two matches remaining. are one of the players now. “The manager You will see me His goals have sustained Liverpool’s could have handled it differently, but he Premier League title challenge - the Anfield didn’t and Suarez has repaid him.” again next Club are behind leaders Manchester City Rush, who was Footballer of the Year in on goal difference with two matches 1984, also praised Suarez for his work-rate remaining. Suarez polled 52 per cent of the saying he had a huge influence on the season: Wenger vote of around 300 members. Last year he Liverpool team attempting to win the title LONDON: Arsenal manag- polled two votes. for the first time since 1990. er Arsene Wenger has told “He did only receive two votes last sea- “He has been absolutely incredible with fans they have not seen son,” FWA chairman Andy Dunn Dunn told the amount of goals he has got and the the last of him after he Sky Sports, “although there was a assists he has got,” said Rush. “But more ensured another top four groundswell of support for him last season, importantly than that is the hard work he Premier League finish and but our voting opened just 12 hours after has put it. I think he has made a big differ- a spot in the Champions the biting incident at Anfield, so that was ence to Liverpool’s players - not just him- League. Wenger’s contract taken into account.” self.” expires at the end of the The FWA award is not only based on a The FWA award is the oldest of its kind campaign and the 64- player’s achievements on the pitch, but in world football and was first awarded in year-old Frenchman has also on their behaviour and example 1948 with Stanley Matthews the first recipi- yet to sign a new one throughout the season and Dunn contin- ent.—Reuters amid growing complaints from the terraces that it might be time for a change after 18 years of Arsenal’s manager Juve seek to make his stewardship. Arsene Wenger ARGENTINA: River Plate’s forward Giovanni Simeone (right) vies for the ball with The last nine of those impact in Europe Racing Club’s defender Yonathan Cabral during their Argentine First Division foot- have not seen them win a trophy but Wenger was steadfast in ball match. —AFP his commitment after they were handed fourth spot following ITALY: Juventus, winners of a third successive ing. However, with Pirlo past his 35th birthday Everton’s 3-2 home loss to league leaders Manchester City on title on Sunday, must now decide and Conte determined to avoid complacency, River Plate defeat Racing Saturday. whether the formula which has given them a the club may be tempted to shake up the “Look at me,” he told reporters, arms outstretched when firm grip on Italian football will keep working team, especially if they want European suc- BUENOS AIRES: River Plate goalkeeper ‘keeper Sebastian Saja. asked whether he would definitely be in charge for next season. for another season and make an impact in the cess. Leandro Chichizola saved a penalty in sec- On Saturday, Estudiantes improved to “You will see me again. “Don’t be impatient. My last time will Champions League. The biggest question mark hangs over the ond half injury time to help the Buenos third - two points behind Gimnasia - with a come. You will get rid of me one day, don’t worry.” With most of their rivals mired in financial future of 21-year-old midfielder Pogba, who Aires club to a 3-2 win over Racing and 2-0 win against Colon, while Godoy Cruz Wenger’s comments came after a Sunday stroll in the sun as difficulties or administrative chaos, Juventus, has blossomed since joining two seasons ago move level with Gimnasia at the top of dropped to fourth - also two points off the they despatched struggling West Bromwich Albion 1-0 at the one of the few top teams using a 3-5-2 forma- from Manchester United, where he failed to Argentina’s first division. leaders - after its 1-1 draw with Velez Emirates in their final home game of the season. tion, did more than repeat the recipe they make the team. Gimnasia drew 0-0 with Lanus earlier Sarsfield. But it was not an entirely cheerful mood in North London used for the previous two seasons as they Although Juventus have identified him as Sunday, but remain ahead of River on goal In other games Saturday, Rosario drew with some fans protesting outside of the ground at the growing won a record 30th league title. a potential successor to Pirlo, some of difference with only two rounds remaining 0-0 with Olimpo and San Lorenzo defeated costs of watching the team as the sung “Arsenal till I’m skint”. Juventus have been remarkably stable Europe’s biggest clubs have also shown inter- before a new champion is crowned. Rafaela 2-0. On Friday, Quilmes won 1-0 They also unveiled banners that read “record commercial deals during the last three years. Gianluigi Buffon est and there has been speculation that Real In other results on Sunday, Boca Juniors against Argentinos Juniors, with Tigre play- + greedy owners = poorer fans”. Revenues have been a hot top- has been almost ever-present in goal with Madrid and Paris St Germain would both be defeated All Boys 3-1 and Arsenal over- ing Belgrano on Monday in the final game ic at Arsenal, with British media reports suggesting a renewal defenders Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci prepared to pay up to 70 million euros came Newell’s Old Boys 3-2. Fernando of the round.—AP for Wenger would only come if Arsenal ensured another season and Giorgio Chiellini nearly always forming ($97.06 million) for the Frenchman. Cavenaghi opened the scoring for River in the Champions League. “No no, its not linked to that at all,” the three-man defence. Juventus might find that sort of money Plate from the penalty spot in the 25th Wenger said. “It was of course important to be in the The midfield has invariably featured too good to resist, although general manager minute, with Diego Villar getting on the Champions League, that is for sure, but I have told you many Switzerland’s and Giuseppe Marotta insisted on Sunday that end of a free kick to equalize for Racing in Matches on TV times it is not linked to my commitment, linked to the fact that I feel I am useful. “I told you many times that my word is my Ghana’s on the flanks, with Pogba would be staying. the 38th. Colombian Carlos Carbonero fired (Local Timings) three out of , , “It’s unthinkable that he would leave,” in from the edge of the penalty area two word. I am from a period where you did not need a pen to com- and forming a fluid Marotta told Sky Sport Italia. “Paul is intelli- minutes before halftime and then set up mit.” But questions have been raised whether it should be sim- triangle in the middle. gent and knows that he has the chance to Cavenaghi for his second and River’s third English Premier League ply down to Wenger if he wants to stay. He celebrated 1,000 The only big change this season has been improve here.” “We’ll sit down calmly with in the 54th. games in a charge of the club this season but the milestone day in attack where the fixed Carlos Tevez- Conte next week,” he added. “We’re proud of Gabriel Hauche pulled one back for Man United v Hull City 21:45 ended in regrettable fashion with a 6-0 humiliation at London partnership has replaced our coach, one of the best in the world. He’s Racing in the 73rd, before Chichizola dived BeIN SPORTS 9 HD rivals Chelsea, ending their challenge for the league, which they the previous season’s chopping and chang- part of Juventus’ patrimony.”—Reuters left to save the penalty taken by Racing led by seven points at one stage.—Reuters