FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018 15

Vidal fined 800,000 euros for Munich Bolt rejects Maltese club offer nightclub fight AFP | Berlin AFP | Sydney are waiting for governing body Football Federation Australia arcelona midfielder print superstar Usain Bolt to decide whether it will con- BArturo Vidal has been has turned down a contract tribute to a potential Aus$3 mil- hit with a 800,000 euros Sfrom Maltese champions lion (US$2.1 million) offer to the ($921,812) fine by a Munich and will remain in Aus- KNOW WHAT 100m world record holder. court after being found tralia to pursue his dream of be- Sydney’s Daily Telegraph yes- guilty of assault during a coming a professional footballer, terday reported Bolt and Miel- nightclub fight last year. his agent said yesterday. ekamp sat down for a coffee in Munich district court The eight-time Olympic the wake of the offer for fined the Chile internation- champion has been on trial with Usain Bolt, who re- clarity on his future. al based on 80 days worth A-League club the Central Coast tired from athletics It said the 32-year-old, who of wages, calculated to be Mariners since arriving Down last year, has previ- regards Australia as a second 10,000 euros per day for the Under in August. ously tried out with home, might consider accepting Barcelona player, who left He scored two goals in a clubs in Germany, less money if it means locking in Bayern Munich in August pre-season friendly last Friday South Africa and a contract. after three years with the but is yet to be offered a deal, Norway to no avail Coach Mike Mulvey was re- German giants. with cashed-up Valletta dan- luctant yesterday to talk about The 31-year-old was not in gling a two-year trial-free con- Bolt, saying he was not involved court in Munich to hear the tract to entice him away earlier ston Slimen told the broadcast- in contract negotiations. judge’s verdict as he played this week. er: “We wish Usain Bolt all the “I’m really not interested in in Chile’s 1-0 win over Mex- But Bolt’s agent Ricky Simms best with his football career. The it (contract speculation) to tell ico on Wednesday, which said he had opted against a move Valletta FC offer is always on the you the truth,” he told reporters. “professionally prevented” to the Maltese table.” “He’s been great among the his appearance in Bavaria, team, which is backed by a group Australia’s domestic A-League guys and I was very happy for his lawyer said. of investors from the Sanban season starts this weekend, with him last week with the two goals Vidal and his half-brother Group in the United Arab Emir- the Mariners in action on Sun- he scored, but we move on.” were both found guilty after ates. day away to Brisbane Roar. With Mariners captain Matt Si - attacking another man at “There is a lot of interest in no contract, Bolt is not eligible mon dismissed suggestions the Munich’s Crowns Club in Usain playing football,” he told for selection. chronicles of Bolt were distract- September 2017, which was ESPN. Club chief executive Shaun ing the squad ahead of their reportedly caught on secu- “We regularly receive similar Mielekamp said this week the A-League opener. rity camera. approaches. I can confirm Usain Jamaican “will continue his in- “He’s been here for a couple does not wish to pursue this op- Usain Bolt, playing for A-League football club Central Coast Mariners, shouts for definite training period ... until of months now, so everywhere portunity in Malta.” the ball in his first competitive start for the club against Macarthur South West any further notice”. we go with Usain, everyone’s Valletta chief executive Ghas- United in Sydney Reports suggest the Mariners talking about him,” Simon said. Pochettino happy with Spurs squad despite no signings Rooney on target again as Higuain not bitter despite AFP | London United close on ottenham manager TMauricio Pochettino Juve trading up with Ronaldo has no regrets over failing to add to his squad in the AFP | Milan that they were trying to find a from Milan and they convinced close season, saying his solution. The best solution was me.” team’s impressive start to C Milan striker Gonzalo Milan.” Higuain -- who will take part the Premier League cam- AHiguain said yesterday he But Higuain said that he felt in his first derby against city paign justifies the decision. was not bitter despite being no thoughts of revenge against rivals Inter Milan on Sunday -- Spurs, who became the “kicked out” by Juventus after his old club where he won two has scored four goals for Milan first side not to make a superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s and Italian Cup tro - to bring his tally to 115 since his summer signing since the arrival last summer. phies. arrival in Serie A in 2013 from transfer window was estab- Juventus signed Higuain “No, not at all. I only feel af- Real Madrid. lished, have equalled their from Napoli for 90 million fection because they treated me “Milan have given me some- best-ever start in the Pre- euros ($103 million) in 2016, very well,” said the 30-year-old. thing more after a World Cup mier League, with 18 points but after the surprise arrival “My teammates and the fans which wasn’t great,” he said. from eight games. of Ronaldo from Real Madrid treated me really well, but I “I’ve found what I was look- Chairman Daniel Levy D.C. United forward Wayne Rooney (9) scores a goal on a free kick against for 100 million euros ($115m) never asked to leave. Basically, ing for.” hinted this week in a meet- Toronto FC this summer, the Italian giants as everyone says, they kicked Higuain joined Napoli in ing with the Tottenham fans could not afford to keep the me out. 2013 after six years with Real that he was content with AFP | Washington Conference standings. Argentine. “I immediately felt great love Madrid where he won three La the club’s summer activity Montreal, who are just out- Higuain -- loaned to AC Milan Liga titles. and Pochettino agreed with ayne Rooney scored a side the postseason places in with a 36-million-euro option But he blamed Napoli presi- him. Wstunning free-kick to seventh, have 43 points from to buy -- said he knew some- dent Aurelio De Laurentiis for “It was difficult to achieve keep D.C. United firmly on 42 games. thing was afoot when he was My teammates leaving the club on bad terms. the player we needed,” course for the Major League United are now unbeaten in left on the bench for the Italian and the fans “(Ezequiel) Lavezzi left Pochettino said. “That was Soccer postseason on Wednes- eight games and are in control Cup final against AC Milan in on bad terms, (Edinson) impossible. I was happy and day with a 1-0 victory over To- of their playoff destiny with May. treated me Cavani the same. With am happy with the squad ronto FC. two rounds of fixtures in the “That day, I had the feeling really well, (coach Maurizio) Sarri on that I have, 25 players. Former England and Man- regular season left to play. inside me that maybe some - but I never the bench he was already chester United Rooney, Rooney’s side face New York thing had broken down. And asked to leave. contacting another whose arrival in Washington City FC on Sunday before clos- then they signed Ronaldo,” Basically, as coach. has transformed the club’s sea- ing the season against Chicago Higuain said in an interview everyone says, Man United’s Shaw son, curled in a superb strike on October 28. with Gazzetto dello Sport. they kicked me from 30 yards in the 18th min- United’s playoff charge has “The decision to leave was agrees new five- ute to settle the points. been traced back to Rooney’s not mine. I gave everything for out year contract The victory leaves United arrival in July. The 32-year-old Juventus, I won several titles, GONZALO HIGUAIN four points clear of Montreal former England captain called after which Cristiano arrived. Reuters | London Impact, their closest rivals for time on his Premier League “The club wanted to make a playoff spot, with 47 points career earlier this year after a leap in quality and they told anchester United de- from 32 games in the Eastern leaving Everton. me that I could not stay and Mfender Luke Shaw has agreed a new five-year con- tract at the Premier League Gonzalo club after a strong start to Arsene Higuain Wenger Wenger expects to be back in work by January the season, according to British media reports. Reuters | London ed and am ready to work again. over the world.” Shaw’s United career has “I believe (I will) start again on Wenger won three Premier been interrupted by poor ormer Arsenal manager Jan. 1. I don’t know (where) yet,” the League titles at Arsenal but his form and injuries since FArsene Wenger expects Frenchman told German newspaper final years at the north London he joined the club from to be back in work in the Bild in an interview published on club were more turbulent. Southampton for 27 million New Year and has fielded Wednesday. He endured a barrage of crit- pounds ($35.37 million) in enquiries from all over “There are associations, national icism from fans and pundits 2014, but the 23-year-old the world, he told Ger- teams, it could be also in Japan,” in the latter part of his reign has started seven league man newspaper Bild. added the 68-year-old who coached for his tactical approach and games and scored one goal Wenger, who left Ar- Japanese club Nagoya Grampus perceived failings in the this season. senal in May after 22 Eight before joining Arsenal. transfer market as the Lon- The BBC reported that years in charge, said he “From my 22 years at Arsenal, I don club went 14 seasons the left-back’s new deal did not know what his next have big experience on different without lifting the Premier would see him earn 150,000 job would be but he felt rest- levels. There are enquiries from all League trophy. pounds a week.